Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm trying to get a handle on the personalities of various reptiles to update a pet care manuscript I'm working on. Mammals, not a problem. I'm a mammal. I can think like a mammal. But a reptile?

I've often heard Leos and Beardies described as being "friendly." Having met a few Beardies, I was absolutely floored to find "friendly" in mammal-type terms looking back at me from a lizard. I talked to the Beardie, it cocked its head and seemed to listen. I walked to the other end of the tank. It followed me. It passed right by its food dish - so I'm doubting it was hungry. It was... odd, to say the least.

I have never met a Leo. I do keep hearing them bandied about as the best starter lizard for children - again, because of relatively easy care and that "friendly" thing. But I also keep hearing that herps in general should NOT be handled often... so I am confused.

Please explain lizard "personality" to me?

~Chris

Well, beardies, leos, and corns snakes are all suggested started and "kid" reptiles because they can take a lot of harassment as we humans get things right. They also tolerate handling well, but are still considered "display" animals. So really we are looking at animals that, on average, probably shouldn't be handled more than once a week. Now, obviously, that is average, I know leos that would come explore any chance they get.

As for personality, I can tell you I get into herping and will always have a leopard gecko because, in my opinion they can be the "ham"s of the gecko world. Each one has a complete different personality and if you spend even a little time with them you will see it. Most people who would never dream of owning an "icky" animal like that fall in love with our girls and their antics. Remember, even if you don't necessarily handle them every day, you interact with they through the enclosure...

Look down a few threads, I started a thread called "A Fun Thread"

http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=1416317,1416317

Where we each told a few stories about our hams. I also keep a crested gecko, a little bit more difficult to keep, but she has gecko ADD and is a football nut. In fact, she will sit next to her food bowl eating and watching until half time. Then she will come over to stare at me like it is my fault they stopped playing or she suspects I changed the channel. If you'd like to read the crested gecko version of the story thread it is here as well:

http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=1416310,1416310

Hope this helps.

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0.1 Albino Leo Gecko
0.1 Crested Gecko
1.0 Dear Boyfriend
Departed: Harvey and Spock

Holy gecko, I really need to use preview, sorry for all the typing mistakes, please forgive me, I've been up 35 hours and now will send myself to bed....
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0.1 Albino Leo Gecko
0.1 Crested Gecko
1.0 Dear Boyfriend
Departed: Harvey and Spock

I think the big thing that separates mammals and reptiles is the PLAY factor.Reptiles dont play.They may appear to play but are actually just reacting to a food drive(chasing) or other instinct(watching or snuggling cause your hand is warm).I know my lizards.Especially my Bluetongue,she has "moods" and I have learned to read them.She does occasionally want out of her enclosure to hang around but she doesnt really react with pleasure to me.So I guess you can say she has a personality,if she is grumpy(feeling insecure due to shedding) or being more social(looking for something interesting to eat).
Mammals like dogs or cats or even birds, will play with me.Do things just for the sheer enjoyment/fun of doing it.
My leos have different "personalities" one is shy and doesnt like being picked up the other tolerates being held but will run and hide if he gets the chance.I hand feed them and they react to me opening the glass door and come out for food.But they dont love me.They are not pack animals so they dont feel the need to protect me or be loyal.So what is the definition for personality? Just my uneducated opinion so take it for what its worth.
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I think that sums it up quite nicely. Nice work.
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0.2 Leopard Geckos (Fire and Mello)
0.0.1 Blue Tongue Skink (Smoot)

I guess it is all in how you define "play" and "loyalty" on some level and perhaps maybe how much time you spend interacting with your leo? My boyfriend has recounted many times that even the most surly of gecko at least sees a human hand as "warm moving terrain" and on some level that is true. I will concede that "we bring the crickets" and they "tolerate" our handling so long as the crickets flow... But here is the but...

On other hand, allow me to admit something I haven't here before, I have a painful chronic illness, one of those "invisible" ones where unless you live with me or see me on a day when I am not pretending to be normal, you'd never know I had. Many mammals have been trained (and some just instinctually do this) can detect illness and suffering in their companion humans. Like dogs trained to notice early signs of seizures for instance.

But here is the catch, my grumpy old leo now spends 99% (or darn near) in the cave system we bought for her. We basically never she her. She'll even hunt crickets by just sitting inside the cave mouth with her head out and wait for them to come by. So when do I see her? When I am having the most horrible of days, when I can't even go on, she'll be out on top of her other hide where I can most easily pick her up, even if it is a day that my condition won't let me handle her. And she will sit there until I leave the room, whether I am just sitting there, or talking to her, or on the phone talking to someone else. She just watches me. I'm sure it could be explained scientifically, I have a couple of those degrees laying around here after all... but I find it odd when I need the company the most she's the first one there. Sure, perhaps she picks up some hormonal change and is only worried about the supply of crickets, but I'd like to think maybe she does have, at least a little, bond with me.

Of course, one might also suggest that different people relate differently to different animals. I was never as close to my childhood pet rabbit as I was to my boyfriend's first leopard gecko. Perhaps my energy just vibrates on a level compatible to leos whereas someone else can relate better to ferrets.

Interesting discussion though, philosophy is a big change from the usual topics.
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0.1 Albino Leo Gecko
0.1 Crested Gecko
1.0 Dear Boyfriend
Departed: Harvey and Spock

No offense, but why are you writing a care manual that includes something you have no experience with?

I'd heard and read how they are wonderful pets, but I never imagined they could be as friendly as my son's is. Within weeks of bringing him home we'd hold up a mealworm to him and he'd snatch it out of our hand. He's extremely curious about whatever's going on in my son's room. Especially if our 2 dogs are wrestling around on the floor he's at the front of his tank watching. The other day he and our female dog were just sitting there looking at eachother through the glass. When he's not in a sleepy or hungry mood, he "follows" after your hand while you're working in his cage, to climb up for a ride. I've read so much that you're not supposed to handle them too much, but the little guy is the one who initiates the contact. He seems to like being out with us. Unfortunately, his favorite time to come out is when we're trying to get our kids ready for school or trying to get them in bed - so we don't have much time for him then.