Careful handling and being aware of jumping

[Nooey]

Hello!

I'm new to the forum and to crestie ownership - became a proud mum to my lovely little crestie today in fact! So I'm not planning on handling my crestie for a little while, but when I was doing my research I read a lot about cresties jumping, and when I was transferring my crestie from its transportation box to its new home today, s/he did jump an incredible distance for no apparent reason! Ive also noticed him/her leaping around the terrarium today, which was very sweet I'm concerned however about damaging his/her little body if s/he suddenly decides to jump, and I'm generally concerned about how to deal with jumping. Are there any environmental causes for jumping (eg being afraid of handling, being frightened/threatened) or is it simply a natural behaviour for cresties? How should I handle my crestie and be aware of jumping? Basically, am I worrying too much?!

Also, for the last hour my crestie has been very still on the floor of the terrarium, with little sign of breathing. Is s/he asleep or is something wrong?

 

[cilatusguy]

It is good to wait 1 to 2 weeks before trying to handle. To just let it chill out and get use to its new home. Baby crested geckos are almost always going to jump, whether it be them being spooked or just wanting to explore as you handle it more it will become a lot less jumpy.

Don't be shocked as to how far it can jump they are very athletic and springy

also, It can handle its self with controlling his leaping distance. Just as long as his tank isn't dreadfully tall he will be okay.

 

[LSeelt]

You should be fine. My one crestie is about 10 grams and she isn't usually jumpy, and she jumped from my hand to the floor (a good 4 feet) and was fine.

I find younger babies and stressed crested geckos to be more jumpy, but they all tend to jump around their enclosure. Like the previous poster said, as long at their enclosure isn't too tall (24" tall should be more than fine) then your crestie should be A-OK.

One thing you can do when you do handle your gecko is hold it on your hand and wrap your thumb gently over top of it and place your other hand over that so that your gecko is protected while you are moving it (for example, to clean its enclosure, or to move it to a new one).

Good on you for knowing that they need a warming up period to get used to their new home! Give it a couple of weeks, and you can then start working on getting your gecko used to you too!

 

[KTyne]

I just want to point out that your terrarium can be as tall as you possibly can make it as long as it has lots of foliage and vines and things for the Crestie to land on and catch itself.
Do you think Crested Geckos only have 24 inch trees to climb in the wild?

 

[LSeelt]

Sorry, I assumed that most people wouldn't have a terrarium more than 24" tall. I still wouldn't personally keep a very small crestie in anything taller than that even if they could handle it. Takes a lot to fill. But you're right, they climb generally up as high as 10 feet in the wild, so there's no worry about the height of the terrarium unless it's pretty empty.

 

[cassicat4]

Both cresties and gargs can usually handle large leaps/falls without issue. Physically, they're designed to be able to do so.

The issue comes from how they land, and whether they're healthy to begin with. A bad fall (say, on their head or back) on a hard surface can damage their bodies no matter how short the distance. Likewise, an unhealthy gecko i.e. afflicted with MBD can suffer breaks and fractures from a very short distance as well.

For handling, to lessen the risk, just be sure to do so over a short distance (e.g. sitting on the floor) or soft surface (e.g. bed, couch).

Any update on your gecko? Your description of him laying on the floor barely breathing sounded a bit concerning.

 

[Nooey]

Thank you all for your advice, it's very helpful Every day I've been putting my hand in the terrarium for a minute or so to let my crestie get used to the sight and smell of me, but I'm still giving it space and not trying to grab it. How long do baby cresties generally take to become accustomed to handling?

Good news cassicat4 - my crestie is currently sitting on its log watching me; I think it might be wanting to eat, which is a good sign. I've read that they don't like to be watched when they eat, is this true? Thank you for your concern, cassicat4, I was very worried too but I think it was just a case of the poor thing still being a bit unsure of its surroundings. It seems much happier now, and has more of a routine, which is promising!

 

[cassicat4]

Glad to hear your gecko is doing well now.

As for handling - it really does depend on the individual gecko. Some take to handling right away, others in time, others never really do. Continue doing what you're doing with trying to get your crestie used to your smell, and then after the initial adjustment period, start out by placing your hand close to your gecko to see if he/she will willingly walk onto you. Some will, which is great! Others won't, and will need to be carefully picked up.

I've personally never heard that they don't like to be watched while eating. If anything, I think it would be more that you're a distraction if you're right there, and they're attempting to eat. I can hand-feed any of my geckos and they'll willingly take to the food. However, if they're left to their own devices to hunt down crickets in their bowl, any movement outside of their enclosure is enough for them to stop what they're doing and see what's going on. They can be kind of attention-deficit at times.