Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hi i am having trouble handling my gecko he doesnt go on to my hand, What is the best was to pick up a gecko and what is a good way to get him used to my hand? THX
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delbalso

When I got my second gecko as a baby, he was very skittish. I wouldnt handle him at all, just let him get used to my hand in his cage when i was cleaning, feeding, changing water ect. I think he figured it out that I wasnt gunna eat em and he started to calm down. Then I started to let him walk on my hand and investigate. Now I hold him a couple times a week and while hes still a little nervous, he doesnt freak out anymore. Also, when you first start holding him, dont do it for very long, say maybe 5 minutes and then put em back. Once he settles down even more you can do it for a bit longer. Hope this helps
Mac
PS Also try giving him food by hand waxworms or something he likes, I've heard this helps aswell

some of the books i've read have said that you shouldn't handle a leo at all, except when necessary. i kind of disagree with this, because then, when you have to move them, they flip out. i know that you're never supposed to grab a leo behind the head, as they (apparently) especially hate that. and, of course, don't grab their tail. i found (while cleaning my bebe's tanks), that letting them crawl on your hand, if possible, is the best way. if you have a really skittish gecko (i have two), i've actually found, in my experience, that giving them a roomate (of course, with lots of room), kind of helps them get used to the presence of others. also, i think having clear tank sides, as opposed to rubbermaid tubs, helps them get used to visual stimuli.
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marla
keeper of: axolotls, catfish, ferrets, leopard geckoes, oriental fire-bellied toads, and sugar gliders