New to geckos, need handling advice

[Whyshouldanyone]

Hello, I just bought two baby leopard geckos about a month ago. I really like this website because everyone here seems to be very knowledgeable on the threads I have looked at so far.

My problem is I had originally bought fine vita-sand with calcium in it, thinking that it would be GOOD for my geckos. But, everything I've been reading says that it is bad for them even if the package says it's good. I want to check their stomachs for impaction but when I try to pick them up they get very startled and run away. They have eaten out of my hand a few times but I think I'm just scared to pick them up! I also need to check and see if they are, in actuality, a male and female like I think they are.

So, what's the best way to pick them up to check for these things that scares them (and me) the least?

 

[acpart]

The best bet is to wait until they climb on your hand by putting in your hand frequently and talking to them so they get used to you. To be honest, with some geckos you could wait forever for them to do that. Another technique is to slide one hand under it and kind of shoo it onto your hand with your other hand, then make a little cave out of your hand so it can sit there. When I pick up my hatchlings to check them every day, I sometimes pick them up by gently putting one finger on either side of them (between the front and back legs), lifting them up, and placing them on my hand. You just have to be prepared for them to bolt, so do the cave thing to keep them there. The calci sand is probably not a good idea. People who use sand often use play sand which is finer. Most people (there are exceptions) don't use sand with babies and many of us don't use sand with any leos. It is a sometimes acrimonious debate. I use ceramic tile with all my leos except the ones in the plastic tubs. It holds heat well, looks good and is easy to clean.

Aliza

 

[Sinosauropteryx]

Checking for impaction

First of all, no loose inorganic substrate is good for any lizard. It all has the capability to cause impaction. I am not saying it is BAD for them, just that it is not GOOD for them when it is ingested. Any product that tells you otherwise is lying to you to sell itself.

Second, if your leopard geckos are new and hence have a good reason for being skittish, don't overhandle them or you will just stress them out more than they already are. Give them anywhere from a day to a week to get used to their new home without any interruptions. If you think they may be impacted, watch for other signs like bloating, loss of apetite, or sand in their faeces. If they are hatchlings or juveniles, take them off the sand and use paper towel or some other hard or compact substrate. No matter what the age, it is always better to handfeed your gecko or put your bugs in a feeding dish - along with proper calcium supplementation - to decrease the risk of your gecko ingesting the substrate accidentally.

 

[Whyshouldanyone]

Thanks guys, you are so nice. I put down rough tiles today over the sand so that they can't eat it anymore, and I put a dish in for the food also. I kind of shooed them into my clear cricket box and looked at their stomachs from underneath and they seemed to look fine. I'll try the cave thing with my hands, I don't plan on picking them up very often I just want to make sure they both aren't males. Thanks so much for the advice!

 

[acpart]

Another thing you can do if all you want is to sex them is to get them into a clear plastic or glass container and then look underneath it. I spent more than 6 months waiting for my little day gecko to climb the side of the tank nearest to me so I could sex her!

Aliza