Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a 1 month old crestie. I've heard some say you shouldn't handle them when they are this young and I haven't. But some say you should. I'm wondering what others do? I've tried to gently get her to jump on my finger/hand (in the cage so she can't get loose or fall, etc), but she seems so afraid. She just takes off. Once she accidentally jumped on my hand, I stayed still but it's like once she realized what she'd done she freaked out and took off. I don't want to stress her out so I stop after awhile of trying. Am I being overcautious and worrying too much? I sometimes think I'm doing something wrong because I see other peoples pics of them holding their little ones.
-----
Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
1.0 Saharan Sand Boa "Frodo"
0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa "Arwen"
0.1 California Kingsnake "Gentoo"
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Indigo"
1.0 Snow Corn snake "Chile"

0.0.1 Crested Gecko
0.0.1 Irian Jaya BlueTongued Skink

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

they are very nervous at that age, the best way to get them more used to your presence, is just being around them, without actually holding them, for example, while doing tank maintenance, just having your hand in there actually gets them used to you being around, i would wait until they are larger before you start actually handling though, I have two right now that are about 12 weeks old, and I handle them and they dont mind it a bit, however, when I first got them they were 7 weeks old and they were very sketchy, now that they have got used to me being in there tank cleaning and giving them food, etc. they have calmed down a lot, and generally will walk right onto my hand if I am near them.

Thank you, that is reasurring. I will do what you suggested. Thanks!
-----
Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
1.0 Saharan Sand Boa "Frodo"
0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa "Arwen"
0.1 California Kingsnake "Gentoo"
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Indigo"
1.0 Snow Corn snake "Chile"

0.0.1 Crested Gecko
0.0.1 Irian Jaya BlueTongued Skink

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

We have quite a few cresties and handle them right from the first day they are born. We hand feed our crested geckos nightly so they are very tame. We usually sit on the floor for the smallest ones (in case they unexpectantly jump) and so they will not get hurt if they jump off our hands. I find that they do not stress that easy. When they are hatchlings, we do not keep them out for long periods of time but we do get them use to being handled. We have not had any to drop their tails and I think that is because they are use to us being around them and their cages without alarming them.

Because she seems so scared, I don't know how to even get her on my hand let alone out of the cage. I'm also afraid if I manage to get her out of the cage that she may jump off of my hand and then I'd have a problem getting her back on. I'd appreciate any tips/advice you can offer. The breeder says she would 'bark' when she was held so I know she's been held before. Thx.
-----
Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
1.0 Saharan Sand Boa "Frodo"
0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa "Arwen"
0.1 California Kingsnake "Gentoo"
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Indigo"
1.0 Snow Corn snake "Chile"

0.0.1 Crested Gecko
0.0.1 Irian Jaya BlueTongued Skink

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"