Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My male is very skittish...whenever he gets disturbed or scared he uncontrollably runs around his cage. He'll run one direction until he hits the glass, either turn and keep running or scamper up the side of the tank. Is this a personality thing or a possible health-problem? Thanks alot

Does he hit the glass in a manic fashion, out of control, or just run to the glass and up it?

Manic behavior I have seen in overheated geckos, they throw themselves trying to get out/ cooler. I would check your temps first. Then I would check the stimulus in the room, especially at night. Sounds like a stressed out gecko. Cresties can be quite flighty as juvi's, but not manic. Check back with us.
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0.1 Albino Leo Gecko
0.1 Crested Gecko
1.0 Dear Boyfriend
Departed: Harvey and Spock

Yeah it is more of an out of control reaction. I'm pretty sure its not overheating though. His cage never gets hotter than 80...usually somewhere between 70 and 76ish. Any other ideas?

I have found that some Crested Geckos (I have around 80) do tend to be a lot more ''flighty'' than others.

However if he is freaking while in the tank and your just moving around ,I would bet he needs more cover . He should feel secure enough in his tank to simply freeze and think you wont see him.

If he freaks when you go to feed him, that could be helped with a little handling each day.He has to come to understand opening up the lid isnt because its your feeding time and he wont be harmed.
www.cnyreptileshow.com

Good ideas, especially the cover, we hard ever see setups here with enough leaves or even a hide.

I can't remember if I posted this before, but what about lighting? Are their lots of lights on and around the gecko at night? That could also cause some confusion, also if the lights are always being turned on and off and the gecko might be sensitive to that.

The gecko isn't next to anyone else? Just trying to think of outlandish things here, but maybe if you had a snake or something nearby that was threatening to the gecko. We keep our different species next to each other and have only had to put up a "privacy" screen (piece of paper) a few times, but it just happened this week when our crested was being very aggressive. (She doesn't understand there are TWO sheets of glass between her and her neighbor's crickets.)

I'm guessing if the gecko is that jumpy you're not handling it too much... boy, it seems strange if it is not one of the ideas already presented. Try some gentle handling one a week for a while and make sure you've got everything else down. Might be a "hot" gecko, but boy, just seems odd. Good luck!
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0.1 Albino Leo Gecko
0.1 Crested Gecko
1.0 Dear Boyfriend
Departed: Harvey and Spock

I here by apologize to the grammar and spelling chaos gods.

I don't think it is even possible for me to have made anymore mistakes than I did in that last post. I really should get more sleep and not post 5 mins after waking up. I hope I will be forgiven after being flogged... tell me again why we can't edit? I am deeply ashamed and will lose all board credit now.
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0.1 Albino Leo Gecko
0.1 Crested Gecko
1.0 Dear Boyfriend
Departed: Harvey and Spock

Thanks for the very good ideas and suggestions. I think the 'more cover/folage' is most likely the route i need to take. He has no neighbors and I handle him a few times a week...so i will try and make it so he feels more hidden and less like he needs to escape.