Introduction to Leopard gecko soaking

From time-to-time owners will find a Leopard gecko soaking in the water dish — especially during periods where they shed their skins. For Leopard geckos, soaking in water is a great way to help loosen dry skin which aids in the skin shedding process.

Other than having an increased humidity effect, by soaking in water Leopard geckos attempt to cool themselves down, slow down dehydration and to rid themselves from external parasites.

Also see
Leopard gecko skin shedding — an ‘a pealing’ affair Donate via PayPal

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Leopard gecko skin shedding problems

Incomplete or difficult shedding in Leopard geckos will often be evident by spending a lot of time in the water container.

A healthy, well-hydrated Leopard gecko will usually shed its skin in one complete piece⁽⁵⁴⁾, or a few large pieces, over a period of one to two hours. In the event of dysecdysis (abnormal skin shedding), Leopard geckos will often resort to methods that help to moisten and subsequently loosen the skin.

Skin shedding problems in Leopard geckos are most commonly seen when the environmental humidity is too low⁽⁵⁴⁾. Other reasons include low environmental temperatures, improper nutrition, mite infestations (see below) and insufficient enclosure furniture for rubbing⁽⁵⁵⁾.

Also see
Skin shedding problems in Leopard geckos

In enclosures where the environmental humidity is too low, Leopard geckos will often spend more time soaking in water. Although Leopard geckos are adapted to warm desert-like temperatures, they do limit their activity to the cooler parts of the day. Leopard geckos also spend most of their time hiding away in cooler moist areas under rocks and trees and in burrows, tunnels and holes under the soil.

One of the most important things that will create a cool hiding spot and increase the environmental humidity is the supply of a humidifying shelter (hide box containing a moist substrate). Popular hide box substrates include peat/sphagnum moss and vermiculite that is wetted with an equal amount of water. Sprayed paper towel can also be used. The substrate should not be soggy wet, but feel moist by touching it.

Other quick ways to increase the environmental humidity is by increasing the size of the water bowl and by misting the enclosure. Misting (i.e. spraying) can be done twice a day with lukewarm water. The temperature of the spraying water needs to be similar to that of the enclosure (i.e. 25–30 ºC / 77–86 ºF⁽²³⁾, use a thermometer).

Also see
Ensuring the correct humidity for pet Leopard geckos
Leopard gecko hide areas and hide boxes

Mite infestations

Skin mites are small, tiny tick-like parasites that inhabit the outside skin layers. Their presence in Leopard geckos is usually quite obvious. These parasites tend to get stuck and loosen the outer layers of the skin, leading to excessive skin shedding and subsequent soaking behaviour. Mites are removed with sloughed pieces of skin. In fact, one of the functions of skin shedding in reptiles is to help get rid of external parasites⁽⁵⁴⁾.

By soaking in water, mites will drown and the skin shedding process will go faster. At-home treatment for mite infestations includes soaking or bathing of Leopard geckos in lukewarm water.

A juvenile Leopard gecko being soaked in a bowl of water. By soaking in water, Leopard geckos naturally try to get rid of mite infestations. Image by adyn02llee

Also see
Mite infestations in Leopard geckos

Overheating and dehydration

Soaking behaviour in Leopard geckos is often an indication that the environmental temperature is too high. Overheating can also have a decreasing effect on the humidity. In these cases, a Leopard gecko is prone to become dehydrated — which can be life-threatening on its own.

Leopard geckos require a temperature range of 25–30 ºC / 77–86 ºF⁽²³⁾ with a drop to about room temperature during the evenings. Anything higher than 32 ºC / 90 ºF is dangerous. The environmental temperature can be measured using a thermometer and the humidity can be measured using a hygrometer.

Soaking in water helps with cooling down. Sometimes the Leopard gecko will be actively seen drinking water while soaking. As of yet, the author was unable to find any authoritative literature supporting the, often reported, fact that lizards (and other non-aquatic reptiles) can absorb water through their skins. There is also no support for, the so-called, ‘cloacal-drinking’.

In addition to soaking behaviour as a result of overheating and dehydration, a Leopard gecko might also try to escape the enclosure and/or breath with its mouth open. In these cases, the first thing to do is to remove all heating equipment from the enclosure and re-evaluate the temperature.

Apart from overheating, dehydration can be caused by many things. Other common reasons for Leopard geckos to dehydrate include malnutrition, Cryptosporidiosis, sand impactions (see below) and of course, not supplying water.

Also see
Glass climbing behaviour in Leopard geckos
Ensuring the correct humidity for pet Leopard geckos
Supplying heat to Leopard geckos

Intestinal impactions and obstructions

Severe dehydration can also be the result of intestinal impactions and obstructions. Impactions and obstructions in Leopard geckos are typically caused by the ingestion of non-absorbable substrates (e.g. sand, stones, moss, etc.).

With intestinal impactions and obstructions, dehydration (with subsequent soaking behaviour) can be the result of not enough moisture being absorbed through the intestines. Although there will more likely be other signs, dehydration can be so severe that an effected Leopard gecko will actively drink water while soaking.

Also see
Intestinal impactions and obstructions in Leopard geckos
Suitable substrates for Leopard geckos

Conclusion

This article pointed out some of the reasons why Leopard geckos might show soaking behaviour. A common reason for this behaviour is too low humidities. During short periods of skin shedding this behaviour is more likely normal. Most other reasons should probably raise concerns.

The post Leopard gecko soaking — warning signs appeared first on Leopard Gecko.

It is important to be able to tell whether a baby Leopard gecko is healthy or not. Although sick or diseased individuals might have less visible signs, a healthy Leopard gecko will always have the following characteristics…

Introduction to a healthy baby Leopard gecko

When it comes to choosing a baby Leopard gecko, it is important to look for a healthy one.

There are a couple of ways to see of a baby Leopard gecko is healthy, or not.

Alert attitude

When there is movement around, a baby Leopard gecko should almost always be alert and bright – especially at night. They should always be curious to see what is going on.

Willingness to eat

A baby Leopard gecko should almost always be willing to eat or at least notice what is to offer, especially moving prey.

No excretions from eyes, nose and mouth

The eyes, nose and mouth should be free from any type of excretions. This includes sores, crusts or dirt.

Clean vent

The vent area of a baby Leopard gecko should be clean and dry. A dirty vent is an indication of diarrhoea.

Upright posture

Healthy baby Leopard geckos with a well-maintained muscle and bone structure should be able to sit upright.

Filled out belly

A filled belly is an indication that a baby Leopard gecko is well fed.

Absence of swellings in toes and tail

Swellings on the toes and tail is very often an indication of shedding problems.

What to look for in a healthy, baby Leopard gecko

The post What to look for in a healthy baby Leopard gecko appeared first on Leopard Gecko.

Introduction to tongue flicking behaviour in Leopard geckos

Apart from using the tongue to catch prey, licking behaviour is actually an additional way for Leopard geckos to smell and/or taste. Leopard geckos also don’t lick things per se, but rather flick their tongues into the air at frequent intervals before retracting them back into the mouth.

By licking, Leopard geckos are actually ‘smelling’ and “tasting” their environments. This enables Leopard geckos to get a better understanding of their environment during hunting, hiding, mate-seeking and breeding.

Jacobson’s organ

After each ‘lick’, microscopic particles from the environment collects on the surface of the Leopard gecko’s tongue. After the tongue is pulled back into the mouth it is pushed into an opening on the upper part of the mouth. This opening is connected to a sensory part called the Jacobson’s organ or the vomeronasal organ. By pushing the tongue onto the Jacobson’s organ, the particles from the environment can be deciphered into messages (similar to the taste buds and the inside of human noses). These messages are then transmitted from the Jacobson’s organ via nerves to the brain of the Leopard gecko. After the information has been received from the Jacobson’s organ, the brain makes the reptile ‘understand’ its environment better.

Using the tongue to be able to ‘smell’ and ‘taste’ is not unique to Leopard geckos. Most other reptiles and many other animals also has this ability.

This image shows the Jacobson’s organ of a snake, which is very similar in reptiles including Leopard geckos. Image credit Fred the Oyster (CC BY-SA 4.0)

It is currently believed that in many animals, the vomeronasal organ is responsible for detecting pheromones, aiding in reproduction and social behaviour.

The post Tongue flicking behaviour in Leopard geckos appeared first on Leopard Gecko.

Introduction to skin eating in Leopard geckos

Leopard geckos are known to eat their sloughed skins^(32)(59)(62). Skin eating is called ceratophagia, which, more specifically, means ‘horn eating’. Although this behaviour is rarely seen in other animals, it is not abnormal, or even unique to, Leopard geckos.

Skin eating behaviour is also documented in other geckos⁽⁵⁴⁾, such as African fat tail geckos (Hemithiconyx caudicinctus)⁽⁵⁸⁾ and Banded geckos (Coleonyx variegatus)⁽⁶¹⁾, other reptiles and crustaceans.

With healthy Leopard geckos, the old skin will most often be sloughed as one piece^(54)(62) or a couple of large pieces. These pieces of dead skin are often seen being bitten and pulled off by the Leopard gecko — ending in being chewed and swallowed. Shedding will often take place at night⁽³⁰⁾ and when the old skin was eaten, the process will often be missed, but smaller pieces of non-eaten skin might be found lying around in the enclosure.

Also see
Leopard gecko skin shedding — an ‘a pealing’ affair Donate via PayPal

Leopard Geckos 101 is a free, informative website helping to improve the quality of pet Leopard geckos. If you found value in any of its content, please consider making a donation. Also see the other ways to support Leopard geckos 101.

Why Leopard geckos eat their skins

Although the reasons for skin eating behaviour in Leopard geckos are not fully understood, there are a few theories that do exist. By looking at why some other animal species eat their sloughed skins, one can get a little insight into why Leopard geckos might be doing the same. This question has also been answered in short on the UCSB Science line.

Regaining lost nutrients

Some experts believe that by eating their own dead skin, Leopard geckos reuse some of its minerals and nutrients that were contained in the dead skin.

Living in dry, desert environments can be tough and certain required minerals are scarce. Sloughed, dead skin is a valuable source of many minerals. By eating the skin, Leopard geckos are actually ‘recycling’ valuable minerals. Some believe that dead skin also contains re-usable energy.

Concealing their territories

Experts also believe that skin eating behaviour in Leopard gecko is instinctively and serves as a protection mechanism against natural predators. Pieces of sloughed skin can give predators, and other Leopard geckos, an indication where there might be a meal nearby. It might also leave a smell behind.

By eating their own sloughed pieces of skin, no such evidence exists. This way predators are less likely to hang around, making their environments a little safer.

While watching a Leopard gecko eating its skin, it also becomes evident that by physically pulling the dead skin from the body, the shedding process is hastened and made easier. Pieces of dry skin that remains stuck to the body can hinder normal movement and cause life-threatening blood loss to some areas. Skin infections are also more likely during difficult shedding.

A Leopard gecko foot where the toes have been lost due to retained skin after a difficult shed. By pulling the skin off and eating it, Leopard geckos can reduce the chances of retained skin. Image © Renier Delport

Dead pieces of skin are known to cause the loss of toes, tails, feet and even legs. During the shedding process, a Leopard gecko is also left fragile and becomes an easy target for predators. Making the skin shedding process faster, less energy is consumed and normal activity can resume within a shorter period of time which ultimately reduce the chance for being caught.

Also see
Skin shedding problems in Leopard geckos

Conclusion

Although concrete evidence is lacking on why Leopard geckos eat their sloughed skins, some theories exist. They include regaining lost nutrients, concealing their territories and aiding in the skin shedding process.

The post Skin eating behaviour in Leopard geckos appeared first on Leopard Gecko.

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Leopard geckos are known to have, what is called defaecatorial behaviour. This means they often deposit their droppings in more or less the same area of their enclosure.

Apart from the fact that it is often observed, not much information is available regarding this, somewhat strange, but normal behaviour. What is known that it makes enclosure and substrate cleaning a lot easier.

The post Defaecatorial behaviour in Leopard geckos appeared first on Leopard Gecko.