Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have had 2 cresties (in the same tank) since February. They have been growing nicely and are adjusting very well to their new home.

I've been keeping herps for over 2 years and have hatched out many leopard geckos, so I had thought that I was pretty good at handling herps, even jumpy little ones.

I have had a very hard time handling my cresties thus far.

They seem very frightened of me when I open their enclosure, and it takes a while to get close enough to them to try to either pick them up or let them crawl onto my hand. They are just so timid and constantly trying to get away from me. Their enclosure has plenty of artificial folliage and hides, so, without tearing it apart, they can hide from me with much more ease then I can catch them.

With a leo, you can just reach it and pick them up, but the cresties seem just too flightly. I can't even get ahold of them, and, when I do, they just jump like crazy trying to get away. Those bungee death leaps are terrifying!

I have not been able to handle either one for more than 30 seconds.

Any tips?

Thanks
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2.5 Leopard Geckos
0.1 Ball Python
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.0 Blair's Phase Gray Banded Kingsnake
0.0.2 Crested Geckos

How large are they. Only my babies are jumpy. My newest male took alittle to calm down. All my other one's don't seem to mind it. Maybe they just need some more time. After all they see a giant hand comeing at them and they think it wants to eat them.
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Anna

1.0.0 Ball Python {Shane}
1.0.0 Afican Bullfrog {Bungy}
2.2.5 Crested Geckos {Mel, Harley, Sally, Momma, unnamed}
0.0.1 Giant Black African Millipede {Milly}
1.1.0 Parakeets {Kiefer& Daisy}
1.0.0 Short Tail Possum {Eddie}
1.1.0 Dogs Lab/Pionter mix,German Shepherd {Vegas,Nevada}
1.0.0 Fluffy Orange Kitty {Kenny}
1.0.0 Betta {George}
1.0.0 Boyfriend {Brian}
2 fish tanks with lots of fish

Thats it for now.....

They are around 4 months old. Is the behaviour I am describing what you'd expect for that age?

Thanks
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2.5 Leopard Geckos
0.1 Ball Python
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.0 Blair's Phase Gray Banded Kingsnake
0.0.2 Crested Geckos

First of all, they must be young because I find Crested Geckos easier to handle than my Leopards (of the same age). Of course, baby Cresteds are faster and more agile than Leopard Geckos, but most geckos make Cresties look like slugs.

As for removing them from their cage, I think it should go without saying that animals are what they are, and if you give them quick cover to hide in, they will surely use it. Afterall, when they're scared, that's what animals do.

If you find that their cage is too heavily planted for you to be able to access them, you have two options. Either reduce the amount of foliage you put in the cage, or live with the fact that it's going to be more difficult to access your animals. Personally, I think heavily planted vivaria are pretty, but a total pain to keep clean and they make it entirely too difficult to access the animals. Those are some pros and cons that you need to consider for yourself.

Baby Cresteds should be handled only when absolutely necessary until they're about 3-4 months of age. At that point, they would be considered a juvenile and they're really not that difficult to handle...that is, if you do it correctly. For one, you need to be calm and deliberate in your movements...not hesitant, but not so fast that you startle them. Once you have them in (or on) your hand, simply place the other hand in front of it, so that they will have a convenient place to jump to...rather than onto the floor. Once you let them jump a few times, they will usually calm down.
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Anthony Caponetto
www.ACreptiles.com

Thanks for the tips on handling.

I think I'll wait another month or so before trying to handle them.

Please see my post above regarding enclosures.

Joel
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2.5 Leopard Geckos
0.1 Ball Python
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.0 Blair's Phase Gray Banded Kingsnake
0.0.2 Crested Geckos

ive had a crested gecko for almost exactly a year now, and he has always been jumpy to handle. he is full grown (HUGE) now and every time i handle him, he constantly jumps from one hand to the next and runs up my arm to my back. ive tried to get him to calm down but he never seemed to change. my other crested is about 4 or 5 months old, and has been a lil better to handle but still workin on getting him not to put up a chase every time i try to pick him up.

.....sometimes my (adult male), even til this day still takes those death defying leaps of fate. He'll be on my wife's shoulder while she's preparing his food & out of nowhere, he'll leap from her shoulder to the floor......it's amazing he doesn't get hurt......after all he's flying a good 5' to the floor.
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2.0.0 Cresteds
1.1.0 Afican Fat Tail
0.0.1 Viper Tail