So have have a female Leo that I have had for about 9 months, I don't handle her much, now that is winter I have lots of time in the evenings so I have been just putting my hand flat in her tank, last time I did this she licked my hand and even climbed over it! tonite though, she bit my hand and wouldn't let go!! She's always been super sweet!! I know they get startled but I didn't do anything to startle her!! What do I do so that I don't scare her and have her bite again!! She has done this once before but I realized that time I did startle her so I can't blame her that time. Please help!!
She keeps biting!
- Thread starter Iloveice
- Start date
She might thing your finger is a really big tasty mealworm. The next time you try to pick her up, slide your hand under her. Make a little cave for her in your hand. Then let her walk from hand to hand. This way, you won't end up with your hand in front of her which is just asking her to bite if she thinks it's food.
Aliza
Aliza
XoVictoryXo
New member
You might just have a leo that likes to bite! lol
Not all geckos tolerate being held!
Luckily the bites dont hurt too bad.
My female is a biter/runner/skittish
My male is more tame and forgiving.... however he is a biter sometimes too.
They dont actually LIKE humans, they associate us as "those things bring heat and food"
biting is just part of the leo parent contract;
Not all geckos tolerate being held!
Luckily the bites dont hurt too bad.
My female is a biter/runner/skittish
My male is more tame and forgiving.... however he is a biter sometimes too.
They dont actually LIKE humans, they associate us as "those things bring heat and food"
biting is just part of the leo parent contract;
lovemyleopardgeckos
New member
i think they DO like people! Because i have 4 leopard geckos and Zippy always comes when i caller and LOVES to be held! She is even learning how to play soccer! :biggrin::yahoo:
Wheels47130
New member
I agree. I think they can like people. They have different personalities. Some have good attitudes and some not so much. One of my stands up and listens when I talk. It jumps right in my hand when I put it in. We have together.
XoVictoryXo
New member
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news...
first look up the word Anthropomorphic (think its time i set up a new thread for explaining this term)
They are purely acting off of instinct and survival...
welcome to the world of reptiles LOL we are being used for our heat source and access to food
first look up the word Anthropomorphic (think its time i set up a new thread for explaining this term)
They are purely acting off of instinct and survival...
welcome to the world of reptiles LOL we are being used for our heat source and access to food
Geckologist.tj
Member
I have no problem with people thinking their gecko "likes" them provided it doesn't generate poor husbandry, but really and truly, they do not have the mental capability to have affection. I think they can get to a point where they feel secure enough with us to want to explore us and use us as a means to explore other suroundings. I believe this is why some leos seem to "like" being handled. They recognize the hand as the thing that takes them out of the 12in x 30in prison they are typically confined to, and that is why they eagerly climb into it.
Other things are not so easily explained, though, like why my oldest leopard gecko will sit on my knee and watch Frasier on tv, but nothing else. ???? I've tried for 4 years to figure that one out, and still haven't come up with anything.
Other things are not so easily explained, though, like why my oldest leopard gecko will sit on my knee and watch Frasier on tv, but nothing else. ???? I've tried for 4 years to figure that one out, and still haven't come up with anything.
cricket4u
New member
I can't say they do not feel the need to escape their prison walls:
12in x 30in prison they are typically confined to
This is one of the reason I believe we should provide as much space and enrichment in their enclosure as possible.
Many times people do not realize that when we remove them from the enclosure there's the sudden temp drop. What happens when they are not warm enough? They become sluggish and appear tame. "Room temp" normally around 70's is quite chilly for them while we are comfortable.
How does one react when we are in fear? Some will run and try to hide, others will freeze in fear hoping not to be eaten. Taming is basically overpowering a reptile. After a while they realize they can not compete with the huge thing (human). Obviously the human benefits and is clueless as to how weak and intimidated his/her own pet feels.
12in x 30in prison they are typically confined to
This is one of the reason I believe we should provide as much space and enrichment in their enclosure as possible.
Many times people do not realize that when we remove them from the enclosure there's the sudden temp drop. What happens when they are not warm enough? They become sluggish and appear tame. "Room temp" normally around 70's is quite chilly for them while we are comfortable.
How does one react when we are in fear? Some will run and try to hide, others will freeze in fear hoping not to be eaten. Taming is basically overpowering a reptile. After a while they realize they can not compete with the huge thing (human). Obviously the human benefits and is clueless as to how weak and intimidated his/her own pet feels.
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
lovemyleopardgeckos
New member
ok so first i am buying a little ball and some treats and i will keep persisting until she gets it! Also leopard geckos can like people. i can tell because zippy ALWAYS sleeps on me and listens to when i am talking! and when i am sad or mad she does funny things! Yes they do have instinct but it is not to listen to you talk or play dead on your hand.
lovemyleopardgeckos
New member
also i have to buy a ball. but tomorrow she is starting soccer! I will get a video of her when she learns it! thanks for the nice comments! people think geckos are not smart but they are VERY smart!
Wheels47130
New member
I think it's cool. We can't be for sure about anything that doesn't speak if they like us. Ok, maybe some people feel better about calling it Trusting us. Whatever you call it, some do show more affection then others.
cricket4u
New member
Actually, they do not need to speak for us to know they are uncomfortable with handling. There's body language and monitoring of vital signs. There's an instrument called an Ultrasonic doppler blood flow detection which your gecko's vet should have and only costs about $400. When a gecko is under stress his heart rate will increase and so will his breathing rate. If you took the readings while in the enclosure, then take them after you pull them out, I'm sure you'll notice a good increase. A relaxed leo's vital signs should remain stable. I'm just informing you that those who know what to look for can decipher if a leo is comfortable or not.
lovemyleopardgeckos
New member
i tried teaching her soccer. it didn't work. But i did teach her to play dead! i will get a video!:biggrin:
cassicat4
New member
Geckos of many species are generally not big fans of being pet. Many can learn to tolerate handling very well, but petting them on the head or sides, back or tail often results in defensiveness on their part. These are vulnerability points for them - they can't see you, and in nature, would often be attacked by a predator in one of these locations.
This is why it's often recommended when handling to simply scoop them up from underneath and allow them to walk/go where they want on you without you getting your hands in their face or all over them. Even my most docile geckos will start breathing quicker if I touch them on the back or head...and these are geckos I've had and worked with for years.
I also have other geckos who tolerate being held just fine...but if my fingers come anywhere near their face/heads, they get very defensive and will attempt to bite.
Handling should always be tailored to what your gecko will tolerate and what works best for them, not you. In your case, your gecko sees you as food or possibly a stressor when you have your hands that close to her head. Scoop her up from the side and allow her to lick you, if she chooses, on her terms.