“Do leopard Geckos Bite?” is a common thing people complain about. Being a tiny animal, it doesn’t;t seem to harm anyone. However, stick here to know the answer.
Leopard geckos do not bite unless you are doing something wrong to them. These have 100 teeth and through that are used to bite. However, these teeth are not that sharp to cut human skin.
So, gecko’s bites are nothing dangerous. Neither will they extract venom nor will they reach your nerve. You just need to know why the leopard gecko is biting. In most cases, it is their handling procedure that is going wrong.
If you’re already been bitten by a leopard gecko, it is nothing too serious. You can just do first aid and you are ready to go. The most essential thing is to learn the reasons why leopard geckos bite. If you learn their behavior, you are safe.
Do Leopard Geckos Bite?
Yes, leopard geckos can bite, but they will need a reason. They never bite humans intentionally. Especially pet geckos are safer to be with.
A new leopard gecko might bite out of fear and stress. They use their tiny jaw muscles to bite insects and use them to eat.
Apart from everything, Gecoks are not attacking or always aggressive type of animals. It is more important to know the reasons why leopard geckos might bite. Leopard geckos may bite only if they get furious or feel threatened by anything.
Gecoks can indeed go against aggressive behavior as a reaction to different circumstances. Also, they may accidentally bite, if you do any mistake of holding them.
It is up to you when you will be handling your geckos. The owner of Gecoks should know how to maintain them with care.
Do Leopard Geckos Have Teeth?
Yes, leopard gecoks have 100 tiny and sharp teeth. Their teeth are distributed to the upper and lower jaw unevenly. Well, the upper jaw holds more teeth than the lower jaw of Gecoks. However, these don’t have big teeth to be scared of.
There have a few interesting things about Leopard gecko teeth. They are born with 100 teeth which they replace naturally. That’s why the reptile is known as polyphyodonts.
These animals can replace teeth every 3 to 4 months. These teeth are used to hunt food for themselves. These can bite and eat tiny insects. So, it will obviously fail to bite on human skin.
Does a Leopard Gecko Bite Hurt?
No, it is proven that a bite from a leopard gecko will not hurt you. However, this can lead to some unwanted itching or pinching ache on the bitten spot for a few moments. It will ultimately hurt a little on the spot, which can give you a feel like a pinch. The bite pressure can give you little scratches.
Whether the bite will hurt or not depends on a few things. As baby leopard geckos don’t have fully grown teeth, they will hard;y hurt anyone. On the other hand, large and adult leopard geckos might hurt you a bit.
If the gecoks are giant, they can cause human skin to bleed a few drops. But, this is not always the same in all cases. You should not be afraid of their bote as their teeth are not made for chopping skins; no matter how giant they are.
What to Do if a Leopard Gecko Bites You?
If leopard geckos have bitten you, try not to panic. Since leopard gecko bites really do not hurt, first aid would be enough. These are not venomous and are going to kill you. You just need to take a few first-aid steps to avoid infections. Mostly, they bite on their fingers.
You can do several things mentioned here:
- Leopard gecko bites are mostly defense reactions. So, stay calm, they did not mean to hurt you.
- Now, remove the gecko’s jaw carefully, and don’t drag it. You can use blunt objects like cards or fingernails to remove their grip from your skin. The process should be gentle so that you don’t hurt the gecko.
- Now, get clean water and an antiseptic solution to prevent infection. You need to get the clot and dab it with an antiseptic to clean your skin.
- It is time to apply some first aid. If the skin is bleeding, you should use a bandage. If the wound is not that deep, use some antiseptic cream over the spot.
- No, you are one with the first aid process of biting. You should check to keep your eyes on the wound so that it does not create any infection.
Why Does My Leopard Gecko Always Try To Bite Me?
Gecoks biting humans is not their natural behavior. But, there are a few things that can cause leopard geckos to bite often. There are some owners who are getting beaten by their geckos always.
Well, this is a sign that the owner is doing something wrong intentionally or unintentionally. If you are one of them, check out these few things and find your own answers. Leopard gecko owners must know how to maintain them and not blame their certain behavior.
Are you feeding Geckos on time?
Because geckos get aggressive when you don’t feed them properly, these little creations can mistake your fingers for food while eating in a hurry.
Leopard geckos can be territorial
Leopard Geckos are territorial animals when it comes to invading their privacy. So, make sure its enclosure is not being invaded. If you interfere on their personal space, you are influencing gecko to become aggressive.
Stress is one of the main factors:
Leopard geckos are naturally cautious creatures. When leopard gecko feels threatened, they may resort to defensive behaviors like biting. Leopard geckos might want to express their fear, anger, stress, and other negative feelings through biting.
Health Issues:
If your gecko is feeling unwell or in pain, it might be more likely to react defensively. If your geckos is showing aggressiveness all of sudden, observe their health system.
These are the most common things that can trigger your leopard gecko’s aggressive nature.
How Can I Stop Leopard Gecko from Biting?
Although gecko bites don’t hurt, they can be injurious. If you have a pet leopard gecko and the gecko has bitten you several times, you should learn more about them. There are a few things you must know to stop your Gecko from biting:
Handle with care: If you are having Geckos as a pet for the first time, you need to learn a lot about their need and behavior. Always handle your leopard gecko gently and avoid sudden movements that could startle or stress them. While moving them, you should be slow and deliberate. Don’t do anything that will make your geckos get furious or stressed.
Wash your hands: Before petting your Geckos, you should wash your hands properly. Try to avoid scented handwash or soap as these can make your geckos uncomfortable. Scented things will make your Geckos get curious and they can mistake your finger scent for food.
Learn some techniques: There are certain techniques for every pet. You must learn everything from picking up the geckos to feeding them. Leopard geckos may bite if you do something that is unnatural for their regular behavior. As: try to approach the gecko from the side rather than from the above.
Don’t invade privacy: Well, these geckos are private animals and they mark their own territory. You should observe what your leopard wants.
Observe their body language: This is one of the most essential things about leopard geckos. You need to know what your geckos express by which body language. If it shows signs of stress, such as tail waving, hissing, or puffing up, it’s best to give it space and avoid handling it at that moment.
Spend moments with your Geckos: You should get closer to your pets and win their trust. the small leopard gecko is the same. If you can build trust and spend time near their enclosure of them, they will be less likely to bite you in different circumstances.
6 Most Common Reasons Why Geckos May Bite
If you are still confused, give a check to these six most common things for those leopard geckos that may bite. Leopard geckos are one of the most unharming animals. If you are taking good care of them and still notice some of these aggressive nature like biting, check on these six things before reaching any conclusion:
May Be Gecok is Confused
If you are feeding your leopard geckos, and it wants to bite the fingers, your gecko is considered. It is a common habit of leopard geckos to confuse your moving fingers with insects. However, when the geckos realize it is just your finger, it will leave you immediately. So, their confusion is not going to give you scratches.
Maybe Geckos is uncomfortable
If you fail to win their trust or read other body language, you can not bring them comfort. And, such an environment will bring stress and fear for these little animals. Besides, if the weather is unsuitable for them or they have health issues, Gecok may make you uncomfortable.
If you have just brought the pet, it is possible that the gecko from biting is expressing its socializing nature to you. It is not necessary that biting is always an expression of negative energy. Sometimes, the leopard gecko can be playful by biting. But you should not appreciate their behavior to teach discipline.
It wants your attention
Sometimes, when Leopard geckos bite, it can be a sign of their bad temperament. It happens when as an owner of the geckos, you fail to give it enough attention. Before you predict anything random, try to observe the body language and figure out if it wants something from you or not.
Mating time
This happens especially with the house geckos. During the breeding season, you must put the male and female geckos together. Usually, summer is known to be the mating season for them. If you do not let them mate, biting can be an expression of their need.
It is merely a defense
If you are holding it wrong or treating it badly, geckos will naturally try to defend themselves. And, biting is one of the most common things to do during those times.
Is It Safe to Hold My Leopard Gecko?
Yes, it is absolutely safe to hold leopard geckos for anyone. However, if there have any injurious health issues, then you must consult a vet. Rather than that, leopard geckos are quite gentle and easy animals. If you know the right techniques, they are nothing harmful to humans.
Wrap Up
The best thing is, you are not holding health risks by leopard gecko bites. Geckos’ bite may not hurt you, still, this is not a good behavior for them.
Especially if you are keeping them as pets, you should learn about their requirements and teach them about discipline. If you are continuously getting bitten, it is time to observe what is going wrong with the geckos.
If you assume it is a health issue, do not do late to reach the vet. Don’t handle your leopard gecko roughly without a professional’s advice.
Also, do find out reasons why leopard geckos are biting you. Leopard geckos are known to be friendly and unharming animals.
Hugues Beaufrere is the Exoticpetia’s senior writer and reptile expert. He has been fascinated by reptiles and monkeys since he was a kid and had years of experience in herpetology and primatology. He has cared for various kinds of Monkeys, Lizards and Reptiles and loves to share his knowledge and passion with others.
Dr. Patrick Simon, DVM, is a qualified veterinarian specializing in exotic animals, especially reptiles. He has a master’s degree in zoology and a doctorate in veterinary medicine from the University of California, Davis. He has worked with various reptile owners and rescues for over ten years, providing expert care and advice. He is passionate about educating people about the fascinating world of reptiles and their unique needs.