Reptile & Amphibian Forums

When I went to the pet store to get my gecko and bush anole they told me that I can pick them up and their use to it at this pet store. PJ'S PET Centre. They seemed totally fine and did not squirm around like they were used to it. The gecko I have had 6 months and she is great runs on the bed climbs around healthy. The anole only a few weeks and she will climb up my arm onto my head and sit there for a while looking around. He drinks from a cup that I personally give to him and I mist it all the time and I hand fed him too. Could he be the exception to wanting to be held? There is info out there about reptiles but there is still lots that people are unaware of since their brought in from the wild. They say age span is 5-6 years but who knows, maybe longer if their looked after really well. Who is to say! Any feedback I'd appreciate it!! Thanks

I don't handle her unless I have to - she HATES it! And any time I DO have to handle her (cage cleaning), she hides for days and will only eat if I'm not looking. You're lucky to have such a mellow one. I don't think I'd handle mine too much even if I could, since I have cats. If she got away, I'd be afraid she'd get eaten.

And they can live longer than 5 years. The one I had years ago was over 6 - he was full grown when I rescued him, so I don't know how old he was in total.
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Torey
D'oh! 0.1 Uromastyx Geyri (Arthur)
0.1 Anolis Carolinensis (Leeloo)
1.0 Betta Splendens (Mr. Miagi)
1.1 Felis Domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)

Torey, What does he do so that you know he hates being picked up? When I have mine he does not want to go back in his home and when my hand is inside with him holding on, and he keeps climbing up my arm to stay out! Maybe there is an exception to certain lizards. Everyone has their own personality and some may like to be handled and others not even though some say never to handle depending on the kind but there is still so much for us to learn about these creatures. It's all too interesting I find!

My hand can't even come in the cage with food - she still runs and hides. When I do finally get a hand on her, she thrashes around. I'm afraid I'll accidentally catch her tail some time and she'll lose it or that I'll squish her. I've tried luring her into a container instead of catching her, but that was a big no-go, too. :-/
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Torey
D'oh! 0.1 Uromastyx Geyri (Arthur)
0.1 Anolis Carolinensis (Leeloo)
1.0 Betta Splendens (Mr. Miagi)
1.1 Felis Domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)

I never pick up my anoles unless i have to move them to onother tank or something. I am interested in natural beheivour and try to stimulate this as mutch as possible so i don't want any animals climbing on my head or drinking from a cup. They are all wild and will probably die from stress if i pick them up often.
My personal opinion is that reptiles are not domesicated animals and should not be handled as domesticated animals.
Ofcourse not everyboddy shares this opinion with me and i respect that, but i think larger species like anolis equestris are more suitable for picking up.

with kind regards,

T.Dros

If an anole lets you pick it up it's likely to have parasites or something else wrong. That said, they can get used to your presense and sticking your hands in the tank fine, but they shouldn't like being grabbed, nor is it good for them. If it has an infestation, it's too weak to move or enjoys your warmth and, again, is too weak to find warmth elsewhere.

What kind of geckos are you talking about? Leopard geckos, especially adults, should be absolutely fine with handling as long as it's not for too long. House geckos should be even less timid than anoles and be quick to drop their tails when healthy, at least with most species. Day geckos should never be handled, as well as some other geckos... but banded geckos, African Fat-tailed geckos and other "eyelid" geckos (like leos) are perfectly okay with it
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Got hips like Cinderella / Must be having a good shame / Talking sweet about nothing / Cookie I think you're Tame

What you must know is that anoles are not cuddly creatures. They're just for watching. You shouldn't handle them unless you'll have to move them to a different cage, or else if they escaped. If an anole enjoys being handled, something's definitely wrong with it. They should be squirming to escape, or even attempt to bite. Handling causes extreme stress. Stress means sicknesses. Sickness means death. You can hand feed them as long as you don't touch them. Therefore, handle your anoles only when it's really necessary. Green anoles can live up to 8 years, but most live up to 5-6.

Tim

Thanks everyone for your input. I just spoke to the guy who sells these reptiles and he know his stuff pretty good and he says everyone has their opinion and that's fine, but the anole I have is a Bush anole and it is a little different and he is quite tame and has never bitten anyone and he isn't even sick because I took him to the vet and he told me is fine. So, I don't know, maybe mine is weird abit i feed him by hand and drinks water from a lid while I hold it. He is a great little thing. My leopard gecko runs on the bed but not for too long sits quietly on the hand never ever bites and love to be petted on the head and under his mouth. I baby them even though their reptiles and this is how mine are even though people won't agree. Reptiles are reptiles but each one is unique in their own individual way, right? I appreciate all the feedback guys!

Did you have a fecal done on your anole? Is it wild caught?

Some species are tamer than others, and handle being handled better, but I'm holding onto the opinion that if it lets you pick it up, something is wrong with it. Many will tame to petting... it's the holding it that usually stresses most out. Some will never be fine ever even being touched.
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Got hips like Cinderella / Must be having a good shame / Talking sweet about nothing / Cookie I think you're Tame