A reptile that hugs you is only looking for your warmth or tries to eat you.

Kleptothermy, theft of warmth, is a form of thermoregulation. It occurs in a wide variety of animal species, including human. For example when we cuddle up because it's cold.

Reptiles* cannot create body heat themselves. Their metabolism is dependent on external heat sources.

When your reptile hugs it body against you, it certainly feels safe. But it doesn't do it out of affection, but because you are warm.

It's still a nice feeling.

You should always keep in mind, that it's better for the animal not to take it out of the terrarium.

My leopard geckos are about to winter rest. I initiate a near-natural rest at a temperature of around 12°C.
It's important to get an accurate picture of the animals health beforehand. This includes taking fecal samples, scanning the body for abnormalities and assessing the strength of the animal.

*From a cladistic point of view, which is the scientific standard today, the reptiles as a monophyletic taxon, i.e. as a natural (complete) descent group (Reptilia as clade), should at least also contain the birds, which are warm-blooded.

Giant African land snail
(Achatina fulica, "White Jade")
pushes off its epiphragm. 🐌

An epiphragm is created to seal the aperture of the shell against desiccation. The main function is to reduce water loss during inactivity. It also protects against parasites and predators. Certain species of snails can remain alive as they pass through the digestive tract of predators because of the protection from the digestive enzymes.

Philosophizing about time and space and chirping crickets...🦗🎶

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

Hello, I'm Nameless! Never heard of me? 💕

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! 🍌

It's a while ago that I showed Fusili 🐌💕

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! 😜