Exercise Ball?

[LD404]

So my little leo has expressed a preference for being out of his geckohaus as much as possible, specifically to climb on, lick, and run around absolutely everywhere he can. I'd like him to do whatever makes his little gecko heart happy, but I want him to be safe about it - and not lick everything, the weirdo.

So, I was wondering what people's thoughts were on getting a little plastic exercise ball for him to run around in. You can see someone with the same idea here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAkyAsZprg0

But I am not an idiot. i don't want to get a plastic ball that is too small - I worry it could hurt his spine to be bent in that way. I also don't want to get a plastic ball that has those awful vents in the side - I worry his toes could get stuck, and he could be injured. So i found this:
http://www.amazon.com/Orbiciser-Blue-Clear-Leak-proof-Hamster/dp/B006C66Q7M

Apparently the inside ball is kinda squishy, and makes me think my leo would be less likely to catch his toes? Or perhaps I could modify a ball, put a mesh of some kind over the vents so he wouldn't be hurt? Or is this just an awful idea altogether?

Thanks for any input!

 

[Russellm0704]

So my little leo has expressed a preference for being out of his geckohaus as much as possible, specifically to climb on, lick, and run around absolutely everywhere he can. I'd like him to do whatever makes his little gecko heart happy, but I want him to be safe about it - and not lick everything, the weirdo.

So, I was wondering what people's thoughts were on getting a little plastic exercise ball for him to run around in. You can see someone with the same idea here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAkyAsZprg0

But I am not an idiot. i don't want to get a plastic ball that is too small - I worry it could hurt his spine to be bent in that way. I also don't want to get a plastic ball that has those awful vents in the side - I worry his toes could get stuck, and he could be injured. So i found this:
http://www.amazon.com/Orbiciser-Blue-Clear-Leak-proof-Hamster/dp/B006C66Q7M

Apparently the inside ball is kinda squishy, and makes me think my leo would be less likely to catch his toes? Or perhaps I could modify a ball, put a mesh of some kind over the vents so he wouldn't be hurt? Or is this just an awful idea altogether?

Thanks for any input!

that looks pretty cool except it seems way too stressful for the leo, i dont think geckos like to play or even know how to play. Then again I could be wrong.

 

[LD404]

I could see how it would be stressful for your average leo...but you haven't met my monster. He's one of those that likes to be handled, likes to be as high up as possible, and absolutely loves exploring outside of his tank. He scrabbles at the glass as soon as he sees me to be let out, and actually complains out loud (which is the cutest noise, except I hate it because it indicates his distress) when I put him back inside his tank.

I wouldn't think of it for most leos, but my little weirdo would love it. And if it turns into his favourite activity, that's be great, because right now his favourite activity is climbing on top of my head.

 

[animeavatar]

How do you know if your gecko would enjoy that? I don't see a problem with just letting your gecko roam without the ball under your supervision.

 

[Dimidiata]

Agreed, put a few towels in the bath tub for them to climb on, then give them free range of the tub, trust me, never be happier.

 

[bettafish]

I just don't think they have the body types for balls. I'd ditch the idea. Just let him roam around with supervision

 

[Russellm0704]

Geckos don't actually enjoy being held, they enjoy the opportunity to get out of their enclosures

 

[JeepFreak81]

I dont know if i agree with that, our gecko seems to love being held. I think it is because she likes to climb on our hands and arms, etc.

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[LeopardShade]

Geckos don't actually enjoy being held

I dont know if i agree with that, our gecko seems to love being held.

I agree with Russell. Leopard geckos do not have the mental complexity to feel emotions that we as humans are capable of feeling such as love and enjoyment. Their behavior is largely driven by instinct, not emotion. They may tolerate handling, some much more than others, and can become very tame, but I don't believe they'll ever get past simple toleration.

 

[JeepFreak81]

Im not saying they like to be held because they love you, but they may enjoy climbing and such. Im sure being out of thier enclosure has something to do with it. I once had a biology teacher that said your dog does not love you, it only knows who feeds it. I never believed that either

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[Jusselin]

I am agreeing with Jason on this one, my gecko LOVES to be held. I will set her down to roam around and she will climb up my leg and all the way up to my chest then cuddle up under my chin.

 

[Dimidiata]

Geckos may like your hand but dont mistake it as love for you, they have no reason to love us. As far as we are concerned we are a food source and a source of exscape from their tanks. They like your hand, not you. They like being taken into a new enviroment, be it bed, floor or body. That is what they love. If it means they have to be held to achive it then why not. Theres a simple give take bond between the gecko on person, but i wouldnt call it love, wich has varying standards i suppose from one person to the other.

 

[Russellm0704]

I am agreeing with Jason on this one, my gecko LOVES to be held. I will set her down to roam around and she will climb up my leg and all the way up to my chest then cuddle up under my chin.

Geckos do not love to be held. They love to get out of the cage and explore and they like the fact that our body is warmer than the floor. That's why they will cuddle up into you. Because of your body temperature.

 

[Russellm0704]

Im not saying they like to be held because they love you, but they may enjoy climbing and such. Im sure being out of thier enclosure has something to do with it. I once had a biology teacher that said your dog does not love you, it only knows who feeds it. I never believed that either

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That's comparing completely unrelated things. Dogs have been proven to bond emotionally with their owner. There is scientifical evidence behind it. Geckos just tolerate being handled and use us to get out of the cage and when they realize where the warmest area is they cuddle into us. It's because we warm blooded. They don't like us picking them up

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Back to the original question- I would worry that the gecko could get in a somewhat awkward position and damage its' tail.

 

[MRP2k12]

Geckos may like your hand but dont mistake it as love for you, they have no reason to love us. As far as we are concerned we are a food source and a source of exscape from their tanks. They like your hand, not you. They like being taken into a new enviroment, be it bed, floor or body. That is what they love. If it means they have to be held to achive it then why not. Theres a simple give take bond between the gecko on person, but i wouldnt call it love, wich has varying standards i suppose from one person to the other.

I agree, i only handle my leopard geckos when i have to.

Im not saying i dont care for my geckos or have a connection with them i do, but they are reptiles i give them the best care i can and thats as far as it goes...they feel nothing towards humans, Its different when it comes to cats and dogs.

 

[LD404]

I apologise for anthropomorphising my gecko - it's easy to speak in terms of what he 'likes' or 'loves', when he is a little gecko, and biologically incapable of feeling or expressing emotions as we mammals are used to. It's a misleading, if convenient parlance.

I was worried of the curving of his spine - a larger ball than in the video would induce less curvature, but I also wonder if it would honestly be as much of an issue as I worry about. He certainly has curved his own spine into all sorts of interesting positions on his own!

Thank you for the suggestion of the bathtub - Sun Ae quite 'enjoyed' it, so to speak! I was hoping however, with the ball idea, for something that required slightly less supervision. I have precious little time of my own, and while I don't mind sitting and watching him like a hawk, it seems to unnerve him from exploring and prevent me from getting stuff done. A ball would still certainly be supervised, but slightly less than having him roam entirely free, and would free me from sitting on the bathroom floor.

 

[animeavatar]

I still don't recommend balls. I was told that hamsters shouldn't stay in them for more than 10 minutes and they aren't designed for leopard geckos.

 

[katie_]

Hamster balls are used to excerise the hamster. The gecko cant really 'explore' its environment in a ball. I doubt they can look passed the plastic and be entertained with what they see.

 

[Dimidiata]

Hamster balls are used to excerise the hamster. The gecko cant really 'explore' its environment in a ball. I doubt they can look passed the plastic and be entertained with what they see.

I think thats a valid point, leos like to touch, climb, lick and such, not just roll around.