Banana Joe passed away in April. He has lived with me since 2002. At that time I was 16 years old. Banana Joe wasn't seen very often, he kept his wild nature to the end. If you had to grab him, he often responded with a bite and a loud crackle. I just really liked his incorruptible nature about him. All the more enriching were the moments when he showed himself, or when you could hear from the loudly vibrating tail that he was presenting his special advantages to a female. In 2017, he became a father to five girls. His daughter Nameless still lives with me, the other "Banana Shakes" got new owners. Like her father, Nameless is a rather shy animal and she is a beautiful living memory. I really wished that Banana Joe would stay with me for many more years, but he has reached a good age and I am grateful for the time together.

Berenike 😄❤️

We want sunshine and warmth!
🌞🌡️

Luckily, spring is coming.
My leopard geckos ended their winter rest 10 days ago. On Monday they move back into the big terrarium.

I have made a few improvements to the terrarium. You can also look forward to a live cam, which will be available on my website soon.

In the photo you can see me together with Nameless.🤍

When I do something with the terrarium, Dakota always has to watch what's going on. He's very headstrong and likes to design himself. No idea where he got this from. 🤷‍♂️

Except for the painting, I haven't posted about Dakota in a year and a half!😲

To compensate for that, there is not only a photo, but also a poem that I wrote 6 years ago.🙈

It's in German, but I've translated it for you below.🐁

-

Die Schlange

Im Dunkel vergraben, harrte sie aus.
Ihr Kleid ward zu eng, niemals kam sie heraus.
Die Sicht ward trüber Nebelschwaden gleich.
Sie harrte aus, das Kleid ward feucht, das Kleid ward weich.

Es drängte sich, ein Muskelzucken, unruhig auf.
Es schlängelte sich, zum Mäuseschlucken, schon bald herauf.
Der Drang zum Gedeihen, er ward ihr inne.
Ein neuer Glanz, ward in ihr, da drinne.

Sie kam nach oben, platzte gleich.
Ihr glänzend Körper, voll Muskelfleisch.

-

The Snake

Buried in the dark, she persevered.
Her dress was too tight, she never came out.
The view was like gloomy clouds of mist.
She persevered, the dress became damp, the dress became soft.

It urged itself, a muscle twitch, restlessly.
It soon snaked up for mice to swallow.
The urge to thrive, it became her.
There was a new shine in her inside.

She came up and was about to burst.
Her shiny body, full of muscle meat.

You are now taking part in the staring contest with Arsinoë and Loki 😉

Arsinoë 😛

Today is World Lizard Day!
🦎🦎🦎🦎🦎🦎🦎🦎🦎🦎

Banana Joe is already more than 20 years old. Since 2001 he lives with me. I chose him for his wild temperament and his nice looking regenerated tail. My first thought was: He looks like a banana! 🍌

Loki is the first at the waterhole. Her mother Arsinoë watches her and waits. Then Berenike comes sneaking in from behind and takes the coveted place.😜 Keeping in groups is a very special topic in leopard geckos. I wouldn't advise beginners!

In German literature, group housing is often recommended. But that's based on misunderstandings.

Leopard geckos are most often loners in nature. But there are also huge aggregations, in particularly suitable places.

In some cases, they already show signs of social behaviour, such as gaze following. But they also can be very brutal! You have to offer them plenty of space and hiding places and analyse their behaviour. It's very interesting!

In this video you can see that the geckos have a clear relationship to each other. If this were not the case, they would now vibrate with their tails. And then possibly make a small exchange of blows, or get along immediately. Every now and then this has to be clarified.💕

This Loki💓 entertainment is all you need! 😜