How Do Golden Geckos Mark Their Territory?

Originally from the rainforests of Vietnam, the golden gecko, or gecko ulikovskii, prefers a much more humid environment than some other gecko breeds. The nocturnal golden gecko has sticky finger tips that allow it to climb easily, and even hang upside down. The golden is well adapted for surviving in its tree-filled terrain in the wild, although they are sometimes kept as pets. The golden gecko is known to be an extremely territorial creature and will mark its territory both in the wild and in captivity.

  1. Territorial Behavior

    • If a male golden gecko enters another's territory, he will become aggressive and fight. Geckos showing signs of aggression will usually sway their tail slowly and deliberately, although this can be difficult to distinguish from the tail wagging of a female golden gecko when she sees a male she wants to mate with. The same can be said for the barking of the aggressive male, as this can be difficult to distinguish from the chattering noises that golden geckos make to communicate amongst their family group. Geckos fighting over territory can injure one another through scratching and biting. It is also common for geckos to lose their tails during a fight. In the wild, geckos are able to stay out of one another's marked territories by smelling the air with their tongue to detect chemicals left by another gecko.

    Housing

    • Golden geckos are known to be extremely territorial and two males should never be housed together, although it is possible for two females to be housed together, or a single male to be housed with numerous females. Golden geckos should also never be housed with any other breed of gecko, or any other species of reptile. The most important factors for housing a gecko are that the tank always be kept at the correct temperature, and the that tank is big enough for the number of geckos being housed in it. The more geckos, the larger the tank needs to be.

    Captivity

    • Golden geckos can be kept as pets, although they usually do not enjoy being handled and may bite. Despite this, many gecko enthusiasts claim that it is possible to tame them, and a good way is to hand feed them their favorite food. Geckos survive mainly on a diet of insects and worms, although they sometimes enjoy fruit, nectar and honey. Golden geckos are known for having a sweet tooth.

    Marking Territory

    • Golden geckos use a discrete form of chemical communication amongst themselves. The gecko will exude a waxy pheromone in order to mark their territory, which is usually undetectable to humans. The gecko will rub itself against inanimate objects to mark its terrain with the scent. Other geckos are able to detect the chemical through a receptor known as the Jacobson organ, which is located in the roof of the mouth. The organ is extremely sensitive to any pheromones given off by other geckos.

    Keep Males Appart

    • Because it is so important for golden gecko males to be kept apart, it is handy if owners are able to tell the difference between males and females of the breed. The male of the species is larger, reaching lengths of up to 14 inches, whereas the smaller female grows to an average of 8.5 inches. The males can be identified by their bright golden color, whereas the females are usually a darker blend of green and brown. The best way to check is to look at the underside of the gecko. Males have rows of darkly colored pores, close to their hind legs. In females this is less apparent.