Do Geckos Like Change?

[john15882]

I was just tending to the kids, moving them around their new room and appreciating their different set ups. Every cage is a little different and each have their benefits, so I was wondering...

Do geckos like change?

If I swapped them out between enclosures every few months would they enjoy it or would it be stressful to them.

Or after I clean their enclosures should I put back everything the way I found it or should I rearrange it so that it has a new feel to it?

Just curious to hear some thoughts on the subject...

[Jaybee]

While you can change things up a bit every very very so often, if you have to, I have noticed that when I make a larger change in enclosure my geckos will often go off food for a little while.

We don't understand the reptilian brain enough to know whether big changes thrill them, freak them out, or something else, but I would lean more towards being cautious and keeping things as similar as possible.

Smaller changes that I have found fairly well-accepted are buying a new flavor of CGD to try or mixing up a fruit treat for them occasionally. The dish is still fed in the same spot, so they can find it, but the food tastes different! And then there are even geckos that don't take well to changes in food, haha...

[john15882]

Thanks for the input, I was thinking along the same lines. I think I will just introduce different decor every now and again. That way they are still in their same set up but have something new to explore. lol

In the end I am sure they could care less either way. Just so long as they have a safe comfortable place to chill with some food.

[Emilylovesherps]

At the zoo, we call this enrichment. We put a TON of research into keeping animals happy and stimulated in their enclosures. The biggest hit with lizards? Besides "nutritional" enrichment (real fruits as a treat, different kinds of buggies to try), smells (sensory) are #1. Take some perfume and spray or dab just a lil bit on a kleenex, ball it up and put it in the tank. Fresh cut, clean browse from outside is also fun (you may have to research what plants are safe in your area and clean with bleach and rinse first). One more suggestion is to get different food extracts from the store and dab those in places. Of course, you will have the most fun watching them react to the smells at night. My geckos enjoy almond extract and coconut, since I have these just lying around. I would love it if y'all tried these things and PM me with what reactions you get!!!

Oh, and Jaybee knows all too well what some of her geckos do to her hand when they smell other geckos . . . lol . . . so this is enriching for Jaybee too (Negative enrichment is still enrichment)

[lauraleellbp]

Oh, and Jaybee knows all too well what some of her geckos do to her hand when they smell other geckos . . . lol . . . so this is enriching for Jaybee too (Negative enrichment is still enrichment)

ROTF!

[Jaybee]

Oh, and Jaybee knows all too well what some of her geckos do to her hand when they smell other geckos . . . lol . . . so this is enriching for Jaybee too (Negative enrichment is still enrichment)

Negative? Whatchu talkin' about, I make a mint off of filming gecko-on-hand porn. The fetish exists and people are willing to pay for it.

[rhatfield]

I would think changing things around in their own tank is fine. Mine seem to appreciate it when I change out the paper toweling. I would strongly consider switching tanks, you just can't get the scent of other geckos out of it.

MMM I will have to try the scent enrichment. I bet they would like having new things to explore/experience. I bet they would like rose petals

[john15882]

At the zoo, we call this enrichment. We put a TON of research into keeping animals happy and stimulated in their enclosures. The biggest hit with lizards? Besides "nutritional" enrichment (real fruits as a treat, different kinds of buggies to try), smells (sensory) are #1. Take some perfume and spray or dab just a lil bit on a kleenex, ball it up and put it in the tank. Fresh cut, clean browse from outside is also fun (you may have to research what plants are safe in your area and clean with bleach and rinse first). One more suggestion is to get different food extracts from the store and dab those in places. Of course, you will have the most fun watching them react to the smells at night. My geckos enjoy almond extract and coconut, since I have these just lying around. I would love it if y'all tried these things and PM me with what reactions you get!!!

Oh, and Jaybee knows all too well what some of her geckos do to her hand when they smell other geckos . . . lol . . . so this is enriching for Jaybee too (Negative enrichment is still enrichment)

I like these idea's. The only thing I am familiar with is vanilla extract. For a treat I will give them mashed up fruit and they love it. I really like the perfume idea too, since my girl has so much of it. Where do you get almond and coconut extract from?

I like the idea of keep them entertained and happy. So, I am always looking for new ways to stimulate them. Only my younger kids tend to eat crickets but most of the adults could care less. They are more interested in their fruit or CGD. Maybe, I will try some other bugs too.

[john15882]

Negative? Whatchu talkin' about, I make a mint off of filming gecko-on-hand porn. The fetish exists and people are willing to pay for it.

Lol, I like it. Looks like your starting a whole new trend. It can be a Gecko porn substitution, for when your are trying to lay off your habit.

[Grublet]

One of my males will completely stop eating even if I only make a slight change, so I try to keep things in pretty much the same place for them.