Hand Taming

[Hale]

So I got two geckos yesterday from a breeder, and the albino is pretty tame after getting it out of the tank, he'll stay on the hand for the most part, but the normal gecko was hell to even put in the aquarium, and had to chase him around to put him in since he loves to run away.

I have fed them treats of wax worms yesterday, and they ate like little kiddies with chocolates (or me with white chocolate), and one of them has done his business in the tank, so I don't think they are all that stressed, especially with how I set up the aqaurium - it being only half visible so the cats can't bother them.

But I just think this normal has not been held much, and I've tried to catch him to try and get him used to hands, but he just keeps running, and I'm worried he's gonna think he's superman and fly out of my handsif I can manage to get him out - and then be chasing him around my room, with the cats following close behind.

If you have any hand taming tricks, I'd much appreciate the advice.

And no worries about the cats. I take geckos outside of my room when holding; and they is not allowed to follow.

 

[Mel&Keith]

Some geckos are naturally more jumpy than others. Just let is get used to you having your hands in the tank at first and work up to letting it walk in your hands, moving hand over hand until it get used to the idea. They usually settle down more as they get bigger too.

BUT.....

Since you just got them , it would be a really good idea to let them settle in for at least a week before you really start handling them. That way they can get themselves completely established in their new home. I know it's hard not to mess with new pets but it's really the best way.

 

[mmsi1002]

Agreed.

 

[GeeEssFore]

I also noticed they need to get us to your smell. A few places ive read online said to touch everything in the tank and introduce your hand flat everyday. Dont go at him just lay it down. I did this for mine since day one and once he licks my hand he calms right down and walks all over me.

 

[LizMarie]

Some geckos will tolerate being held others won't bother. I had my gecko for 5years and she hated to even be touched! I tried taming her since she was around 3months old and nothing. I tired the flat hand approach, putting food on my palm, she got as far as licking a finger and walked away. All the touching I did was putting a small carrier case in the tank and just moving her into it and she would be hissing.

So don't push it, if they don't want to be held they don't want to be held and you should respect that, plus wait around a week or two to fuse with them.

 

[moosassah]

Lots of patience. I'm re-taming our normal. He's been with us a year & because he was more difficult to handle, we backed down. I'm doing just what was recommended. Flat hand, let him lick it, maybe crawl on it, hold him within his cage (hold = me lifting my hand while he's on it). Let him decide if he wants to come out.

You could also try feeding him right after handling him. I used to do that as a reward for giving me a few minutes with him.

 

[Bodon]

I think age plays a part in it as well, the younger ones seem to be more jumpy and want to be held less. How old are yours?

 

[Ccrashca069]

Also it just takes time with your geckos getting to know you and see how you do things. I do things everyday around the leopard gecko tanks including feeding and misting. As I start working around the tanks I just start talking to them. When I am doing something with my hands in the tanks, I let the newer geckos I have walk to my hand and smell and lick it before I pick them up. Out of all my leopard geckos I have, there is only 1 that does not really like to be held. All my new geckos let me hold them.

 

[Hale]

Thanks guys, you is all awesome ^^

I think age plays a part in it as well, the younger ones seem to be more jumpy and want to be held less. How old are yours?

Three months. The Albino is fairly tame, and seems to not care if I'm holding her at all when I'm trying to get her away from the food when she's hogging it all, lol. She'll also sit in my hand for a long time, and once gave me a straight on look before then deciding that she was going to climb up to my neck no matter how much I fought her, lol. The normal is the more skittish one. They are both in the same tank, and seem to not mind each other.