um, it's kind of awkward...

[nachash]

I've been sitting on this for a while, wondering if I should post it, but I can't sit on it any longer... may the moderators forgive me (pleeeeeeeez)

Okay, so I have two leopard geckos in the same tank, male and female. They have known each other, Biblically... For awhile Pam's been giving Morrison the cold shoulder.
So, and I know someone is going to call BS on me, but I swear (Jim) Morrison is doing something that looks a lot like self service (look up Onanism).
He rubs himself (hemipenes area) against his warm side rock, in a trance like state, and then will suddenly squawk, and go lay down. I have tried to find more about animal self pleasure, and found extensive information on mammals and birds, but nothing about reptiles. Now, what I described above has happened several times, so I am not willing to argue that point. But maybe I don't know what I am really seeing... any thoughts?
AND... please note that Jim Morrison is the Lizard King and that he can do ANYTHING

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

Hopefully someone with experience with this can answer your question. I use to have love birds and males that are alone in their cage will often choose a toy to "get it on" with. I've never heard of reptiles doing it though.

[mues155]

Hopefully someone with experience with this can answer your question. I use to have love birds and males that are alone in their cage will often choose a toy to "get it on" with. I've never heard of reptiles doing it though.

I agree, Ive had birds pleasure themselves before, but never a reptile.
Interesting though! Very possibly I think.

[nachash]

Well, I am going out on a limb here, I understand

but i think a lot of people underestimate the forces at work in reptiles. Most sources explain that reptiles are purely instinctual animals. I am sure instinct plays an enormous part in their behavior. But to say that all reptiles are genetically preset in their every responses to stimuli has to be wrong.
Morrison is clearly doing something. He has done it multiple times. I doubt it's a symptom of something as he is healthy all around.
The real issue i think is if it is physiologically possible based on the anatomy of a gecko.

[MasonC2K]

Lizards are a little higher on the intelligence chain than snakes. I have no experience with geckos but I had green iguanas once upon a time and during mating season by male was one to keep an eye on. Not just for mating aggression but also because of...mating...*cough*...aggression. Or confusion rather.

Don't wear anything bright green during iguana mating season around lonely male iguanas.

[stratus_020202]

Lizards are a little higher on the intelligence chain than snakes. I have no experience with geckos but I had green iguanas once upon a time and during mating season by male was one to keep an eye on. Not just for mating aggression but also because of...mating...*cough*...aggression. Or confusion rather.

Don't wear anything bright green during iguana mating season around lonely male iguanas.

Oh. That made me LOL.

[bassistjon112]

I have seen mine doing this as well. I believe from what I read that they are marking their territory. I'm not positive(it was so long ago that i read about it) but I do know it's normal.