Why Is My Leopard Gecko Angry? Understanding Their Behavior

Leopard geckos are usually calm and docile pets, but they can exhibit aggressive behaviors like gaping their mouth, lunging, or tail whipping when they feel threatened or stressed. If your leopard gecko seems angry, it’s important to understand the potential causes so you can make them feel secure and content again.

Common Reasons for Leopard Gecko Anger or Aggression

Territoriality or Encroachment on Their Space

Leopard geckos are solitary creatures that like having their own clearly defined territory (about 20 gallons of space per gecko). When another gecko invades their area or a human reaches in to grab them, it can trigger a territorial response of gaping, hissing, or biting (Reptiles Magazine).

This reaction aims to scare the intruder away and reestablish the boundaries of their preferred habitat.

Handling Stress

Frequent handling when a leopard gecko is young can make it calmer as an adult. But too much unwanted grabbing, petting, or holding can overwhelm them. Geckos may get an angry look in their eyes, jerk away, or nip due to stimulation stress. Respect their body language when interacting.

Let them walk from hand to hand instead of restraining them.

Health Issues Like Metabolic Bone Disease

MBD and other health problems can cause geckos discomfort, pain, and irritation that translates into aggressive behavior like biting. Ensure proper supplements and heating so they can process calcium. Get an exam if aggression arises suddenly with no clear reason.

Underlying physical troubles likely need treatment.

Hunger or Competition Over Food

Leopard geckos can be voracious eaters. If one suspects a rival might grab their meal first or feels generally hungry due to insufficient feedings, anger and food guarding can occur. Make sure each gecko has their own dish and feeding space. Supply enough insects so everyone feels satisfied.

This lessens the need to spar over a scarce resource.

Incorrect Tank Conditions and Environment

Geckos like things a certain way. Tank requirements include:

• Proper hot and cool temperature zones
• Hide boxes for security and relief from stress
• Enrichments like foliage, branches, etc.
• Substrate that supports healthy digging/burrowing

If the habitat falls short, displeasure and lashing out can happen. Ensure optimal setups to avoid angry reactions. Check if aggression links to recent environmental changes.

Signs Your Leopard Gecko Is Angry or Aggressive

Gaping Mouth and Hissing

One of the most obvious signs of an angry or upset leopard gecko is gaping its mouth and hissing. This is often accompanied by shaking the tail and body. It’s a defensive behavior meant to scare away potential predators and show that they feel threatened.

Leopard geckos may hiss when they feel cornered, when you reach into their enclosure, or when encountering another gecko they don’t like. It’s best to avoid contacting your gecko if they are gaping and hissing to prevent frightening them further or risking a bite.

Lunging or Attempting to Bite

Leopard geckos that lunge at your hand or attempt to bite are clearly indicating they are angry, threatened, or defensive. This behavior may be preceded by gaping, hissing, and body shaking. Geckos typically only bite when they feel they have no other option, so this behavior points to your gecko feeling highly distressed.

Give them space and evaluate what may be causing them stress in their habitat. Frequent handling when a gecko doesn’t want it or overly crowded enclosures can provoke biting.

Tail Whipping

Tail whipping or wagging is another common sign of an upset or angry leopard gecko. They will quickly move their tails back and forth in a whipping motion. This is meant to startle potential predators and communicate irritation or fear. It often accompanies hissing, gaping, and attempts to bite.

Tail whipping indicates your gecko wants to be left alone and needs more space. Try to avoid contacting or handling them until they have calmed down.

Puffing Up Body

When leopard geckos feel threatened, they will puff up or flatten their entire body to appear larger to predators. This reaction is triggered by fear and stress. A puffed up leopard gecko may also darken in color.

Give your gecko space and make sure their habitat has plenty of hiding spots and clutter they can feel secure in. If they frequently appear stressed with a puffed up stance, reassess elements of their habitat and care. Removing new geckos or habitat accessories they dislike can help.

Darkening Color

You may notice your leopard gecko’s color becoming much darker when they are upset or feel threatened. This is caused by pigment dispersing in specialized skin cells called chromatophores. By darkening their color, leopard geckos hope to blend into their surroundings, avoid being noticed by predators, and be less vulnerable.

A stressed gecko may appear nearly black when aggravated. Ensure your gecko has warm hiding spots to feel secure, avoid overhandling, and eliminate any cage mates or objects causing them distress.

Tips to Calm Down an Angry Leopard Gecko

Give Them Space and Don’t Handle Them

When a leopard gecko is stressed or angry, it’s best to leave them alone and not try to handle or touch them. Forcing interaction will only make them more upset. Give them some quiet time in their enclosure to destress. Limit opening their tank and reaching inside until they seem calmer.

Ensure Proper Tank Size and Conditions

An ideal leopard gecko tank is a 20 gallon long tank for one gecko, and 10 gallons more per extra gecko if housing multiple together. Make sure the temperature ranges from 75-90°F with a warm hide at 90°F and a cold hide at 75°F. The humidity should be around 40-60%.

Proper lighting, heating, and substrate are also essential. Fix any issues with the tank conditions as this is often a source of stress.

Feed a Nutritious Diet on a Regular Schedule

Feeding a consistent diet at the same times each day can help reduce anger and stress. Adult leopard geckos eat 3-4 live crickets or mealworms daily. Make sure to gutload feeder insects and use calcium/vitamin supplements.

Their appetite can decrease with stress, but getting proper nutrition helps them feel better.

Slowly Work on Handling to Prevent Stress

Once the gecko seems calmer, begin handling again slowly. Let them walk from hand to hand without restraint. Pet them softly along their back and head, avoiding the tail. Keep handling sessions brief at first. Increase duration and frequency as they get more comfortable.

This helps reduce fear of humans over time.

Provide Plenty of Hides and Enrichment

Having adequate hides and accessories makes geckos feel secure. Provide a moist hide on the warm side to aid shedding. Add branches, leafy fake plants, rocks and logs for climbing and enrichment. Rotate new items monthly to keep their environment interesting.

A happy gecko is less likely to be angry and stressed.

When to See a Reptile Veterinarian for Behavior Issues

Persistent Aggressive or Angry Behavior

Leopard geckos are typically quite docile creatures. However, if your gecko is showing frequent aggressive or angry behavior such as lunging, biting, tail whipping, or gaping their mouth, this abnormal behavior warrants a veterinary visit (Reptile Direct).

An aggressive gecko that persists in attacking your hand when you clean their tank or change their food is not normal. This type of behavior can indicate an underlying health issue causing pain or discomfort.

Significant Changes in Behavior or Activity Levels

You know your leopard gecko’s normal behavior better than anyone. If you notice major changes in their typical activity patterns or behavior, don’t hesitate to make a vet appointment. For example, if a previously active gecko turns lethargic and hides all day, something could be wrong.

Or if a normally shy gecko becomes suddenly aggressive, seek veterinary advice. Catching subtle behavior shifts early allows diagnosis and treatment of any illness (Pangea Reptile).

Weight Loss or Lack of Appetite

Appetite and weight tend to go hand-in-hand for leopard geckos. If your gecko stops eating for more than a few days and loses weight rapidly, promptly contact your exotic vet. Weight and muscle loss can progress quickly in reptiles when they stop eating.

Determining and addressing the root cause early is crucial. Your vet will examine your underweight gecko for causes like mouth rot, gastrointestinal blockages, parasites, reproductive issues, and other problems leading to inappetence.

Visible Signs of Illness or Injury

While leopard geckos are experts at hiding illness, there are sometimes clear symptoms that something is wrong. According to the Center for Avian and Exotic Medicine, these include:

• Lumps, swelling, or abnormal skin growths
• Increased breathing rate or effort
• Discharge from the nose or mouth
• Abnormal feces
• Loss of use of a limb
• Loss of tail or toes

Make an appointment right away if you observe any worrying physical symptoms in your pet gecko. Catching exotic pet illnesses early greatly improves the chances of successful treatment and full recovery.

Conclusion

In summary, leopard geckos normally have a calm demeanor, but may display anger or aggression when stressed, frightened, or unwell. By ensuring proper husbandry and handling techniques, providing an enriching habitat, and addressing any underlying health issues, you can prevent your leopard gecko from feeling on edge.

Pay attention to behavioral shifts in case veterinary guidance becomes necessary. With some adjustments to care and environment, an angry gecko can regain their normally docile personality.