Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have my leo for 3 week now and i still cant handle him...when i put my hand in his enclosure he freaks and goes right into hiding. He only come out for eating...He,s out for about 1 hour every evening. Should i leave him be and continue showing my hand a little very day ? Or go for it and handle him a bit ?
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Mizar 21
1.0 Collared lizard (Ganymede)
1.0 Leopard Gecko (Gethsemani)
1.0 Nerodia Fasciata (Serpentard)
1.2 Cats

When you put your hand in the enclosure are you putting it in palm down.
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But thats just my 3 cents Email

Would you like a giant hand to came and pick you up? Just go in, move some hides, find the little booger, and take him out. It sounds harsh, but its what you need to do sometimes. Even my adults dont go running up and jump on my hand. Just take him/her out, and sit on a bed (dont drop him or stand tall, when you take him out, make sure he is secruely in), let him crawl on your hands, make a little step ladder and just let him go where he wants to on your hands. This is the only way really he will get used to you. Also, if you want to, you can hand feed him so he associates hand with food, but leos, espeically adults will become 'addicted' to hand feeding and will rarely hunt on their own.

Michael

I know it's hard to be patient when you get a new gecko, but trust me... he will tame down. Just move very slowly, and put your hand in his enclosure and let it rest on the bottom for several minutes a few times a day. You may want to remove his hide. The key is to get him used to your hand before you try to touch him. After a few days of this, then you can try to slowly move your hand towards him, and then let it rest until the gecko settles down, and eventually he may come up to your hand to check it out. If you come down over his head with your hand, he will think you are a preditor trying to swoop down and eat him, and freak out. Just keep your hand at his level for awhile.
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Marcia McGuiness
Golden Gate Geckos
www.goldengategeckos.com