Another handling question

[t04jas]

I've had my leo for a couple of months now, and I'd like to start getting him used to me. The only problem is, he never leaves his warm hide. Would it be counterproductive for me to remove his warm hide for a few minutes each day and place my hand in the tank to try and get him used to it? I don't want to cause him any undue stress, so is this okay or should I just leave him alone and wait until he starts to come out on his own (if he ever does). Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[VTHokie]

I may be cruel, but I'd say move it. It shouldn't upset him too much.

 

[Foreverandever]

No harm in trying it. As long as you arent pestering him to death he should be ok

 

[t04jas]

Okay, thanks!

 

[Redleg]

I am assuming that your temperature is in the correct range, if not, that could be why he is not as active as the cage might be a little on the cold side. When its warm, geckos normally are more active....of course at night :main_rolleyes:

 

[Chibii]

I have my hide for my leo at the other end of the cage. So she comes out of her hide to get to the warm side.

Im trying to let her get use to me i hope she will come toward me some day. Good luck whit haneling.

 

[t04jas]

I am assuming that your temperature is in the correct range, if not, that could be why he is not as active as the cage might be a little on the cold side. When its warm, geckos normally are more active....of course at night :main_rolleyes:

I've got a digital thermometer on the repti carpet in his warm hide which shows 93-95 all of the time although I have to use paper towels under the carpet and a rheostat to get it to that temp. I'm using a Zoo Med 10-20 gallon UTH.

 

[LepGekPunk]

Josh i had the same problem when i 1st got mine, make sure the tank is warm enough as your gecko may not leave the hide since its too cold

 

[e_cupcake26]

Josh i had the same problem when i 1st got mine, make sure the tank is warm enough as your gecko may not leave the hide since its too cold

This is very true/when my temps are low my leos are lethargic/when the temps are too high they are lethargic as well.
But I think it's best to start slowly, I always use my voice to let them know I'm there and then I put my hand in and gage their reaction to my hand. :main_thumbsup:

 

[t04jas]

Thanks for the responses, I think I'm going to try putting my hand in the tank each day for a little while. Last night I put a mealworm in my hand and he came out, put two feet on my hand and looked at the worm. He then looked up my hand up to my arm, and I think when he realized how big the thing attached to the hand was he got scared and went back into his hide.

 

[e_cupcake26]

Thanks for the responses, I think I'm going to try putting my hand in the tank each day for a little while. Last night I put a mealworm in my hand and he came out, put two feet on my hand and looked at the worm. He then looked up my hand up to my arm, and I think when he realized how big the thing attached to the hand was he got scared and went back into his hide.

Yes, you have to be very patient especially if your gecko came from a large breeder that didn't have time to spend socializing them. I got my first gecko from a smaller breeder that did nothing but socialize them from hatchling to juvie. So it was an easy transition. But my second gecko came from a large breeder that does the basic feed, water, and clean. With my second gecko it's almost like getting to know a bird. No sudden movements, use my voice, let him get familiar with my presence and smell etc. If he runs away just keep your hand there very still so the he'll know your not a threat. The next day give him a break and so on. If you try to rush the process you'll do more harm than good. Good luck! :main_thumbsup:

 

[GeckoNub]

My male was pretty jumpy at first but i started with putting my hand in the tank, stroking his head, then picking him up by scooping him up from underneath (i read grabbing them from above scares them as they see you as a predator).

He loves comming out now and will try to climb out himself when the glass doors are open He was even good enough to let my 4 year old niece stroke him without freaking out

My female was pretty tame when i got her and she will walk onto my hand if she wants to come out

With either of them i will take their hides out if i want to take em out. They dont seem to mind it so much but if i could see they were really upset id just put it back and leave em alone.

Both of them have gone through a phase of raising their tail sometimes or even waving it like a cat (looks funny) but theyre more calm now.

Just have patience but dont give up on them At first it seems like they just dont wanna be with you and all you wanna do is love them, but it will work out ok in time

 

[lepgeckosrock]

With my Angel I had that problem at first and I just started talking to him and once or twice in the eve and early night I would take the top off his hide to get him comming out I would leave it off for a hr or so and went to his tank talking to him and letting him see me several times a night then started putting my hand on the floor for him and even started lightly rubbing the top of his head and his back he sniffed and snapped at me a few times but finally realized I wasn't going to harm him and now unless he is prepairing to shed he spends the least amount of time in the hide of my 4 When he sees me he comes to the glass and wants rubbed and climbs onto my hand to be picked up.

 

[JCornelisse5]

i just pick mine up... i have never had a problem and they never act stressed out.. i have multiple leos.. i figure the only way for them to get used to me is to just do it. if they appear stressed i try again later