Questions I NEED help with.

[TysonORGORE]

I just recently bought a crested gecko about 5 months ago. Have him in a big sized tank at the moment, its more longer than it is all. But I have a lot of up right tall plants, and with a lot of room for hiding and such. So I figured he'd be happy and everything, I always have food in there, either it be Rapashy crested gecko MRP, mushed up banana or the live crickets from time to time. But still, whenever I go to pick him up, he always runs and jumps away. And the times where I am able to get him, he ends up biting my finger, and holding on an not letting go for a while. Does anybody know why he may be doing this? I bought him when he was 1 month old.

ONE more thing is that I NEVER see him active, I have stayed up at night just to see what he does, and all day, and night. Where he was on a leaf, he just basically turned himself around and that was all, ALL night. He doesnt seem all that active. Any help of why hes acting this way would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[jnk144]

RE: Crested Juvenile Behavior

Did the little guy see you watching him? Maybe he was creeped out and THAT'S why he turned around.

Cresteds are jumpy by nature, and each has his or her own personality. Your's may not like being held at all. I have two juvies - the one prefers not to be held, so I don't - except as needed for health checks. The other one, an eight week old, named Maybe, has crawled to my hand while cleaning the cage - twice! I was shocked (I've only had Maybe since last Friday, and I'm sure Maybe doesn't have feelings towards me, but instead was probably curious).

(As an aside, most reptiles don't "like" being held or pet; they are merely displaying levels of tolerance).

 

[jnk144]

RE: Behavior - Linked to Environment

OR, your crested may not feel comfortable in his enclosure. Cresteds are arboreal and thus do best in an enclosure that is oriented vertically.

How often are you attempting to catch him? He is probably scared of being held, even if you only have the best of intentions. And, when you do hold him, he bites you, telling you he is uncomfortable being restrained (which is interpreted by many animals as a form of dominance).

The next time you try to catch him, he is going to run away, because the last time you held him, he was unhappy being held and bit you - he has a memory in place of what goes on between you two during restraint, and he won't forget it.

There are all kinds of reasons he could be acting this way - heck, even a blood test of his hormone levels could show that for some reason or another he has super high levels of testosterone, driving his aggressive behavior.

One more thing, I went searching for other threads on the same topic, check this one out - it includes a video on the subject - I think you will find it very informative.

http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...liatus/53842-getting-used-human-handling.html


With time, if he still behaves the same way, it is probably best for you to leave him be and enjoy him as a display animal.

Best of luck.

 

[TysonORGORE]

All that does make a lot of sense. He may not feel totally comfortable as I dont have A LOT of stuff in his tank at the moment, still working on that, and just recently got a job now so Ill be able afford more, and maybe make it more of a home for him.

I used to try and handle him a few times a week for about 15 mins. A breeder that I know, told me when they are babies to try and handle them a bit, but not much just to get them used to you and stuff. but lately when I try to handle him( which now is only like once every week or two) he runs away or bits me. And I only slowed down on handling him because he bit me all the time and stuff.

And Ill definitely take a look at that link right now.

But yeah, I guess he'll just have to be a display reptile.

ALTHOUGHHHH He is just TOOOO damn cute not to be held! hahaha

Feisty little prick! haha

But thank you very much for that information, much appreciated.

 

[Spyral]

I have a crestie that used to be a chronic biter, but she's calmed down a lot.

She doesn't love to be handled nowadays, but she does tolerate it.

 

[crestedguy]

It sounds like he's stressed. don't handle him too often. mist him at least twice a day. make sure that until he is acting normal, he is eating his crested gecko diet, and I would not do any fruit because it will keep him from getting used to the CGD. also make sure that you hold him gently and get him out slowly. try to coax him onto your hand insted of grabing him. wash your hands before you handle him cuz if he smells food then he might bite. keep your fingers together when you hold him and don't wiggle to much. They are not awake during the day so that is when you should hold him so that he does not watch your hand come in and get defensive.

 

[Melissa]

Crested gecko help

Hello,
You've gotten some good responses.
Crested geckos are not real active lizards. They are very visual,
and spend a lot of time looking when awake, and generally moving
slowly from branch to branch, or from whatever area they are set up
with.
As for biting, they do all have different personalities. I'm guessing
your gecko is biting out of fear. Don't force your gecko to be picked up,
but get him gently when he is less active during the day, then only for
short periods. He may eventually get used to handling. Much depends
on the individual gecko's personality.
Best wishes, and hopefully he'll get more relaxed with you.

Melissa