My gecko bites me

[JoshMason17]

Hello,
I've had my Crested Gecko for about a week and a half now, and in order to get him tame I've been trying to handle him at least once a day. However, the past 3 days or so, occasionally when I go to get him he squeaks, or sometimes squeaks and bites me. The bites don't hurt at all (just a little pinch) and he's only bitten me twice, but has squekaed at least 4 times now. The first week of having him he didn't do this ever. Also, once he's in my hand he doesn't squeak or bite so I don't think it's mating behavior, besides, he's 3 months old? How can I get him to stop or avoid causing him to do this?
Thanks,
Josh

 

[Sakurahana]

The squeak is likely to be a distress noise and the biting is a clear indication that he isn't happy being handled. Given how recently he came to live with you, I would recommend stopping handling for a couple of weeks to let him settle in to his new territory. After that you could start reintroducing it very gradually and at his pace, starting by just leaving your hand in his viv for a few minutes at a time so that he gets used to it. Then progress to leaving it near him. After a little while of this he is likely to get curious and come to investigate your hand - eventually this may include climbing on to it.

 

[JoshMason17]

This is what I'm trying to do now. Odd thing is, he used to like handling and would jump on my hand for the first week. Now he doesn't. Hopefully, he'll get used his new home fairly quickly.

 

[acpart]

Some crested geckos are cage defensive: they try to bite when you go into their cage to get them, but they do OK once they come out. If that's the case, you just have to be careful when you take it out. I have found from unfortunate experience that crested geckos can drop their tails much more readily than leopard geckos. If trying to take him out of his cage is too stressful it is possible that he will drop his tail (guess how I know this!).

Aliza

 

[Kevin S]

Mine was somewhat aggressive as well at first. I gave him a few weeks to get settled in before I tried to handle him. After a while he became curious about me and that's when I slowly began to interact with him. I started out just holding my hand in front of him and retreating if he squeaked at me. eventually he climbed on my hand on his own and rapidly warmed up to me after that. I didn't try to grab him until he was comfortable with me. now he looks forward to interaction. Like others have said, let him adjust and then just take it slow and he will come to trust you.

 

[JoshMason17]

Yeah, I'll take it slow now. I've also moved him to a smaller container rather than his giant-leaf covered 18x18x24 because he only weighs 3.3 grams. Sorry to change topics, but how can I get him to eat his CGD? He at some the first week but hasn't appeared to have eaten any more, but he walks all over and around the dish.

 

[Kevin S]

My advice is this. return him to his larger home. moving him around will just stress him more and cause him to have to adapt again when you move him back. so leave him in the larger enclosure and provide him food and water daily for now and don't try to handle him. it will take a week or so but he will adjust and start eating on a regular schedule. You might also try putting his dish up high so he feels safer when eating. Also most cresties won't eat every day. most people feed them every two to three days. Mine only eats his CGD every 3 days, if I feed him more often he ignores it. hope this helps

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Within his 18 x 18 x 24 inch tall enclosure leave food in several places -- ground level, up high, and in between. That will help him find food somewhere.

 

[DaisyMae]

My Jojo did this a few times with me, squeak or bite when I reach into her cage. Then I started hand feeding her small dubia, and she was as sweet as pie after filling her belly. I guess the pangea wasn't enough for her growth spurt. Try hand feeding your baby and see if 'bribing with bugs' will sweeten him up. It worked for me.