Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well, i got the repticarpet in successfully, but i think my gecko is extremely stressed now. She started climbing the glass when she got back in her tank, I think she was just trying to get as far away from me as possible. She didnt eat tonight. She has eaten about 5 mealworms every night since i've had her. I'm thinking that maybe she was handled way too much or abused at the pet shop. Any tips on how to tame her, allowing her to walk up to my hand hasnt worked yet, i've been trying it for a month, even if i have a mealie. And is there any way i can make her more comfertable? Her temps are right, shes got a humid and cool hide. There are timers on the lights so they go on and off at the same times every day. I dont think her timidness is due to her tank set up.
Maybe i'm just getting a little too paranoid. Thanks for the help.

I can't answer your question as to whether or not she's stressed out, but I do have a few suggestions on getting your leo more used to you. I've only had my leo Jak for about 3 months now and only within the past couple of weeks has he begun to willingly climb onto my hand. First thing to try, make sure your leo is aware of your hand when putting the mealworms in the tank. At about the same time everyday, put mealworms in the tank, but make sure your leo sees you doing it. Don't flush it out of a hide or something, because that will definitely stress it out more. I get Jak's attention by holding a mealie in my fingers in front of the opening of the hide until he sees me. Then when I have his attention, I put the mealie into his bowl and continue adding them. He'll come out and start eating the ones in the bowl and I'll keep putting new ones in for him while he's standing there. Eventually he stopped running away from my hand, I can now reach right in front of him and not scare him. This process was also used to train him as to where the mealies would be, because now I just put some in at night and he goes and finds them when he's hungry. The next trick that was mentioned on the forum earlier, try putting your hand palm down in the tank. For some reason leos seem to be less intimidated by the back of your hand. Next, be patient. I'd leave my hand in the tank for about 5 minutes at a time in front of one of Jak's hides. Eventually he'd start coming out and licking my hand and possibly putting one foot on my hand. After a while he'd climb fully onto my hand. First few times he got nervous pretty quickly, so until you think your leo is comfortable enough on you, I'd keep my hands over the tank. I still wont venture very far from the tank, but Jak seems to be calming down and will just sit and relax for a couple minutes at a time on my hand. Lastly, do this at night after your light goes out. About and hour or so after my light goes out is when Jak seems to be his most active. He also seems to be more comfortable in the dark. I hope some of that atleast helps a little. Just be patient, and your leo will eventually come around. I thought Jak never would =) Sorry this got so long and I hope it was somewhat coherient (sp?) since I just woke up =)