Idiot question

[docszoo]

Hi. I read in a book that a frog eyed geckos skin can be torn if you hold him. Is this true? (I fell like such an idiot asking this question when the answer is so obvouse

 

[Haroldo]

Granted I don't personally own any frog-eyed geckos myself, here's what I found:

Frog-eyed geckos are clad in scales of earthern hues. The scales of the head are small. Those of the trunk, limbs and tail are noticeably enlarged and "fishlike", with the scales along the top of the tail being the very largest. These scales permit greater ease of motion in fine-sand habitats. The skin of all species of frog-eyed geckos is very delicate and permeable. It can be easily torn if the gecko squirms while being handled.

I have ran across the above attributes many times before, so I think one can safely assume that their skin is indeed delicate, probably akin to day geckos?

 

[heiser]

skin sloughing

Frog-eyed geckos are indeed delicate and handling should not be encouraged. They have a defensive mechanism were the skin sloughs (tears off) if grabbed. It allows them to escape capture. I have seen this happen to a keyserlingii once by an inexperienced keeper. It looks quite aweful, but the gecko does survive. The skin will grow back. Of course if this happens, much like a dropped tail they should be kept in as clean/sterile environ as possible as infection is possible during the initial healing.

Regards,
John

 

[Brian]

I think they may have some control over it on some level. My animals have calmed down a lot and I even give them little boosts when they are climbing up some things in their enclosure and are slipping and getting no where. I don't grasp them though, but I use my hands to sheppard them into cups to move them during cleaning.

 

[docszoo]

Thanks. This helped Like I said, I did not know. What level of experience do you need with this species (overall)

 

[Brian]

I'm finding mine to be fairly easy so far. I'd think with cb they'd be suitable for a begginer. I haven't kept them real long though.

 

[DevinJM]

Yeah, they tear really easy if you are rough at all, and caution must be exercised when handling them, it doesn't stop me from handling them, but I am very cautious.