Crested Gecko Leashes
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Riverside Reptiles
Administrator (HMFIC)
Inappropriate
the_sneetch
New member
Crested geckos are not dogs, and therefore should never be put on a leash. Worst idea I've ever heard of in my life.
pakinjak
Member
Yeah, we're not even talking about an iguana or a bearded dragon here. While I can at least somewhat understand the former two being put on a leash, using one with a small, arboreal, gecko is a very bad idea to my mind.
I'd suggest a fundamental change in your philosophy of husbandry- adapt your methods to the species you're keeping, not try to adapt the species to your method. If you do really want an animal that you put on a leash, then an appropriate mammal would be a good choice. If you want one that will hang out with you, then perhaps a bearded dragon would work. They are very tolerant of handling and will just hang on out on your arm or leg while you watch a football game.
But a crested gecko is a flighty, jumpy species that is hard wired to think something is going to eat it and putting it on a leash will always cause it stress. You probably won't notice this stress unless it currently has its tail, which will likely automatize while wearing the leash. Reptiles don't exhibit the same stress markers that mammals do; they can be sitting there looking normal while freaking out the entire time. Cresteds also move by jumping very often, and the animal is likely to be hurt while on a leash.
I'd suggest a fundamental change in your philosophy of husbandry- adapt your methods to the species you're keeping, not try to adapt the species to your method. If you do really want an animal that you put on a leash, then an appropriate mammal would be a good choice. If you want one that will hang out with you, then perhaps a bearded dragon would work. They are very tolerant of handling and will just hang on out on your arm or leg while you watch a football game.
But a crested gecko is a flighty, jumpy species that is hard wired to think something is going to eat it and putting it on a leash will always cause it stress. You probably won't notice this stress unless it currently has its tail, which will likely automatize while wearing the leash. Reptiles don't exhibit the same stress markers that mammals do; they can be sitting there looking normal while freaking out the entire time. Cresteds also move by jumping very often, and the animal is likely to be hurt while on a leash.
c81kennedy
New member
You guys are being pretty harsh. Why are you being so rude to someone who asked a question. There is a better way to educate someone. IT's a shame how rude someone can be when they can hide behind a post.
pakinjak
Member
I don't think I'm being rude at all, I simply responded to the question and tried to give clear reasons why I think the OP should abandon the idea of putting a crested gecko on a leash. If honestly asked I dont see why it cant be honestly answered. If your old enough to make the post, you're old enough to learn why what you're asking about is a bad idea.
MACHI_vallism
Member
I found the answer to be quite well worded and respectfully answered, I can think of worse ways to answer. And he's right Cresties aren't the kind of animal to be leashed and I find it's best not to handle them too much.
Riverside Reptiles
Administrator (HMFIC)
I've been watching this thread quite closely and not found anyone to have been rude at all. Simple, constructive, and intelligent advice has been the majority of what I've seen so far. Trust me, on many other forums this would have been much less constructive. It's simply not a good idea to put a leash on a crested gecko. It might not be what the OP wants to hear, but it's the truth.
PassPort
New member
I'm with Kennedy on this one! It's terrible that you're being so rude to a poor girl who just wants to put a leash on a 4 inch baby gecko. What's so wrong with that? It's not like she wanted to put a **** in a *** or anything.
c81kennedy
New member
No I agree it's wrong to put a leash on a gecko. Just not how it was explained.
Can we simply agree that it is wrong to put any non-mammal animal (even in mammal there are very few species that are really ok with that) on a leash? Reptiles are hideous and thought animals and get stressed very easily. Everyone who tries to cuddle his animals and wants to watch tv with them or brings them into his car to drive them around (read that in GU as well I think..) has not understood the behavior of reptiles and should IMO not be allowed to own such animals. It is cruel and harms them long term, if you want to hear it or not. This is no personal topic that everyone can decide for himself, these are general things that should not be done with reptiles. If I sound rude, I don't care. There are too many people who don't understand this stuff and should better get a dog or a cat than reptiles that should be stressed as less as possible. I even saw someone who put wings on a leachianus on Facebook. Wtf? Why don't you simply leave it in there and watch its interesting behavior?
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cassicat4
New member
I actually disagree with you on all your points, but that's neither here nor there.
To the OP - the reptile harnesses/leashes were not designed for geckos, period. Even a full-grown crested gecko would not do well with one. And if your gecko has a tail still, the stress from trying to get him to tolerate the leash may very well cause him to drop it.
What was your reasoning for wanting a leash for your gecko?
The harnesses/leashes were designed for larger, sturdier reptiles. It's recommended that reptiles such as bearded dragons, water dragons, iguanas etc. for example get exposed to actual UVB light directly from the sun by taking them outdoors for short bursts during the warmer months. Sick or ailing reptiles (of the large variety) are also sometimes recommended (by herp vets) to be placed in the direct rays of the sun as the UVB exposure is much better than what they get from their lights. The harnesses are intended to prevent your reptile from bolting or running away when you have them outdoors. For people who don't have fences or secure areas, these harnesses are necessary. As well, anyone who takes reptiles to shows for educational purposes will often have them on harnesses (again, large ones only) in the event that they get stressed and try and run.
No, I don't believe you should take your reptile for a walk down the street on a leash, as they aren't dogs and it's very risky to your reptile.
But don't be so quick to judge, and say that all harnesses/leashes are bad and anyone who puts their reptile on one is cruel.
If I want to have my animals exposed to natural sunlight during the warmer months of the year, I put them into outdoor screen cages. This is much healthier for the animals than stressing them out with leashes, sorry. I don't see any necessarity to put them on a leash. If you don't agree with the things that I said in the last post, please explain why. I don't see any valid reason for doing something like that. Showing animals for educational reasons is a little different but those are mostly very calm individuals and used to it. But in that case I would agree that leashes might be ok. For the private sector: no way. Get him a cheap screen cage or build one yourself, put some branches and soil in it and that's it. An outdoor vacation for some weeks is so much healthier and not as stressful as bringing the animal out on a leash for 30 minutes.
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And if I call a concentration camp a "vacation hotel" you're believing that? There is so much useless crap out there and you wanna tell me just because a product exists there is a right for it to exist and a right for you to buy and use it with a good conscience?
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Riverside Reptiles
Administrator (HMFIC)
You asked, I gave a simple answer. I didn't think that it required an essay as to why it shouldn't be used. As you can see, the general consensus is that it's not appropriate.
gawaynelcy
New member
One can simply search the meaning of "Inappropriate" from a few mouse clicks and keyboarding away:
in·ap·pro·pri·ate/ˌinəˈprōprē-it/
Adjective:
Not suitable or proper in the circumstances: "inappropriate behavior".
Synonyms:
improper - unsuitable - inapt - unbecoming - inept
So, what the admin was telling is that it is not suitable to leash your gecko
why do some people get so emotional over such replies?
For me, if a Doctor is not being straight-forward enough, that means he/she is doing some PR job.
We are talking about taking care of a living thing. One mistake and it might take the life away.
in·ap·pro·pri·ate/ˌinəˈprōprē-it/
Adjective:
Not suitable or proper in the circumstances: "inappropriate behavior".
Synonyms:
improper - unsuitable - inapt - unbecoming - inept
So, what the admin was telling is that it is not suitable to leash your gecko
why do some people get so emotional over such replies?
For me, if a Doctor is not being straight-forward enough, that means he/she is doing some PR job.
We are talking about taking care of a living thing. One mistake and it might take the life away.
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pakinjak
Member
I normally find quoting in a forum debate pretty snide, but I want to be very clear what I'm addressing here. Of course there is such a thing called a gecko leash. If there is, or can be a market for something, someone will make it. I really do hope you're not choosing to buy a gecko leash just because it's called one when there has been good and compelling reasons given why you should not do such a thing. Please reconsider, it is not a good idea. You may enjoy it, but the gecko will not.