Newbie Help :D Handling/general advice on my set up

[bluesymbol]

Hi Guys


A friend has recently given me a 2 year old Leopard Gecko, we have named him Malakai and he's ace! We've had him about 2/3 weeks now.

He was tamed by my friend and I have held him when i collected him, which is why I took him rather than a younger gecko. When i held him originally he was much more content to just sit on my hand and watch what's going on.

I bought the best Viv I could afford - 36x18x18 and filled it with the bits and pieces our local Reptile specialist suggested. The one thing I intend to change is we were given Beech chips (larger than he could eat) but still I intend to change this for reptile carpet when i get paid

Photo of his Viv
http://www.flickr.com/photos/57192022@N05/5437237654/

Its heated with the heat mat on the rear - which will eventually go underneath the Reptile carpet and the Red bulb which is on a thermostat to maintain correct temp as our house isnt overly warm.

The thermostat is located on the left hand side and triggers the light when the cold side hits 27 Degree's Celsius (80F) so the right hand side is just above 30 degrees C.

as you can see, he has a moist hide in the middle n the hot hide. (he did have a cold one... but he's too big for it!) one will be bought again on payday!


So onto Mal himself!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/57192022@N05/5436627971/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/57192022@N05/5436627943/in/photostream/

He seems happy enough, he didn't eat for a few days, but is eating now on Grade3 Brown Crickets however his temperament to being handled seems to have changed. I've tried getting him used to my hand being around, but he will either charge the glass, my hand or for the viv exit. OR he will sit in a corner.

he's had a work out of my hand and has walked over my hand on a couple of occasions but just still doesn't really want to know at all. I've read/seen so many things about how to pick them up too. Can anyone give me some advice on that too? I've even seen videos of Ron Tremper picking up a gecko in the 'wrong' way by using thumb and forefinger in its middle. I've been told a million and one ways to get him out!

Can anyone give me any ideas if I'm missing something really obvious in his enviroment/diet or am I being a tool


Cheers

Bluesymbol

 

[Jordan]

everything seems good.
i was a little confused about how you worded your temps but the cold side should be around 75 - 85f and the hot side 90 - 95f, i dunno if that what your were trying to say but just making sure.

Also, he may not want to be handled for a while as he will need to settle in, dont forget he has just moved homes so its an all new surrounding and everything. Also a big viv so a lot too explore before he will feel comfortable, give him a week or so to seetle and he should be more fine with being handled.

Good on you for changing the beech chips.

Also, a good way to pick up leo's is to slide your fingers under their belly and a thumb to support their back, pick them up like this and then place them into the palm of your other hand.

good luck.

 

[bluesymbol]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply! yeah I was talking Celsius rather than Fahrenheit, but the conversions are about the same... cold side runs at about 82F hot side in excess of 87-90F.


Thanks for the suggestions! just trying to make sure i get everything 100% right!