How do I tame my standing’s day gecko?

Raging_Crocodile

New member
So I have had this standings day gecko for about 10 months now. When I first got her as a baby, she was super tame, and would even take crickets right from my hand. But about 6 months ago, she dropped her tail. Ever since then she has been very timid and elusive. She will automatically dive for her bamboo hollow when I come in my room. I recently transferred her to a larger enclosure, but she still does the same thing, I rarely ever see her out of her bamboo hollow. What do I do to get this lizard tame?
 

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
All Phelsuma are really display only geckos including Phelsuma standingii. Any handling will really stress them.

Just watch and enjoy.
 

Raging_Crocodile

New member
I am aware that these are mostly display animals, but I can't enjoy it if she is hiding all the time, I rarely ever see her. I was just wondering if there was a way to get her less afraid of me, because she doesn't hide all day when I'm gone, only when I'm in the same room.
 

Hilde

Administrator
Staff member
It's quite normal to hide only when you're in the room. For all she knows, you could be a predator. Survival means hiding when you're around.
She's behaving like a normal gecko would in order to survive in the wild. Even though she's in captivity, she doesn't know the difference. A predator is the same, no matter where.
 

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
I am aware that these are mostly display animals, but I can't enjoy it if she is hiding all the time, I rarely ever see her. I was just wondering if there was a way to get her less afraid of me, because she doesn't hide all day when I'm gone, only when I'm in the same room.
Just curious. What circumstances caused her to drop her tail?

How about tempting her with Pangea on your fingertip near her bamboo hollow?

See whether she'll take some licks. Keep any movements slow so as not to startle her. Be patient.

If that works, very gradually move your finger further from her hide. See whether that will entice her further from the entrance.
 

Raging_Crocodile

New member
She lost her tail when she decided to jump out of her cage while I was misting. It took me about a half an hour to catch her, and when I did, she lost her tail. Also I will try the thing with repashy, but when she hides in her hollow, her tail is facing the entrance, and I don’t think she can turn around, but I’ll try. One more thing, is there a reason why she used to be super tame when she was a baby but isn’t anymore? Does her dropped tail have anything to do with it?
 
Top