Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am getting tired of this Ball Python thing and thinking about getting into Leopard Geckos. My questions are, do they ever bite and do they really like to be held like some people say? Thanks Sean

i have many leos and yes, sometimes, although very rarely, they will bite. some "like" being held. some don't. most will tolerate it to some degree(but i still have some who absolutely refuse to be held and the only way i remove them is by scooping them into a container haha). african fat tails on the other hand, mine have never bitten me, and never seem to mind being held at any point. but either way you go, they're both fun, entertaining little animals..... just my 2 cents....

There bites are really nothing and I've only had it happen a couple of times usually when I was trying to pick him up to show him to someone. As for my Fat Tail hes much calmer and seems to not mind being picked up as long as he is awake when you pick him up or else he's a nasty little critter.

Not a dumb question at all. One of the scariest, yet funniest moments I can remember while keeping leopard geckos was when my oldest son helped me feed/water one day. One gal, unknowingly by my son, was a bit hungry and clamped down on his finger as he reached in for the water container. A shriek, a jump, and one 'flying' gecko later, my son promised never to set foot in the lizard room again! By the way, my son's finger, while showing a defined bite mark, and the poor startled gecko, are both fine today.

Most of my leopard geckos, when I feed/clean their containers, either A) pay no attention to me or B) come out anticipating a little munchy. HOWEVER, some being inquisitive, get confused and take a little swing at my finger once in a while. Almost all of the time, no harm is done but once in a great while, the gecko holds on for a while and I have to thump their little nosed. Not really, I just push them back a bit with the other hand. It can, however be a bit surprising. I have one big male that you will not see me putting a hand in his container. He's inquisitive, territorial, and ALWAYS hungry. Better safe than sorry with this one. This animal was one of the more handle-able geckos I had when he was young but since he started breeding, in his mind, he is the alpha-male no mater what comes into his area!

You'll find most leopards really prefer not to be held. Some tolerate it more than others but I've never had one that 'liked' to be held. Agreed that fat tails are more accepting of human contact than leopard but I've also had a 'bull' FT that I wouldn't trust having a finger nearby if he were within striking distance

Your best bet is to handle the young geckos (not so young as when they are less than a few months old, they can be fragile and very defensive) to help them acclimate. However, always be on the watch with them.

Wally

mines a baby and he got scard and opend his mouth a little but a rub on the head and he relaxed and almost fell asleep
hes onley one month or less

great pet loves & to be held
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the lizards are calling, do you here them?

Thanks guys for all the help!! I am sure I will be posting often. Sean