Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[Carol]

Hi Everyone

Just a quick post to tell you about some unusual behaviour from our cresties - the last few days both Kurt and Sid have started pottering about before its got dark - just for a bit then go back to their hiding places for more kip until we turn lights down. Any ideas why?

We've been treating them to some crickets a couple of times this week and Kurt (in particular) is straight out hunting even though the lights are still on - dumb questions now- but do they rely more on their sense of smell and being nocturnal how does their eyesight differ in light and dark, how well and how far can they see? The main reason I'm asking is that Kurt caught one, had it in his mouth and was haring back up to the top of the cork when Sid struck out at him. Can't work out whether he was attacking Kurt or could smell/see the crick in his mouth and was going for that. They both seemed a bit shocked and Sid then ran off. He was also trying to jump at water drops running down the side of the viv the other day!

Has anyone else seen their cresties doing this or Sid just a bit of a muppet?!!!!

Thanks guys.
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0.0.3 Crested Geckos - Sid, Kurt & Titch
1.1.0 Cats - Lenny & Charlie

[Phil1988]

Hey Carol, to be honest I have no idea about what they're eye-sight is like but Karen (kroakykaren) has a couple of great pics of her little crestie at night showing just how big the pupils become, so I'm guessing they have super eye-sight in the dark.
I have seen my male spin his head and stare/stalk water droplets as they run down the glass too, so I think that might just be triggered by the movement but once again I'm not too sure.
They are weird creatures for sure

[callmechook]

Cresties use both smell and sight to find food. Live food attracts them by moving and that might be what Sid was reacting too, tho I would keep an eye to make sure theres no more occurances of it incase hes feeling a bit full of himself and thinks hes the boss. I've seen Leo's grab one end of the same crickets then hang on til one lets go.

If your feeding baby food or Crestie diet then they must be able to find it by smell. They seem to see best in dim light or full dark when their pupils open more but mine come out at various times so if they start to wander around earlier than you expect it prob they are just having a wander looking to see whats new and whats for dinner.

One other thing is, depending on their age it might be worth thinking about whether you have a pair in there, in which case they might be thinking of spring and romance lol or if its two males and they are getting towards sexual maturity then it could be that their thinking about territory and the snatch at Kurt could have been aggressive.

Don't you love these decisive posts I'd keep a close eye on them just to check that theres no fighting going on, and if you think they are being aggressive then seriously consider splitting them up. xxxxxx