Fear of Geckos

[trevor3999]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and the whole gecko scene in general (The Leopard geckos are completely fine by the way, its me that need help). So I bought 2 female leopard geckos who are just out of their juvenile stage and can be considered adults. They look happy and healthy, but I have a problem. I have only had them for a month and need to start cleaning out the tank and the repti-carpet. The problem is that I am too scared to even touch them, let alone lift them into a seperate container while I clean their tank. I have put my hand in the tank so they think im friendly, and as soon as they come up to lick, I take it out. No, im not a little boy, I just have a fear of reptiles and small scaly like animals from some nasty childhood memories (I actually got them to get over this fear... great idea :main_rolleyes: ). Don't say to give them up or anything, because I can get over the fear, and they are being well looked after.

So any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Srt14292]

Oh believe me dude no one on here would ever suggest giving your leos up because your a bit afraid of them, infact the opposite most will encourage you to get even more haha.
Either way, you are doing the right thing, place your hand into the vivs and let the leos come up to you, and investigate, small handling sessions maybe 30-60 seconds depending on how uncomfortable you are, believe me they can not hurt you in the slightest and I've only known a leo to attack if they smell another males scent on your hand.

As for cleaning if you don't want to lift them up as of yet, wait till they climb into their humid hides, and gently lift them out and into a seperate container to do your cleaning.

I wouldn't suggest handfeeding your geckos untill you start to get alot more comfortable with them, just keep coming in contact and when you feel comfortable enough, take your gecko out, sit on the bed/sofa etc and let the gecko walk from palm to palm, just take your time with the exposure, you will soon see they have AMAZING personalities and are a real joy to watch and learn from.

P.s Get some pictures up of your leos if you can dude & good luck!

 

[robin]

also first off, do not try and grab them, let them walk on you like they were walking on the ground or a rock or something. it may be easier for you for them to walk on you, than you just grab them and pick them up.

 

[acpart]

If you're worried about picking them up, get a tupperware container and gently shepherd them into it. Have another place to put them (a plastic tub will do) and quickly lift the tupperware with the gecko in it and tip it into the plastic tub. THen do the reverse on the way back. To get used to them, see if you can last 5 seconds with them investigating you. Gradually increase the time. When you're ready, stroke them gently on the head or the body with a finger and take it from there.

Aliza

 

[Samantha]

u can do it!!! keep trying

 

[robin]

i used to be scared of superworms. HORRIBLY! and would pick them out with tweezers because they can hang on to you D:

well finally after months of picking them out with tweezers i just stuck my hand in there and started pulling them out, been doing it ever since.

 

[Sirron]

i used to be scared of superworms. HORRIBLY! and would pick them out with tweezers because they can hang on to you D:

well finally after months of picking them out with tweezers i just stuck my hand in there and started pulling them out, been doing it ever since.

UGH superworms....I still pick them up with tweezers, meal worms too for that mater. and wax worms.... I'm not good with worms. lol thank goodness for tweezers

 

[Tommy13b]

Theres nothing to fear, they rarly EVER bite, Ive been keeping them for 2 years and have only really ever been bitten twice(both times my fault).Theres nothing really to be afraid of, just put your hand in front of them and scoop them up, and if you get scared, put them back in.

 

[trevor3999]

Thanks so much for the advice, I realize theres absolutely no harm they can do to me. Its just a stupid fear like some have about Chickens (Alektorophobia), and in my case Herpetophobia <- Actual word :main_laugh:

Srt14292 said I should put pictures up, so I did. haha

heres my attempt:
http://www.geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=54234

 

[gitrdone0420]

Good luck with your fear! Just keep trying. Welcome to GF! =]

 

[temec]

i used to be scared of superworms. HORRIBLY! and would pick them out with tweezers because they can hang on to you D:

well finally after months of picking them out with tweezers i just stuck my hand in there and started pulling them out, been doing it ever since.

I still wont pick up a superworm with my bare hand.. lol.. i will with roaches but not superworms... lol

 

[robin]

meh i won't pick up the roaches. i mean i have but bleh

 

[Holly12]

Oh my I how you are feeling I was once in your shoes back 5 years ago I whent to the Clombus Ohio reptile show for the very frist time and I wanted to hold a a leo and I was always afraid it would bite me and so I did and that is how I fell inlove with the leos so this is what I say to you like others have said on here put your hand in thier let them lick your hand and then let them walk on your hand give it time you will over come your fear and like me inlove with your leos.

 

[trevor3999]

I alternate crickets and mealworms, and in they put a super in with the mealies accidently. That thing freaked me right out! I was digging my finger in the container grabbing at mealies, and I came across the most massive superworm, it was black and bigger than supers I have seen before. It freaked chuck out as well, but not for long... heh heh heh.
(Don't worry, shes a big girl, I knew she could handle it)

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[artgecko]

Just keep doing what you are doing. Eventually you will get used to them licking your hand. Then work on touching them and picking them up.

Thanks for sharing Trevor, I admire you being open about your phobia.

 

[RoninSTi]

i used to be scared of superworms. HORRIBLY! and would pick them out with tweezers because they can hang on to you D:

well finally after months of picking them out with tweezers i just stuck my hand in there and started pulling them out, been doing it ever since.

:main_laugh::main_laugh::main_laugh: I had the same urge, to use the tweezers with the supers...but I forced myself to dig around and grab them. (it's only been 2 days) but I still don't like it yet.

 

[aslchick1]

UGH superworms....I still pick them up with tweezers, meal worms too for that mater. and wax worms.... I'm not good with worms. lol thank goodness for tweezers

Haha I'm always afraid I'm going to squish the wax worms. I used to be afraid of the worms and pick them up with tweezers... now I still pick them up with tweezers because it's easier than trying to grab the little suckers

 

[aslchick1]

As far as picking up the Leo... I got mine in February (almost a year ago). When I got her she was also a juvenile and I was so nervous and scared about picking her up. The more you do it the better it will be for you. I caution you that yours may nip you a couple times when getting used to being held and learning to trust you (as mine did it 3 times ever, and has not nipped me in a good 8 months). It doesn't really hurt (as they don't have teeth), so no worries.

You will grow and become more comfortable of your Leo and it's moods the same as your Leo will become more comfortable with you. Remember that your Leo is as scared of you as you are of it and trust is very important for them. When it licks you, this is like a dog licking you... the Leo gets your scent this way and remembers you. Get someone comfortable handling the Leo to help you if possible... that helped A LOT for me as my boyfriend has owned probably over 100 reptiles.

Quick funny story for ya... I just returned from a 5 day trip. While gone I had to leave my Leo with my dad, and he's pretty inexperienced and the Leo doesn't really know or trust him. When I got back, I picked up my Leo and she scurried onto my shoulder and just laid there for a good 20 minutes.

Your gecko will learn to love and trust you with time. Just don't give up. Don't be afraid to touch it and gently pet it to get it used to your touch. Also if you want to coerce it onto your hand instead of picking it up, try placing mealworms up your hand (like a breadcrumb trail for it to follow lol). I did that a couple times.

 

[robin]

trevor? any updates?