Gecko Behaviour + Handling

[SLB1989]

I have a new gecko, I've her had for just over a week now and I am trying to get her used to me a little more and try and handle her abit. She will let me stroke her in the cage for a few seconds and then she walks off. I then leave her alone because I don't want to scare or frighten her anymore, because I know they can drop their tails when frightened. Instead I then put my hand flat in the cage and left it there so she can get used to me, she then walked up to my hand and licked it a few times and then walked off, why would she lick me, what does it mean?
Also are there any other things I can do to get her more used to me and help her become more easily handled? So far I have only picked he up once put her on my hand and she stayed there for a second and then jumped off, so far I havn't attempted it again.
I still think she is quite timid, I know they are nocturnal and don't come out much, but she doesn't really come out in the evenings, I think she must wait until I go to bed as I never see her, I don't see her eat either but I think again she does this during the night. Although once I have stroked her she will stay out for a little bit before going back into her hide.

Thanks to anyone who replies.

 

[GatorGirl286]

the licking you are talking about is the same thing as a snake flicking its tongue to "smell" its environment. leos have a vomeronasal organ which goes a little bit beyond smell but the tongue brings in scent particles to the organ and leo analyzes them. its just a way of sensing you, smelling you, whatever you wanna call it.

as for handling, i had this same question when i got my first gecko (mine used to hiss at me, really freaked me out haha). basically i did what you are doing with putting my hand in there and leaving it and letting the gecko smell it and get used to it being there. also try touching her hides, substrate, bowls and such to put your scent on them so she can smell you even when you arent there. then pick the gecko up in the cage but still leave your hand in there (in case she jumped). eventually she will get used to you and being in your hand and will realize that she is not in any danger. once she seems comfortable, you can play with her on your bed or somewhere where if she jumped she wouldnt get hurt. don't be afraid to push her a little bit with the handling. i still have to chase my little harley all around his enclosure before i can get him into my hand (and he hasnt dropped his tail) but once he's there he doesnt seem to mind being handled and held. he likes to chill on my shoulder now.

good luck!

 

[SLB1989]

Thanks GatorGirl286
Your advice is very helpful.
Sounds like I'm doing the right thing so far with the handling.

 

[daveim]

yah... I've only had mine for a few weeks, and he is already seeming to be much more willing to let me hold him. I do have to chase him around a bit, but once he's on my hand he is much calmer. He used to jump off me alot, scared the heck out of me, but he doesn't do that anymore. be careful, though, if he goes down your shirt, his claws hurt, and if you bat at the back of your shirt as many people are prone to do, he may end up having a dropped tail. Good luck!

 

[hondawingsfly]

just give it time she will come out more and more as she gets ore comfortable maybe try holding her once a week for a month then the next month twice a week and by then she should be used to being held

 

[Grinning Geckos]

In addition to what has been said already, I found it helpful to feed the gecko a few worms while you're handling them...or use to worm as bait to get them to walk willingly into your hand. Repeat it a few times and you'll have a gecko that WANTS to be in your hand, thinking they'll get a treat.

 

[SLB1989]

Thanks for all the replies and advice
Will be trying them all.

 

[nats]

In addition to what has been said already, I found it helpful to feed the gecko a few worms while you're handling them...or use to worm as bait to get them to walk willingly into your hand. Repeat it a few times and you'll have a gecko that WANTS to be in your hand, thinking they'll get a treat.

That's what I do. Put a yummy waxie in the palm of my hand, then they have to climb on it to get the worm. Just dont get freaked and jerk your hand if they miss and bite you. It doesnt hurt :main_no:

My tamest one still jumps a little when I touch her, but she is getting much better. She used to take off in a flash and hide

I dont like the idea of chasing them around to get on my hand.
I let them come to me when they are ready.
Maybe some gentel forcing is the better approach.

Either way, before to long they will want to climb on you every time you stick your hand in there. After a while, it gets annoying, esp. when your in a hurry to clean up, change water, etc. and they just get in your way and climb all over you!! :main_laugh:

 

[beanx]

just for your information, leopard geckos will not drop their tails no matter how much you torment them. The only way 1 will drop its tail is if you grab it by the tail and it wants/trys to get away from you, then they will drop their tail. You can bug them all you want just as long as you do not pick them up by their tails you will be fine.

 

[ajkry2]

i have a beardie. there's a trick i learned when raising it and that is wear a shirt all day, leave it in the viv overnight (or in a leos case all day) so it gets used to the "smell". then they're more prone to be used to you. same case in leo-land?

 

[5HiddenLizards]

My adult male knows that when I stick my hand in there, flat, that he's going to get out of his tank. He'll climb onto my hand & either sit there or start climbing up my arm while I remove my hand.

 

[Geckoguy77]

I have two that hide all day. They are still pretty young, I think about 2 months or so. They won't eat from my hand, and only come out if its pretty dark and they don't sense any movement in the room. To hold them, I have to take apart the hide. Otherwise they make a run for the other hide. (Speaking of, one of them has decided to sit at the entrance of the hide as I type, first time I've seen one of them all day and its now a little after 8pm) It takes some effort to catch one, but once I have it, it seems to be pretty content to climb my arm and cruise around. I've had one jump (caught it in mid flight with my open hand) It might be they just aren't used to being handled yet. The breeder I got them from doesn't handle any of his.

We'll see how they progress. I've had them for a week now.

Will

 

[Grogshla]

I would love to be able to handle some geckos but in Australia most of the ones we are allowed to own can't really be handled as they don't like it.