Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've noticed:
1.) my DHL's tails often wiggle AFTER they've just eaten an ant (I've seen other lizards do this while stalking prey...but not after catching it), and
2.) they often kind of ratchet their jaws, after eating an ant.

Am wondering whether anyone knows the meaning/cause, in the wild, for the tail wiggling . . . and. . .

what about the jaw ratcheting? Are the ants biting them as they're being eaten?

Does anyone/everyone else's HL's exibit this behavior also?

Thanks in advance for your input.
Rebecca

:Tail wagging, stalking and after capture of prey, is a behavior most people have seldom seen. It is common with the horned lizards, at least with the 6 different species I have worked with over the years. The "gulping" after eating also seems to be commom. It may be a reflex to aid in swallowing the prey item. The behavior of tail wagging seems to be one of the excitement of a pending capture and pleasure of the capture. This may be over simplification and projection, but it is not a beneficial behavior in approaching an intended prey item with the motion. The motion of tail wagging may also be beneficial in distracting the prey items attention. Either way, it is an interesting behavior.
Lester G. Milroy III

Interesting . . . and cute as heck too! The tail wiggles I mean. I THOUGHT it seemed like an expression of delight but, was hesitant to suggest what others may perceive as an anthropomorphic cause. I’ve often seen my leopard geckos tail waggle while stalking (BEFORE capture) but my DHL’s only wiggle after they’ve eaten.

Good to know the gulping is common too. Since I’m feeding harvester ants (as recommended) and both HL's are adults, didn’t really think there was a problem. . . . but confirmation of that fact is nice to have.
Thanks so much,
Rebecca

Mine do this as well (the tail wagging), and one in particular does it so vigorously his whole body shakes. He does it both before and after capturing prey. It does look very cute and very much like a display of great pleasure. However...I've also seen them do the exact same thing when stressed or frightened. So, while I also like to imagine that it's a really happy HL enjoying his meal (and sometimes tell people that's what it is) , I think it's more just a display of excitement/anxiety. Anything that raises the tension (good or bad) seems to illicit the behavior, at least in those that do it the most. Very much like tail shaking in colubrid snakes. Some of mine will do it before, during, and after feeding, and also whenever they are startled. Either way, with the HLs it's still fun to watch.

Such great info both you and Les have provided. I'll keep all this in mind as I continue to observe their behavior.