Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know many of you have small children, I work part time at a YMCA daycare and i'm sure they would LOVE to see leos. I also have a crested but he hates all forms of human beings

Anyhue any tips for telling the children how to handle them? I feel very torn at bring them, because they are my babies I would be devastated if they dropped their tails or got injured but at the same time i think it would be a great experience for the kids.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts and concerns

first, a leo wont drop its tail just from being stressed...

second, i've done a few educational stuff with my herps at a few schools, many classes where 2nd-4th graders and they absolutely loved seeing the geckos, snakes..beardies and tarantulas that i brought in, when i let one of them hold one i asked to wash their hands first, (dont want to introduce or spread anything)

when they cam back i told them to open their hands and flaten them so the geckos can walk on them, i told them not to touch its tail, or grab it by its tail because it will pop of and wriggle around, they where pretty grossed out by that so none of then touched any of their tails, lol

just tell them to be very gentle with them, dont make any fast or surprising movments because geckos have no sense of height and will jump right off you're hand,

keep it simple, remember, these are kids ;0)

Dan

I have a 7 and 4 year old and they love the leos. The first time I let them come in contact with the leos I held the leo and told them to use two fingers to touch them and also tell them to be gentle or they will hurt them. I'm not sure what age children you are working with, but my 4 year old is really good about being gentle and always using 2 fingers. I still don't let my 4 year old hold any of the leos, but my 7 year old is allowed to hold his hand open and let the leo crawl on him, but he isn't allowed to pick them up in any way. I would also make them wash their hands before and after handling them.

I would do the same as rhachodactylus, Exept you might want to make sure that they are holding them close to the ground or a flat surface, Dont want to take the risk of having a leo take a joy sky dive off of the kid's hand.
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Thanks so much you guys.
I work for the YMCA daycare which is K-5 i believe.
If i get permission to bring that i'll be sure to follow your advice i just think all kids should get a chance to see new animals.

Thanks again