If you’ve heard them making this sound, you might wonder why Leopard Geckos chirp. Here’s the answer!
Most reptiles are vocal, even when they aren’t social animals. They use sounds to warn threats, indicate stress, or express joy. Many will argue that reptiles don’t have emotions, but if you’ve kept one as a pet, you’ll know that they express themselves.
If your Leopard Gecko has made a chirping sound, this article will tell you why. In it, I explain why these little creatures make this sound and what other noises you should pay attention to when you’re keeping one as a pet.
What Is A Leopard Gecko?
Leopard Geckos are small lizards. They’re ground-dwellers and live in the rocky grasslands of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Nepal, and India.
These little reptiles have become popular in the pet trade. They’ve been captively bred to the extreme and are sometimes referred to as the first lizard species to be domesticated. Leopard geckos are commonly white, yellow, and spotted with black dots. Hatchlings usually have stripes that gradually change to spots.
Leopard geckos are popular beginner reptiles. They’re simple to care for and easy to handle. They have perky personalities, are fascinating to watch, docile, and easily tamed. They don’t bite and are slow-moving. These geckos also can’t climb walls because they have no sticky toe pads like other geckos.
If you get a Leopard Gecko as a pet, you’ll soon realize that they’re very vocal and make squeaks and chirps. You can socialize with your gecko by handling them for short periods.
Why Do Leopard Geckos Chirp?
Leopard Geckos chirp for several reasons. Chirping may be caused by any of the following:
Stress: Being in a new environment may cause stress. Consider opting for an enclosure that opens from the front, so your Leopard Gecko can see your hand coming in. If you enter from above, they might feel frightened. You also shouldn’t handle your gecko too much while they’re still a baby to avoid them experiencing stress.
Fear: Leopard Geckos are small, and many things in their environment might be scary to them. They might be scared of other pets in your home or even you.
Territorial Behavior: Only house one gecko per container, especially if they are males. Males will fight over territory and mating rights. Two females will happily live together in a large enough tank to accommodate them.
Hunger: If your Leopard Gecko is hungry, they can use sounds to let you know.
Excitement: Leopard Geckos can get excited and express this through chirps.
Other Sounds Leopard Geckos Make And What They Mean
Leopard Geckos don’t only make chirping sounds. In fact, these little guys can be pretty vocal. You might be lucky enough to hear other sounds like clicking, screaming, and barking! These sounds each have different meanings.
Clicking Sounds
When you hear your Leopard Gecko making clicking noises, it’s usually a sign of annoyance. Clicking can also mean your pet is stressed or uncomfortable. Leopard Geckos may sometimes be bothered by the live food in their enclosure and click because of this. Put in only two or three live crickets to keep them from biting and bothering your gecko.
Younger Leopard Geckos will click more than older ones. This is simply because they’re not used to human interaction yet. Leopard Geckos will click when being held, especially if they aren’t used to being handled after eating and before they shed. Stop whatever you’re doing when you hear your Leopard Gecko making this sound.
Screaming Sounds
Screaming is one of the least common sounds a Leopard Gecko will make. Hearing your Leopard Gecko screaming means they’re scared and feel threatened. Juvenile Leopard Geckos scream a lot more than mature ones. This is simply because juveniles aren’t accustomed to the environment or their new habitat and companions yet. Be patient if your new juvenile Leopard Gecko screams a lot when you first bring them home. They will grow out of this phase as they become used to you and their new environment.
Barking Sounds
A Leopard Gecko will bark if they feel threatened. Barking sounds a lot like clicking, but it’s hoarser. Barking is a more serious response. A Leopard Gecko will only make a barking sound if they are in direct danger. Immediately check on your Leopard Gecko if you hear them barking, and remove them from the situation causing this response.
In Conclusion
If you don’t already have one, you should know that Leopard Geckos are vocal. You’ll hear a lot of interesting sounds coming from their enclosure. Many of these are nothing to worry about, but knowing what each means will help you help your new friend.
Chirping is one of the sounds your gecko will make when there’s a problem. You need to pay attention when they’re making this sound to help solve the issue.
I hope you liked this article and have a better idea about how to help your Leopard Geck when they chirp. If you have more questions about this species, ask them in the comments!
FAQs
How do I know if my Leopard Geckos are happy?
Happy Leopard Geckos look alert and bright. They eat without any issues and move in smooth motions. When you try to touch them, they'll stay calm and react gently.
Why do geckos make sounds?
Most geckos only make sounds when trying to attract a mating partner. Sounds could also indicate stress, hunger, or illness if you keep them as pets.
What do leopard geckos like to play with?
Your gecko might enjoy climbing objects, jumping off them, or rolling around in funny textures. You can add branches, 3D models, or paper towels to their enclosure for entertainment.
What does it mean when a gecko squeaks?
Squeaking is an indicator of happiness and joy. If your gecko squeaks, they might be excited! You'll typically hear this if you have a good bond with your pet or when they start recognizing that you bring them food.