Determining age and other q's

[Rainy Dayz]

Hello! First off, I was trying to determine the age of my new leo, I have had her for 3 weeks now. She is 1.22 ounces and about 7 1/2 in. from head to tail.
Secondly, she is starting to look like she is going to shed, but she has been looking like that for nearly a week now. I have made sure she has wet moss in her cage. I even sprayed a little water on her (she was not to happy). Is it possible it is to humid in her tank and that is preventing her from shedding? Humidity seems to be in the moderate range more than the desert range. This seems to be how humid the house is also. I took out the moss hoping that would help a little. How often do they normally shed?
Could the purple repti/cali sand be making her look dingy? I hand feed her so there are no worries about impaction on a side note.
She does not seem to like to be taken out of her home. She does not bite or hiss or anything but she does get rigid and refuses to relax. How long does it normally take for them to warm up. I never see her out of her hiding rock either... She only comes out late at night (I know because of her droppings). She will not come out of her hiding space for food either. She will stick her head out to grab a cricket but thats it.... Strange or does she still need time?
Lots of questions I know! Some help and insight would be helpful!
Thanks all!

 

[acpart]

She's probably a few months old, though they vary so much after the first few weeks in size and weight that it's really hard to tell.

Some of mine do take quite awhile to shed so that's not unusual.

The purple sand could be making her look dingy. Though some people do keep their geckos on sand without problems, it's not the best idea, especially for young leopard geckos who may get impacted from it. Other substrates include (but are not limited to) paper towel, repti carpet and ceramic tile

Young leopard geckos instinctively hide because they can so easily be prey. After 3 weeks I'd say you can continue to take her out for short periods. Some leopard geckos get calmer and enjoy being held; some never do.

Aliza

 

[blueappal]

I would get rid of the sand asap... like I would dump the sand in the next 30 seconds. That's just my opinion... but you can do the same research I have done and decide for yourself...

Also... there's no need to spray your gecko water. You could inadvertently cause your Leo to drop it's tail.

 

[prhutchi]

I think acpart may have overlooked your length and weight measurements. Your leo is likely a full grown adult that is more than one year old. I don't think there is anything physiologically wrong with your gecko and that it is just very timid. I, for one, am very particular about how I handle my geckos. I'm sure some would consider this overkill but my system has always worked well for me:

1) I always have started with sub-adults or younger (~6 months old or less).

2) In my first two days of owning a new gecko I will not attempt to handle it to allow it time to become familiar with its surroundings.

3) On day 3 or so I will place my hand in the tank and in sight with knuckles flat on the substrate (which is never sand by the way) right before I feed it, but I will not attempt to pick up the gecko. My reasoning is twofold: it is to allow it to become accustomed to my hand being in the tank and get the gecko to associate my hand preceding a positive stimulus (food).

4) I will continue to do so until the gecko seems mostly undisturbed by my hand. I will then hold my hand out in front of my gecko and LIGHTLY touch the back of one of its hind legs so that it moves forward into my hand.

5) When I have the time and patience I put my hand in front of them and leave it there until they walk on it, either intentionally or inadvertently.

I have owned 10 geckos and every one of them, within 2-3 weeks, will see my hand in the tank and VOLUNTARILY walk up on it. Again this might seem like overkill to some but I like not having to grab my geckos. Maybe try some gentle introduction strategies like these to help make your leo more social.

-PRH

 

[prhutchi]

I forgot to mention that I speak a lot around them so that my voice is no longer startling and that I won't handle geckos <1 month old at all.

 

[Rainy Dayz]

Thank you all!!