Handeling Help.

Kitchen

Kitchen

New member
I am having some handeling trouble with my leopard gecko. I have had it for about a month and a half now (it is probably around 5 months old). It is in excellent condition and is shedding very nicely. It eats well on gut loaded dusted crickets and theres calcium always in the tank. Theres a UTH keeping it at around 90 F and the air temp is around 72ish (its a little cold here in canada).

Anyway, I have tried introducing myself to him in many ways but nothing seems to work. It wont even stay out of his hide if I enter the room. I have tried just putting my hand in the tank on the floor and letting it check it out. And it does look at it and put his nose on it but not once has it gone on my hand.

I know things take time but it has been a while and if anything he is more shy than my shy lizards lol. I can't even observe him at night cuz if I am there he will hide.

Any help would be nice.
 
J

Jdwright

New member
it could be a problem that you didnt cause. if a gecko is mistreated when it is first handled by a human or if it has had a bad problem in the past, then it could be a little scared of a human hand for a while. where did you get your gecko from? when i got my second leopard gecko, it was in petco and the person i got it from picked it up by its tail and threw it in a box and handed it to me. i got that one when it was juvenile too, but the good news is that it eventually got used to me and didnt mind me handling it. it just takes some time, patients, and trust with your gecko... hope this helps
 
Kitchen

Kitchen

New member
I got him from pets unlimited. He seemed to be well cared for. Though when I bought him it was tricky getting him to cooperate. So maybe that is why he is shy.

It just seems like he isn't getting any more used to me at all. All he does is hide. :(
 
J

Jdwright

New member
are there any other geckos in the tank or are there a lot of crickets running around? because that can cause them to hide. also, do you have any source of heat from a light or anything else?
 
Kitchen

Kitchen

New member
No the gecko is in there by himself. And there are no crickets left in. I take out un-eaten ones after 15 mins or so.

The temps seem fine to me. Though I am no expert. I have a 50watt night glo at night but thats mainly so I can see him.

Should I put him on a daylight cycle?
 
J

Jdwright

New member
well, im not an expert either, but you could try raising the air temp. and it might help get him out a little bit more. i know that helps mine get more active. also, do you have other tanks that carry other reptiles or pets next to your tank with your gecko?
 
Kitchen

Kitchen

New member
No at the moment he is the only lizard in this room.

Thanks for the advise though. Ill try a 12 hour light in the day and im gunna move him into my 15 gallon instead of my 20. I think it will help a bit because it will be a bit warmer since it is lower and its not nearly as high so it wont seem like i am coming from above the gecko when I put my hand in.

Any other tips would be great!
 
Airedale

Airedale

New member
You can't expect a gecko to crawl onto your hand and act like a mammal. Reptiles don't have the warm/fuzzy "emotions" or "affections". For me and my geckos, I take them out and let them crawl on me. As long as they aren't panicking or trying to bite me, (essentially, it is just so long as they tolerate me).

Plus, every gecko has a different personality. I have a couple that tolerate me being around, one that hides 90% of the time, and one that has a superiority complex and thinks she is bigger than me. You can generally teach them to tolerate you by gradually exposing them to yourself, letting them get used to your hand in the cage, and if they don't try to take off across the cage, slowly pick him up, and see how he reacts. Never make any sudden or quick movements, as this could startle them and they could jump out of your hand and injure themselves.

Basically, have patience, and realize that geckos aren't like dogs where they will show affection. They mainly will see you as a food source (I don't mean like a prey item, I mean like they see that you hand deliver they're food, lol), or a neutral part of their environment.
 
J

Jdwright

New member
Airedale said:
You can't expect a gecko to crawl onto your hand and act like a mammal. Reptiles don't have the warm/fuzzy "emotions" or "affections". For me and my geckos, I take them out and let them crawl on me. As long as they aren't panicking or trying to bite me, (essentially, it is just so long as they tolerate me).

Plus, every gecko has a different personality. I have a couple that tolerate me being around, one that hides 90% of the time, and one that has a superiority complex and thinks she is bigger than me. You can generally teach them to tolerate you by gradually exposing them to yourself, letting them get used to your hand in the cage, and if they don't try to take off across the cage, slowly pick him up, and see how he reacts. Never make any sudden or quick movements, as this could startle them and they could jump out of your hand and injure themselves.

Basically, have patience, and realize that geckos aren't like dogs where they will show affection. They mainly will see you as a food source (I don't mean like a prey item, I mean like they see that you hand deliver they're food, lol), or a neutral part of their environment.
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i would agree with this too, geckos do have different personalities than a mammal and have to be treated differently... but, i think over time as it gets older then it will realize you arent going to eat him... but if you want to try a smaller tank too, that is your call but i would wait a little first just to see.
 
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