Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well, as some of you may know, I got my first ever Leo in today by mail. It's so cute.. Must.. resist... urge.. to... handle... GAH! I know I shouldn't handle him at all for the first week, as not to stress him out, but it's so tempting, he's just laying there being all cute. I can't wait to feed him later, that'll be my biggest interaction with him so far.

This is gonna take all your will power. I just went through it.

You can put your hand in his tank and let him come and smell/lick it if you want. Just to get him used to your scent/hand. I know that isn't enough, but it's the best I can suggest.

Try putting the tip of your index finger on the outside of the glass at eye level and move it back and forth a little bit. For some reason my young leo will come and hunt it down to see what I'm doing, but will hide if I put my hand in her tank and move toward her. Leo psychology is still a mystery to me...
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Blaine

0.0.1 HY/Patternless/Normal Leo (Echo)

n/p

lol congrats!! i'm glad he got there safe & sound and is getting adjusted to his new home

i remember when i 1st got my leo... i didnt handle him the 1st night i got him because i thought he may have been stressed out with my driving ability (i drove half an hour 2 get him, and drove home during traffic). it was fun watching him eat the crix that the guy left in the cage the next night, i started letting him get used to my hand and after a couple hours i picked him up (he was 5 months old, so it's all G ) leos are cool have fun with yours!

[aimee]
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1.0 Albino Leopard Gecko (Melvin)
1.0 Black Lab / Pitbull mix (Mikey)
1.0 Blue Fighting Fish (Blue Balls)
1.0.1 Fire-Bellied Toads (Norman & Forman)
http://aimee.i8.com

NP
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1.1 Leos(Ron and Raine), 2.1 Kitty Cats(Bubba, Angelo and Cookie) and 1.1 Rouen Ducks(Buddy and M.J.).

I get this image of you fighting with your hand resisting the urge to pick him up lol.

I've had my geckos for quite a while now and i'm only starting to handle them. I've been conditioning them all this time (white containers and the shaking noise of the worms in it means dinner time). I'm going to try a bell with one to see if i can get her to ring the bell when she wants food. I saw a fish that could do it LOL. Right now she'll just sit in her dish when she's hungry.

I just had Bronx out and despite usually being one of the calmer ones he opened up his mouth nice and wide at me. He then walked all over me. I was sitting in front of Nalas tank and for a while the two of them stared at eachother. I can't handle her yet but i'm still working on it

Have fun with your new gecko.....they are a joy to have.

Red
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Crested Gecko Zeek:1.0
LEOS: Boo: 1.0 normal , Bronx & Nala: 1.1 blizzard,
Lily: 0.1 patternless, Abby: 0.1 albino, Zoe: 0.1 reduced pattern, Dot: 0.1 hypo
Chip: 1.0 papillion (small dog)

I know it's so hard but give him time to adjust to his new home since I am sure he's stressed out with shipping and all. I usually don't handle any of my new additions for about a month , by then they have enough time to settle down. I have a few that would just walk onto my hand when I put my hand inside the cage. Have fun with yours, leos are great!

That sounds like an interesting (Pavlovian style) project.I might try to work that in a month or two from now. Mine climbs onto the slate beside her bowl and stares into it wondering why I haven't put anything in there yet. But a bell sounds like a fun project. Don't know if I want her ringing it at 4am if she's finished the last of her late night snacks and wants more though...

I remember you saying one of yours would sit and watch you count out the dinner ration, mine already recognizes the little white tub my mealies came in (after only a few days) and will follow it with her head while I'm preparing her dinner. It's amazing how quick these little things learn. I had no idea they were so smart or adaptive.
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Blaine

0.0.1 HY/Patternless/Normal Leo (Echo)