Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My girl is about 3 months old, so I was wondering what are some good ways to try and get her used to being handled. I've tried to get her to crawl onto my palm but she's only done it once or twice. She doesn't totally freak out or anything when my hand is near her, she's just not too open too handling yet.

Is it still pretty early to start getting her used to it? I know she might not ever like it, but I'd still like to try

It is kind of early, but you might as well start now. You can either let her walk up to your hand (which will take longer) or just scoop her up and hold her in the cage for a little while. When I say hold, I don't actually mean hold onto, just let her sit on your hand and let her climb off if she wants to. It's best to do this at night or when it is beginning to turn dark. Don't hold her every time you open the tank, just fidget with something else once in a while so she will understand you are not always after her. You could also hand feed her if you don't mind the occasional accidental nip. After awhile you can just scoop her out and play with her whenever you want (well, within reason). And you can train them to come out when you want! Like my leo Ying will come out almost every night when I go in to go to sleep, and if she doesn't then I just wiggle my fingers at the opening of her cave and she'll come out
Hope this helps!
Adam

-----

My pic gallery

Let the gecko get use to your hand first and it will probably get curious and then it will climb up onto it and then onto your arm.

I actually handle my hatchlings when I have to change the paper towels in their boxes. Normally I wont and I'll just let them be. If they are in my hand I'll let them explore and get use to me.

Try just picking up your gecko once and see what happens. It'll take a while for the gecko to get use to you and feel comfortable with you handling it. I'm sure it'll come around.

Shayna
Leo Lovers Lizard Lounge