Not sure if this is where I should place this post... I just bought a leopard gecko and it bit me right away. Its a full grown adult and I'm not sure if I will be able to tame it. When the guy at the store took it out it was obvious it didn't like him picking it up. Anyone have any advice on how to tame it, or know if I even can at this point?
Bite-y Gecko
- Thread starter spookyone
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mcwendle
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- Springfield Missouri
If its young still. They are usually jumpy anyway. The last baby I bought would lundge at my hand all the time. I just started placing my hand in its cage where it could see it. After a few days of this it walked up to my hand and just smelled and licked at my fingers for a bit. Just go slow. Let it get used to your hand in its environment.
Sent from my phone glued to my hand
Sent from my phone glued to my hand
When it bit you, were you putting it in its new home or trying to hold it? Depending how it was treated before it might be use to rough handling, or no handling at all.
Let it get accustomed to its new home, handling at a bare minimum or not at all. Usual maintenance and feeding for a while, and slowly let it get used to having your hand around. If it's out and about you could set your hand in there and see if it's curious, or just to let it know that it's not something that is going to harass it ever time it sees your hand.
It will probably come around if you take it slow, though it might be a gecko that doesn't like to be handled much or likes to be handled on its own terms. Don't give up just yet!
Let it get accustomed to its new home, handling at a bare minimum or not at all. Usual maintenance and feeding for a while, and slowly let it get used to having your hand around. If it's out and about you could set your hand in there and see if it's curious, or just to let it know that it's not something that is going to harass it ever time it sees your hand.
It will probably come around if you take it slow, though it might be a gecko that doesn't like to be handled much or likes to be handled on its own terms. Don't give up just yet!
Yeah the guy who sold me it seemed a bit rough holding it. It tried to bite him squirmed and made some noises. He said it was a baby, but I later found out its not (this is my first lizard of any kind). Also, I was putting it in its cage the first time when it bit.
indyana
Well-Known Member
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- Massachusetts, United States
There's always a chance. Megan's advice is spot on. Take things slow and let the gecko get used to you and its new home. Not all Leos love being held, but at the very least, you should be able to get him to tolerate handling without immediately chomping on your fingers. Do a forum or Google search for taming a Leopard Gecko to get tips and be patient. 
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