Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'd strongly prefer if only breeders or parents of many answer this question because it pertains to having many critters. So please (if its at all possible and I'm kinda doubting that it is) refrain from responding to this post if you do not meet said criteria.

I have quite a gecko collection. This is also why I'm looking for stackable cages. Aquarium warehouse was not quite the decorating theme that I was originally going for...

Halo is 6 months old and she's mellow as anything (read: lazy). Lately she's started peeing on me when I pick her up (I know you're laughing!..LOL) If she's on my arm, she's fine. When I pick her up, she pees on me like she's at the vet. I know this is a defense mechanism so she's obviously freaked out.

Do geckos revert to being wild if not handled enough? I'm thinking yes and I'm curious how breeders and those with many leos face keeping their crews "handleable" Should I not worry until she's older and calmer or should I handle her every day? Every other day? I've got a few other young ones that are mildly psycho.

My adults are calm as anything and I can let them loose on my bed while I'm reading or on the couch when we're watching TV.

I also have a Banded Gecko (Yoshi) in a 10 gallon...which is huge for a C.A. Banded...and he'll usually chill on my finger when I pick him up. However I don't handle him very often because he's fun to watch... I'm probably turning him into a wild man.

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Too many Leos
1.0 feline "Spot"
0.1 canine "Tika"

I've found that the less you actually handle older leos, the more calm they are when you actually do. The younger ones tend to be flightly regardless. That being said, I have one male I rarely handled and he could care less about being picked up. I also have another male who has been handled from the day he was born and hates it... to the extent he's bitten me several times. I'm of the mind it very much depends on the personality of the gecko involved. Some enjoy it.. some don't. Those that don't shouldn't be forced to. If they exhibit agressions signs or fear signs, just leave them alone unless absolutely necessary to handle them. I don't like the school of thought that says handle them until they stop the behaviors because it just makes them give up. When they "give up" its also a defense mechanism. Play dead until the predator leaves.

After all of that, I find the worst behavior comes with trying to restrain them. Thats the really hateful thing for them. Unfortunately it can be necessary to do so at times though it shouldn't be done outside of necessity.
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Lucien

1.1 Columbian Redtail Boa (BCI)(Sutekh and Isis)
3.5.3 Leopard geckos (2.0 Blizzards (Caine and Goliath), 0.1 Tangerine Albino (Tequila Sunrise ...Tiki for short), 1.0 Rainwater Albino (Mycah), 0.4 Poss. Het. Albino (Annika, Lace, Rain and Aris) and 2.1 dbl. het blizzard x tang albino (Malice, Malfeas, and Mystic))
0.1 Savannah Monitor (Kiros)
13 rats
2 Dogs (Loki and Storm)
3 cats (Ashe, Sahara and Hercules)
6 Fish (4 Red Danios, 1 Cardinal Fish, and 1 Tiger Barb)
8 Ramshorn snails
"And a Partridge in a Pear Tree!"

no post
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Too many Leos
1.0 feline "Spot"
0.1 canine "Tika"