Decided to work on making my crestie friendly..well that backfired a cute/scary way

[Solagratia500]

So this is more of a little story that's funny...in a not funny sorta way. So I read several places that one way to get your baby crestie use to you is to hand feed them when you take them out so they associate you with good things. It was working great he'd lick the replashy right off my finger and I'd feed him a mealie a couple times a week trying to avoid overdoing it so he didn't get addicted. But he was vicious with them! Well lately every time I open the enclosure at night he scurries right over. So here I am trying not to squeal because my hard work is finally paying off and he's not afraid of me! ( he's a juvenile at this point and I had cut back on the hand feedings a bit).

Well I'm fixing a log in his enclosure he's hanging around following my hand when suddenly he lunges, grabbing and holding into my finger. So of course shocked as I am accidentally yank my hand out and he plops in my lap( he was fine). But now every time I go into his tank he hunts me! If I pat or nudge him it basically deactivates him and he goes "oh you have no food? Well screw you" and waddles away. But now I can't hand feed him anymore... And just have to hope he stops associating fingers with yummy things... Lesson learned. Has this ever happened to anyone else or do I just have a rare adorable killer wannabe? I didn't think they had it in their personalities! He's absolutely fearless too. ( But I still love the little bugger and we've nicknamed him the murder beast)

Added the pic in as well. funny how he can look so stinkin cute and yet I always get a feeling of dread when I see that look on his face

 

[scotty08724]

My female crestie, since she was a month old, she was a biter. She has never taken a liking to crested gecko diet, I've tried them all, and in all their flavor. The only one she will occasionally eat is Pangea banana papaya. She is a pure insectivore by choice, so I have to dust the prey items with crested gecko diet. Now a year later and she still bites me every chance she gets. And I don't mean she bites me as in "I was handeling her and she didn't like it" or anything, (I never handle her or even try) sometimes she will jump clear across the cage and latch on to my hand. She is so crazy that she occasionally jumps face first into the glass to try to bite anyone that comes with in a foot of her cage. I had her in with my male crestie, for a few days and I felt bad for him because every time he tried to mate with her, she would bite him, on the face or on the tail. One time the male was just crawling across the opening of her hide(where she was sleeping) and she let him walk 3/4 of the way across but then pounced and bit his.... "Baby makers". That's the last time they were ever together. Her behavior is great for a display animal (which mine are) where an aggressive feeding response is usually the highlight of night, but I got my crestie specifically because they are known to be easily handle able. Although that's not the case for me, I love her just the same.

 

[Solagratia500]

Well if I handle him outside the cage or if I touch him he's fine, it's like..he has to realize I don't have the food on me first or something. Honestly it reminds me of snakes how they have to be tapped first to shut off the feeding snap response before ya grab them. But he's a great eater both of his insects and his MRP. It is really amusing to watch him attack the insects so viciously though. But that's crazy that you're female is so vicious! Also it's kinda funny when attacking the male what she goes after..poor guy but I hope he was ok. I think my boys behavior is my own fault though, although sounds like I was grooming a part of his vicious little nature too. Proof that they have personalities!

 

[savannah blue]

I tong feed my guys crickets and silkies. Sometimes it takes place within the enclosure; other times while perched on my hand. They don't associate my fingers with food. They are very docile and sleep out in the open. I have feeding stations set up in my enclosures where they can free feed anytime they want. Sometimes its just a phase they go through when they are adolescents and get a bit hormonal and bitty. As far at the bitty female goes…She is clear as to where her boundaries are!