Any harm in holding off handling of my leopard gecko?

[TheOneBlueGecko]

So, I have had my new gecko for about a month and a half. She had some issues at the start where she was not eating, but has turned around and improved. She was quite small when I got her, so I think she is only 2.5 to 3 months old at the max.

I am not one of the gecko owners that feels the need to hold her and take her out of the cage all the time, but I want her to be comfortable enough that she can be held if absolutely necessary. For example taking her to the vet or cleaning her cage.

I have tried placing my hand against the floor of her cage to get her used to it, but this really seems to stress her out. Would it be harmful in the long run if I held off on trying to get her used to being held until she is older.

 

[Graham_s]

Younger geckos are generally more skittish and less handleable.
I have found that with leopard geckos, they generally become more docile and tolerant of handling as they grow older. Some individuals never seem to calm down though and are always a bit flighty.

 

[Saskia]

All my geckos start to calm down at about 2 weeks of age.... I start hand feeding them when they are very very small, 1-2 weeks old so they start relating my hand to food and therefor they are not so fearfull of me, I start to handle them when they are about a month, I make them walk into my hand, and lift them a little bit, and so on, when they are near 6 months old I can pick them up... it is always a good thing that they are "tame" in case you need to handle them for some reason!

 

[TheOneBlueGecko]

I think I will hold off a couple more weeks and then move onto hand feeding her if it seems necessary. I think I was spoiled with my last gecko, she was a year old and already used to being held when I got her.

 

[eliquidmatt]

My male was VERY nervous when I first got him and even up until he was about 11 - 12 months old. I was confident enough to pick him up should the need arise (vet's, cleaning etc) but never even bothered to handle him for any other reason. Didn't think it was fair and to be honest, he's always had such character that I didn't feel the need to hand tame him.

Then about 2 months ago I was preparing a new, larger viv for him and decided to lay my hand flat in front of him, just on the off chance he would crawl on... low and behold he did! Spent a good 10 minutes walking around my hands, arms and shoulders before hopping off and exploring the new viv! Now it's got to the point where he sits by the door everynight at around 8pm waiting for his nightly handling! Once he's been out he'll move back into the viv and settle down.. amazing really!

Whoever said reptiles don't make for loyal pets eh!?

 

[Riverside Reptiles]

I don't really handle any of my reptiles any more than I have to. I'm just not into the whole concept of "taming" them any more than need be. They all learn over time that I'm the "food guy" and that I don't intend on hurting them. Some are more laid back than others. But there's certainly no reason that you should feel like you HAVE to "tame" your gecko.

 

[Mardy]

^ Yup once they realize you are the "food guy/girl" then they'll be fine. Younger leos are more skittish, so those take time. Of course there's always a chance that you'll find one that does not like to be held at all.

 

[TheOneBlueGecko]

Good, people talk about holding them so much it is hard not to feel a bit off for not feeling the need to. I want her comfortable enough with me that when I need to move her, she will not overly stress, but do not need any more than that. I enjoy watching her in her tank, I have my cat when I want to cuddle something fluffy.

I think I am going to try to work on associating my presence with cricket time and work my way up from there.

My previous leopard gecko would tolerate being held for a short amount of time, but never acted in any way that suggested it was something she desired. After she tried to eat one of my knuckles when cleaning her tank (she left a nice ring of teeny tiny cuts) picked her up less, but she still would tolerate it when I did.

 

[badkelpie]

Yeah, I've got no issue not holding my gecko. I have gotten her used to being picked up, in case I ever need to for any reason, but I don't have any desire to make her hand tame. I have dogs and cats, they're plenty affectionate, my gecko can just chill and be a lizard.

 

[bwoodfield]

Buffy is quite odd when it comes to handling. During the day if she is out she is quite skittish and will generally hid if you open the tank door. At night if you open the door she seems quite interested in what you're doing. If you stare at her she gets REALLY interested in you and will walk up as close as she can, but she will still run if you put your hand too close.

The other day I weighed her. During then she bit 3 of my fingers and my hand twice, or rather tried to bite me. Her jaw and teeth aren't strong enough to break skin. She didn't seem to be scared, more angry. Of course being an animal it's more the fight or flight instinct so I'm sure she was attempting to bite to get me to let go so she could get away.

 

[Debbie7054]

Wonder if its something to do with that time my gecko's all want to climb on me then too. They all walk out over my hand up my arm wander around then go back in. Really funnt apart from when a few do it at the same time then its bedlam lol