Reptiles have many different behaviors, and while some are sheer entertainment, others could indicate a more serious issue. From flicking their tongues to puffing their bodies, every action and reaction tells you something about your pet reptile’s condition. In fact, paying close attention to changes in their personalities and body language could alert you to underlying disease or severe stress.
Understanding these common behaviors in reptiles can help you tend to your pet’s health and well-being.
1. Tongue-Flicking: How Reptiles “Smell”
Lizards and snakes love flicking their tongues, but what exactly does this reptile behavior mean? This mannerism helps reptiles “smell” their environment. Think of it as similar to the way a dog’s nose works. They collect scent particles in the air using their tongues, providing information about potential prey and predators nearby. Such reptiles use their tongues to examine the air using a special organ called Jacobson’s organ. It is located at the top of their mouths and works by picking up chemicals and particles that tell them where to find food.
Interestingly, the forked tongues of snakes and lizards allow them to detect scents from different environments at the same time! The faster they move their tongues, the more information they get from their habitat. Snakes, such as boas, will rapidly flick their tongues to get as much information on their surroundings quickly. Tongue-flicking is natural, but if you notice coiling and tongue-flicking, look out!
2. Basking Allows for Vitamin Production
Every reptile is cold-blooded (or ectothermic), which means it needs external heat sources, like the sun, to regulate body temperature. Many reptiles enjoy basking in the sun, including chameleons, bearded dragons, garter snakes, and turtles. In addition to improving their temperature, exposing themselves to UV light is crucial in generating vitamin D3, allowing reptiles to absorb calcium from the food they eat. If reptiles do not consume enough calcium, it affects their bone development, risking metabolic bone disease.
For these reasons, reptiles need a UV light source in their enclosures if they don’t have access to sunlight. It is important to understand that while basking is an instinctive behavior, reptiles should always have access to a cool side of the tank. The cooler end of a reptile enclosure is usually five to ten degrees below the basking temperature, allowing the animal to move into the light as desired.
3. Routine Skin-Shedding Is Normal
As reptiles increase in size, their skin cannot expand to accommodate these changes. For this reason, they experience shedding. The frequency depends on the reptile species and its environment. For example, geckos, corn snakes, and boas will shed their entire skin in a single piece in a process known as ecdysis. It generally takes up to 14 days for a reptile to shed, but you can facilitate the process by providing branches for them to rub against. Maintain humidity levels and add a shallow dish of water they can bathe in to soften and remove the skin.
While shedding is normal, if you notice dullness and skin that won’t peel off naturally, your pet reptile may have dysecdysis. If not treated, this disease can lead to infection, so be sure to visit a reptile vet if this is the case.
4. Hissing, Tail Whipping, and Posturing: Defensive Behaviors
No matter how long you’ve had a pet snake or lizard, they may sometimes feel stressed or frightened. So how do you tell if they’re anxious? When a pet lizard or snake perceives a threat, they engage in defensive behaviors, such as hissing and tail whipping. Posturing is what lizards and snakes do to make themselves appear larger, much like the neck display of the frill-necked lizard. If extremely stressed, snakes and lizards will open their mouths and hiss or spit.
Defensive behaviors to look out for include withdrawing and hiding, flattening, coiling, hissing, and body puffing. Keep a close eye on your pet, but don’t handle them if they’re displaying these behaviors because it could lead to a painful bite. From chameleons to pythons, some pet reptiles get stressed if they’re handled too much (or at all!). Gentle handling for short periods is recommended, but this also depends on the species. For instance, some reptiles, such as beardies, enjoy a good cuddle. Ensure the heat and humidity levels in the enclosure are suited to the needs of the ectotherm to prevent stress and its resulting behaviors.
5. Gagging Could Indicate a Medical Issue
If you notice your pet reptile gagging, this could be a sign of a gastrointestinal issue, nutritional deficiency, or environmental problem. Retching may be caused by something stuck in their throat or indicate a more serious problem, such as an impaction. Gagging associated with systemic issues like lethargy, discharge from the nose, and weight loss are signs of respiratory illness in reptiles. Any physical changes that leave your reptile feeling down and out should be assessed by a vet. The next step is to check their habitat, including their heating, humidity, and lighting.
Every pet reptile’s response says something about their mood and overall well-being. Our five pet reptile behaviors explained make identifying the signs of agitation, illness, and natural processes, such as shedding, easier. But if you notice changes in skin color, gagging, nasal discharge, and fatigue, it’s best to see a veterinarian to rule out infections. A professional veterinarian will get to the cause of symptoms and help your cold-blooded pet recover.
