Pleasure or Protest?

[Warrior]

My Leopard Gecko (Billy) arches his back when touched there, is he raising his back saying "this is nice" like a cat? Or is he saying "get off me! Look how big I am"?

 

[Beardednoob]

When I first got my Uro, he did this same thing I figured out though since his tail is a weapon for defense and what not, he was raising his hind legs up to let me know he could whip me if he wants to. With a Gecko though I could only speculate this is sort of the same thing. Probably wrong though LOL since I do not own one. :wink:
Just posting as there was a similarity between them.

 

[pogvitt]

My tokay arches his back when he is about to strike . . he is still in the taming process

 

[Grimleo]

Yeah, he's trying to intimidate you

 

[Warrior]

Yeah, he's trying to intimidate you

Haha Bless him

 

[lizardman95]

my leo did the same thing

 

[Warrior]

Is this a typical Leopard Gecko trait or will he eventually stop doing it when he's used to being handled?
He was pretty neglected before I took him in, so it makes me think the fear of being handled is in him for life.

 

[Grimleo]

Couldn't tell ya. There's a chance he will get over it, a chance he will warm up a little bit but not all the way, or a chance that he could be feisty til he's old.

One of my leos will dash to the nearest hide if I go near, and another will sit there and arch his back and wiggle his tail whenever I go near him or pet him. My first leo ever(I had him for like 5 years til we moved and I had to give him away) was like a beardie. He would hang out with you, wouldn't complain about being petted or picked up, he was a bro. They're all different.

I'm sure he will warm up at least a little if not all the way if you work hard to gain his trust.