Why Do Crested Geckos Bite? (How to Stop It)

Crested geckos are known for their docile nature and do not bite that often. Many new pet owners wonder why their pet is trying to bite them. In this article, we will discuss the reason behind crested gecko biting behavior and how to stop it.

Crested geckos bite if they are feeling stressed or threatened. It is a defense mechanism and does not cause any injury to humans. Crested geckos bite does not tear up the skin and is not harmful to pet owners. You should limit handling them until they feel comfortable to prevent this from occurring.

You should also hold your pet gecko in a relaxed and gentle way, as it might mistake you for a predator. Grabbing crested geckos too quickly or tightly will cause pain to your pet and will be reciprocated with a bite. You should always respect your crested gecko’s space and boundaries till they feel safe being held.

Crested geckos also have a strong sense of taste and smell. If your pet smells the scent of food on your fingers, it might mistake it for other food objects. Your pet gecko might attempt to bite you to taste the food on your fingers. Make sure you wash your hands before and after feeding sessions to avoid this from occurring.

Do Crested Geckos Have Teeth?

Crested geckos do have teeth, but they are very small in size. Many pet owners might be confused if their pet gecko has any teeth. Unlike other animals, crested geckos have small teeth that are embedded in their jawbone. If you think your pet has no teeth, you might be mistaken as they have a set of 177 dentures and are known as pleurodont teeth.

As crested geckos’ teeth are embedded in their jawbones, they are easily replaceable. Your pet gecko will shed and regain teeth throughout its life. Pleurodont teeth are not that sharp and can not cut through flesh they have a conical shape and a pointed tip. These teeth help crested geckos to hold their prey while they swallow them.

Crested gecko’s teeth are used to hold or grab onto their prey than chewing. Geckos usually eat crickets and other small insects and are incapable of hurting humans with their bites. You will be surprised to know that newly born crested geckos have a full set of dentures and shed them throughout their life. 

Your pet gecko does not bite or chew their food and swallow their prey as a whole. Make sure you feed your crested gecko the right size of insects, or it may result in a choking hazard. If your pet continues to bite you, give them a comfortable and stress-free environment to prevent it from occurring.

Editor’s Note
The size of any feeder insect should not be bigger than the crested gecko’s head. If the size of the insect is big, it might result in impactions or a choking hazard.

Signs a Crested Gecko Will Bite You

Crested geckos bite when they feel stressed or threatened. Your pet can also be a bit unpredictable, and their bites might be painful. Here are some of the signs that your crested gecko is preparing to bite you.

Aggressive Body Language

Aggressive body language is one of the key signs that your pet is preparing to bite you. Crested geckos hiss and bite when they feel threatened or stressed. If your pet is puffing up its body, it is treating you like a predator and does not feel safe. Puffing up generally happens when a crested gecko wants to attain dominance and scare away their predator.

Another indicator of this aggressive body language is the opening up of the mouth and showing of teeth to you. This is done to establish dominance and intimidate you. You should give your pet enough space and time to feel safe in its enclosure. Also, make sure they are getting a healthy environment, and nothing is causing them stress lately.

Tail Wagging

If a crested gecko’s tail wags, it is preparing to bite you. Tail wagging is a way to communicate distress and agitation for your crested gecko. If you see this occurring, you should see what is causing them unease and solve the problem immediately.

Crested geckos who are waggling their tail should be left alone and given some time to calm down. You should also limit handling them as it might lead to a painful bite. As pet owners, you should also make sure they are getting a stress-free environment and a healthy enclosure.

Sudden Movement

Grabbing your crested geckos suddenly might result in a bite. Crested geckos are agile and quick creatures, and creating a sudden movement might scare them. Sudden movements include grabbing them without letting them see you, reaching into their enclosure quickly, or moving your hand too close to their face.

Do not hide when you are attempting to handle your crested gecko. You should also move slowly and try to establish good trust with your pet. Doing so will help them feel more comfortable and safe around you.

Why Does a Crested Gecko Bite?

Crested geckos bite when they feel stressed or threatened. A newly adopted gecko might also feel fear or anxiety due to a sudden shift in its environment. These creatures might also misinterpret you for a predator and lash out to protect themselves. You should limit handling your crested gecko if they are feeling discomfort or stressed to prevent this from occurring.

Another reason for crested geckos to bite is that they are feeling hungry. Your pet has a strong sense of smell, and they might mistake your fingers or other objects for food. This might result in a bite. You should feed your pet gecko at regular intervals and always wash your hands before and after feeding them.

Many crested geckos also puff up their body or hiss at you to establish dominance. If your pet is feeling territorial, it might try to bite you to protect its enclosure. If there are two male crested geckos kept in the same tank. Lack of space and discomfort are the key factors behind this aggressive behavior.

And lastly, poor handling of your pet can also lead to painful bites. You should always hold your pet gecko calmly and never attempt to surprise them. Sudden movements and rough handling can easily upset crested geckos and result in a bite.

Does a Crested Gecko Bite Hurt?

No, a crested gecko bite does not hurt. Crested geckos are non-aggressive creatures and have very small teeth. They are incapable of tearing the flesh as their teeth are used to grab onto prey rather than chew it.

A crested gecko bite feels more like a pinch than a miserable wound. Although, an aggressive crested gecko can cause a much more painful bite. They will clamp down on your finger and move their head in a back-and-forth motion. This will lead to a non-threatening yet painful bite. You should stay calm in such situations and remove their jaws gently.

You should also wash your hands if a crested gecko attempts to bite you. Crested geckos carry a harmful bacteria known as salmonella, which can transfer easily into your body. Make sure to wash your hands before and after the feeding sessions. This will reduce the risk of any exchange of diseases both for you and your pet.

Give your crested gecko healthy surroundings and limit handling them to avoid bites from occurring. You should always respect your gecko’s space and boundaries. This will keep them feeling safer and more comfortable in their enclosure.

What to Do if a Crested Gecko Bites You?

If your crested gecko is stressed or threatened it might result in a bite. Generally, your pet’s bite won’t do much harm but can be a bit painful. After the bite has occurred you should do a list of things to ensure the safety and overall well-being of your pet.

Firstly, you should not panic if a crested gecko bites you. Your pet’s bite can not do any serious injury and will only cause a pinch-like pain. Just remove your crested gecko gently by holding its jaw and limit handling them. 

The next thing that you need to do is to wash the area thoroughly where the bite has occurred. Washing with soap and water will help remove any bacteria from the area and reduce the risks of any future infections. You can also put in some antiseptic cream and a clean bandage if it is necessary.

If there is some redness, swelling, or pus you should seek medical help immediately. You should also consult a vet for your crested gecko in case your pet has any unresolved medical issues. Crested geckos bite usually get infected due to some illness in your pet or it might be an allergic reaction.

You should always hold your crested gecko gently and provide it with a safe and healthy environment to prevent such bites from occurring in the future. Also, make sure to wash your hands before or after the feeding session. Crested geckos might mistake your hands for food if you have touched any food items recently.

How to Prevent Crested Geckos From Biting You?

Crested geckos are docile creatures that are very non-aggressive. But like other animals, they can also bite their owners. It is important to know how to prevent these bites so you can take better care of your pet. Here are some ways to prevent crested geckos from biting you.

Handling Them Gently

You should always handle your crested geckos slowly and gently. Never sneak behind your geckos, as it may result in an accidental bite. Crested geckos are prone to get distressed and scared very easily. You should always respect your pet’s space and boundaries to prevent bites from occurring.

Rough handling makes your pet feel stressed and threatened. Crested geckos might perceive their pet owners as predators if you handle them roughly. Give your pet gecko a safe and healthy environment to build a great bond. Doing so will help establish trust with your crested gecko.

Wash Your Hands

Pet owners should wash their hands with soap and water before and after each feeding session. Crested geckos have a strong sense of smell and can mistake your fingers or other objects for food. This may result in an accidental bite and can be easily prevented.

Editor’s Note
You can also use a pair of tongs to feed your crested geckos food like mealworms, dubia roaches, etc. This will prevent you from getting bitten by your pet gecko.

Shedding Period

Crested geckos might feel stressed and agitated during the shedding process. Make sure you limit handling your pet as it might cause stress and discomfort for your pet. The shedding part is painless for crested geckos, but they might feel irritated and fatigued throughout the process.

You should give your crested gecko additional care and a healthy environment to help them throughout the process. This will help develop a great bond between you and your pet and prevent bites from occurring.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Crested geckos bite, but it only happens when they feel stressed or scared. To prevent this from occurring, limit handling them and give them a safe and clean environment. You should also wash your hands before and after feeding sessions to avoid accidental bites. Bites from your pet are harmless and do not cause injury, so it is nothing to be scared of.