Dominant Gecko

[crazytanak]

I have noticed that 3 of my females act dominant, while 1 acts submissive. The first female I got is a domiant acting female. The 2 others that act domiant have both lost their tails. the submissive one still has her tail.

Is it possible that geckos have a pack mentality and there is a status quo among females?

[samanthajane13]

Oh, YEAH!!

There's DEFINITELY a hierarchy with females!!

Our first gecko-Katey's girl Suey-who's earned the nickname "EYE BITER".  She's also de-tailed many of our girls and several males.  We never find the tails, so I'm assuming she's developed a taste for them.

When we go to pair her up with a male, we watch them VERY CLOSELY, and rescue the male as soon as they mating is complete or if there's any Suey-attacks.

[architeuthis]

Mine aren't as bad as Samanthajane's Suey--but there's definitely a noticeable pecking order. I watch closely to make sure no ones getting bullied away from eating and I play musical cages if I notice any decreasing in weight.

[samanthajane13]

Yeah-Suey KNOWS she's Queen of the Castle...

And so do all the frog-butts she's created!

[amcclain1092]

Frog butts are so cute though =]
I have a female that tops off around 46-50g without fattening her up that I want to put in with a different male for this breeding season...thing is hes kinda on the smaller size only around 35g...i must watch her closely to learn her habits and make sure shes no Suey hahah 

[crazytanak]

From what Ive noticed she lets the male be the boss of her, but Lacey's gotta be second in command. I do make sure I check everybody's weight at least once a week so i know they are all eating.

I noticed she will also get mad if another gecko is sitting where she wants to go she will crab at the gecko and push them out of the way if they dont move.

I never find the dropped tails of mine either.

[Leif]

I have been very lucky. All my females have gotten along and often sleep next to each other. But like everyone said there can be a pecking order and one female can become dominant. I would assume size plays a role.

[crazytanak]

So Lacey de-tailed another gecko a few days ago

Here is another problem I have been having with her: because Lacey is so bossy, she gets mad if another gecko is sitting where she wants to go. Well she has a habit of grabbing the other gecko by the back leg and then shaking them for several minutes. Sometimes I break up the fight, sometimes she just drops the gecko to the ground and the fight is over. SO FAR she hasnt caused any physical harm when she does this. The gecko she picks on is fine, a little freaked for a few minutes.

My question is do you think the bullying will get worse? should i seperate lacey from the other geckos? if so how long? I want to make sure all my geckos stay safe. However I dont really have room for another permanent adult setup.

[samanthajane13]

I would move her for at least a week.  Give her a good "time out", then try putting her back.

If that doesn't work, you may just have to make room for another setup.

[Rex Zira]

I have a female like that.  She's a juvie so i haven't seen her with a male yet but when hunting I have seen her take another cricket.  The submissive females (all of the other four shes with) will literally bite a cricket once and if she bites at it they will spit it out and back off. I separated her once when she grabbed and shook another female, but a week or so later I put her back in and she's been fine.  Haven't seen her bite anyone lately, but she still steals crickets. 

[samanthajane13]

Rex Zira-I would DEFINITELY give all those females their own tanks to assure that they're all getting what they need to eat without being bullied!

This may be why your little one isn't growing!  I didn't realize you had them all in the same tank.

Cresties really aren't social creatures in the wild-living in groups.

They need their own place most of the time, unless breeding!