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I am interested in getting a leopard gecko

ALIASfan04 Mar 17, 2005 11:08 PM

Hi, I am interested in getting a leopard gecko. I was with my friend today at the pet store when she got "Phoenix" and I was instantly hooked on getting one. I think that they are really cute and probably pretty easy to take care of. My cousin recently bought a leopard from the pet store and it has been hissing at her when she picks it up. She does not know why it is doing that but I have been doing my research on them.

If you have any advice for me or for my cousin please feel free to respond. Thank you!

Replies (2)

Kendergirl Mar 17, 2005 11:47 PM

I'm guessing that the gecko is still a baby. The best thing to do is to leave it alone as much as possible for the next couple days. Once he/she has gotten used to the new surrounding, you can put you hand inside the cage near the gecko. Keep inching your hand closer to the gecko, stop if it starts to hiss and scream at you (as babies are prone to do). Once you get to the point that you can have your hand right next to the gecko without it freaking out, you can try to bribe it with a worm. Either hold the worm with a pair of tongs in a place where the gecko has to walk into your hand to get it, or place the worm in your palm. Don't worry if it goes for the worm and gets you instead...it's not attacking you, it won't hurt at that size, and the worst thing you can do is jerk your hand (which is scary for a little guy). In time, it will associate your hand with good things and will happily walk into your hand - especially if there is a worm there. Even once you reach this point, sudden movements with you hand can make your gecko freak out (it thinks it's a predator). It's best to handle babies as little as possible for the first couple months because they are so prone to freaking out. As they get a bit older, they will calm down and you can work on the "hand training". It will take time...but it's well worth it. I've been working on mine for about over month, and they're both getting to the point that they don't freak out about my hands very often.

As for getting a gecko for yourself, be sure to do all the research you can before getting a gecko. Have the tank set up and running properly before bringing it home. I absolutely love mine...as do the rest of the people here (I'm sure). They're great little reptiles, comparatively easy to take care of, and well worth the effort you put into it. You might want to get a gecko that is 3 - 4 inches in size, so you can still enjoy raising a baby, without all the hissing and screaming.

Poohbear03031 Mar 20, 2005 12:30 AM

Hi, all I can say is do your homework. Leos are relativly easy to take care of, but they do have specfic needs. I agree with what the last respondant said though, it is likley that the little one is jsut being defensive. They do that when they are babies, jsut give it time to learn that it is not going to be hurt and it should calm down.
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7 Leos
Milo(my adult male) Mongo, Raptor,and Spaz
Popeye and Boo(named after Monster's Inc. Character)
and Pumpkin the Patternless (my baby male)

1 2 month old. Female Bearded Dragon. Tequila Sunrise, Tequila for short

1 dog
Baby (Peekapoo)

2 Cats
Mr. Kitty and Shelly (my adopted senior citizen. She's 14!)

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