Some animals love being around other animals, while others don’t. This is why one of the things to put into consideration if you are planning to buy more than one leopard gecko is: are leopard geckos social or if you can house them together or not?
However, leopard geckos are solitary animals, and they only spend time together for mating.
They prefer to be alone, and even the females do not spend time caring for their hatchlings. However, many pet keepers have had success keeping them together without any fuss.
In this post, you will get an insight into the social lives of leopard geckos, the reasons not to keep them together, and if leopard geckos can get lonely.
This article has been reviewed by Dr. Gospel. Read more about our knowledge control process here.
Contents
- Are Leopard Geckos Social?
- Why You Should Never Get A Partner For Your Leopard Gecko
- Are Leopard Geckos Friendly?
- Do Leopard Geckos Get Lonely?
- Do Leopard Geckos Get Bored?
- What Can Happen If You Get A Partner For Your Leopard Gecko?
- Should You Consider Putting A Smaller Leopard Gecko With Your Adult Gecko?
- Wrapping Up
Are Leopard Geckos Social?
Leopard geckos are loners, and they prefer living on their own rather than putting them with another gecko. However, they are friendly, and they can communicate with other members of their species and their surroundings.
If you are planning to have more than one leos in your house. Besides naming your new pets, wondering about the sociability of them is the good thing.
Leopard geckos are usually stressed up when you keep them together. This is because they are solitary animals and can be territorial, especially males. However, leos prefer to be on their own once they become adults.
Although leopard geckos have a docile temperament, it is unnatural to find them living in groups. The female and male leopard geckos only spend time together when it is time to mate. And after mating, they leave each other; they don’t even stay around to care for their hatchlings.
Why You Should Never Get A Partner For Your Leopard Gecko
Leopard geckos prefer staying on their own, and it is best not to get them a partner. Some of the reasons not to get a partner for your leos are stated below.
- They can be stressed from sharing a habitat with another gecko
- They feel threatened and defensive, which can lead to attacks between them.
- It can cause bullying of one another and competition for hides, food, and other accessories in their tank.
- Your gecko can develop health issues
Are Leopard Geckos Friendly?
Leopard geckos are friendly animals, and they have docile temperaments. However, it is going to take some time before they warm up to you. But once they do, they are lovable reptiles and a perfect pet that you can keep in your home.
Read here to see what a few keepers have to say about leopard geckos being friendly.
Some of the ways that you can build up a friendship with your gecko are stated below.
- Handling them gently
- Hand feeding them
- Make yourself known
- Feeding them regularly
- Keep things constant with them
- Providing them with their basic needs
How To Handle Leopard Gecko Safely
One of the important tips for handling gecko is never to handle them by their tail. This is because it can trigger their defensive mechanism, and they can drop their tail. Although they will regrow their tail back, it leaves them open to infection.
The best way to handle them is to cup them in your hand while using the second hand to ensure they don’t run away or jump off your hand.
Things To Avoid To Keep Your Relationship With Your Gecko In Good Shape
- Playing loud noises
- Inconsistent feeding
- Too much touching
- Sudden movements that scare your gecko
- Bringing other pets around them.
Do Leopard Geckos Get Lonely?
Leopard geckos are solitary animals, which means they don’t get lonely. Therefore, you don’t have to worry if your leopard gecko is sitting in a particular place for a long time without moving. Leos can sit without moving because they don’t want to lose energy but not because they are lonely.
However, leopard geckos can suffer if you ignore them and fail to feed, change their water, or clean their tank regularly. Instead of wondering if they are lonely, ensure you check on them and cater to their needs.
Do Leopard Geckos Get Bored?
Leopard geckos do not get bored. This is because they are not like humans that need constant attention and entertainment to be satisfied. They are usually happy to live safely, have something to eat, and stay healthy.
However, leopard geckos can become stressed, which can make you think that they are bored. Some of the things you can provide for them and do naturally to keep themselves occupied, healthy, and stress-free are stated below.
- Bonding with them
- By exercising
- Sleeping
- Eating
- Climbing
What Can Happen If You Get A Partner For Your Leopard Gecko?
There are lots of things that can happen if you get your leopard gecko a partner.
The first thing that can happen is that they start fighting each other. However, it is not all partnering that will leave to fight because some can cohabit successfully with one another. But you should keep in mind that partnering leopard geckos will lead to competition even if they live happily.
One of the two leos will become more dominant and get more water, food, and other accessories in the tank. Even when they live happily together, a time will come when they will no longer be able to bear the presence of each other.
When this happens, you will need to separate them immediately as it can lead to stress for the geckos.
Should You Consider Putting A Smaller Leopard Gecko With Your Adult Gecko?
Although some leopard geckos do not get aggressive when kept together, this does not mean that you should put a baby leopard gecko with an adult leopard gecko.
The baby gecko will be bullied by the adult, making the baby leo very stressed, and they can stop eating.
Wrapping Up
Leopard geckos are solitary animals and prefer to live alone. However, if you house multiple geckos together, it is best to monitor their behavior and be ready to separate them when necessary. This is because they can be aggressive towards each other and can lead to stress for your gecko.