Hi I got my first leo a week ago, its just about 3 inches (5 with tail.) Today I had to clean the tank and rearrange some things in it so I had to take him out. When I went to try and pick him up he tried to bite me and then screeched for a few seconds and started making clicking sounds, surprisingly loud too. Got him out in one of his hides and removed him. When I put him back in I put my hand in the tank and let him come to me, he sniffed and crawled partially onto it, so it seemed fine but once I moved a tiny bit he tried to bite and started screeching again. I'd never even heard that they could or would make such loud noises so I'm still quite surprised, but what can I do to try and make him a bit more handleable?
thanks
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aggressive
aikjp
Jan 13, 2006 02:43 PM
Replies (2)
WindyO
Jan 13, 2006 03:24 PM
From your description he sounds young. Probably under 10 grams. The best thing to do is leave them alone until they get bigger. As they begin to feel more at home they will be more relaxed. Forsing it when they are young could stress him out. Which could lead to him not eating. I feed them at the same time every other day. So when i come it is like a dinner bell. As they get bigger they get comfortable with my hands cleaning the cage. 20 grams is when i would start to implement a handling plan. Starting with letting them walk over your hand. Then after a few days picking them up but not out of the cage incase he makes a break for it. Over a few weeks they will became tolerant enough of you to take them out of the cage for small intervals.(Say 5 minutes or so.) It also depends on the animal. Some are curious and want to come out and see things. Some just want to be left alone. Yours sounds young and is using a natural defensive behavior. He should grow out of it quickly.
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Brian
www.thewindycitygecko.com
Shelley1063
Jan 13, 2006 06:28 PM
That is totally normal for a young leo, especially one that has been moved so recently. That screech will startle the crap out of you the 1st time you hear it LOL Being a baby you should be feeding it every day, just doing that will slowly get him/her use to the presence of your hand. I don't really start handling most of my hatchlings until they are close to 2 months old. Of course there are always the ones that are just more laid back & can be handled pretty quickly. Just be patient 
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www.StoplightCityLeopardGeckos.com
