Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I have 2 new baby LG's (2 mo old). I have had them for about 10 days or so. THey are adjusting to their new home. However I have a couple of questions.

1) I tried to pet one of them, so that I can begin to handle them and they can get used to me. However he hissed and attempted to bite me. Is this normal? If so is there any good way to start to handle them so that they will get used to it and not unduly stress them?

2) I have noticed that they are not going to the bathroom in the same location. It seems to me that one or both of them are going in different areas. There is some consistency with one area, but more often than not they do not use the same corner. Is that normal?

THanks

SH

Hello!

Congrats on your leos! To help you answer some of your questions:

1) You really shouldn't "pet" your geckos. in fact when they are small, you shouldnt just reach in and grab them in any way. Its normal for the little guys to hiss and bite ya at first. You are a huge monster to them, hehe. Give them a little longer to adjust and grow, and then just put your hand in there and let them lick you, smell you, and crawl on themselves. Or carefully pick them up from underneath (but not from behind.) They will be jumpy at first so dont get too high off the ground. They get used to being picked up real quick and will eventually settle down. Dont ever touch their back while you are holding them though- when they are little this tends to make them reflex and fly forward off your hand.

2) Sometimes each gecko will poop in his or her own corner, not necessarily the same one. Heck, sometimes they poop just on one whole side of the cage. As they get older, it seems like they get more consistent with that and usually get pretty good about just going in one corner. Give em time

Good luck!
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~Melissa~
1.3 Leopard geckos
1.0 Bearded dragon
1.0 Hog Island Boa
0.0.1 crested gecko
1.0 Ferret
0.1 Chinchilla
1.0 Chinese Praying Mantis

Melissas Menagerie

Thanks Melissa! I appreciate the advise! I will follow it. I will give them some time to acclimate, and will try the techniques you suggested.

Thanks again

SH

>>Hi, I have 2 new baby LG's (2 mo old). I have had them for about 10 days or so. THey are adjusting to their new home. However I have a couple of questions.
>>
>>1) I tried to pet one of them, so that I can begin to handle them and they can get used to me. However he hissed and attempted to bite me. Is this normal? If so is there any good way to start to handle them so that they will get used to it and not unduly stress them?
because they're babies, they tend to be more skiddish. it was normal for one of them to hiss and attempt to bite you, so don't worry that something went wrong. a good way to start to handle them is to let them get accustomed to your hand being in their tank so they know that you're not a threat and aren't trying 2 eat them. after a while, hold out your hand and let them explore it - don't move too much and they'll start crawling on your hand... if not, you can just pick them up from under their armpits (make sure they're used 2 ur hand). handle them for about 15 minutes at a time for a few weeks - and you should be fine after that. also, don't try to handle them by the tail or else it'll fall off.
>>
>>2) I have noticed that they are not going to the bathroom in the same location. It seems to me that one or both of them are going in different areas. There is some consistency with one area, but more often than not they do not use the same corner. Is that normal?
one leo always goes in the same spot, one goes in a different spot - but consistently, correct? i think it's normal for them to choose the spot they want... after they choose it, they'll just keep goin at it

take care N happy thanksgiving!

[aimEe]
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0.1.0 Albino Leopard Gecko (Marlene)
0.0.2 Fire Bellied Toads (Norman & Forman)
0.2.0 African Dwarf Frogs (Hobo & Bobo)
1.0.0 Fighting Fish (Blue Balls)
0.0.2 Hermit Crabs (Kirby & Furby)
1.0.0 Black Lab / Pit Bull (Mikey)
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