Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all,
Today I got two approx 2 month old Cresties. I tried to snap a few pics and one jumped out of the deli cup. I got it on my hand and put it back into the deli cup. I started to freak out then went limp and acted like it was dying. I left it alone for a while and went to check back and it now seems fine.
The other Crestie seems fine and didn't react like that.

Do Crested Geckos play "dead" as a defense mechanism??

Thanks.

Sounds like it had a heart attack to me. lol

IDK but he is fine which is cool. maybe someone with more knowledge can help.

When I retrieve my hatchlings from the incubator after hatching, they act "dead" as in they are stiff as a board and don't move or react when they are lifted, then after a few seconds to a few minutes (depending on the individual gecko) they "come to life" and go absolutely bonkers lol. I figured in these cases I've just woken them up after an exhausting hatch.

I haven't seen them play dead at any other time in their lives though, so I'd keep an eye on your little fella just in case.

I have seen my tokay play dead. I hold him on almost a daily basis (with gloves of course, trying to tame him) and two times I have placed him back into his tank, and he just lies there on his side motionless. I freaked out the first time, so i poked him and he bit me and ran up the glass. The second time i knew what to do and poked him, and he just ran away. He hasn't done it for a long time. I think it might be a defense mechanism in certain geckos. My cresteds and leos have never done it. Hope this helps to ease your mind.

Thanks all.
It seems fine for now. I will not handle that one and just keep monitoring it.