Handling your Leo

[NikkiC223]

How often or how much do to handle your Leo? I know they need a warmer environment so I'm scared if I take him out too long, he gets cold. How long can he be out of his cage without having any negative effects on them?

 

[Ghostoftangerine17]

From most caresheets they say 15 minutes a day after it has gotten acclimated to its owner.

Didn't think it sounded like very much handling time, but now that I actually have a leopard gecko I find that life often fills up my schedule and I end up spending the most time feeding them before I go to sleep.

I think in that short span their body temps will be fine

 

[Lindz0518]

You need to let them settle for at least a week, with no handling and then you can start by a few minutes each day. I handle mine about 20 min every other day.

 

[proBie3]

Just like the others said, definitely let them settle in, I'd give it a week or even two or more if needed. I personally handle my gecko every days, it can range from 5 minutes to 20 minutes. No more than 20 for sure, and if I am handling her that long it is only once every so often and only if she is comfortable.

If they start getting skittish or seem to run, it's a good time to put them away.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

I actually almost never handle my leo. A few minutes once in a while to check her over, but that's it. I know that no matter how much I'd do it, she wouldn't really enjoy it, so I figure there's not much point. I just enjoy watching her.

~Maggot

 

[KTyne]

I hold my Geckos about once a week or less unless they are new. If they are new I let them settle in for at LEAST a week, sometimes up to a month, then I handle them for 5 minutes every night to get them used to me. Once they are used to me I'll start handling them only once a week or so the same as the others.

 

[proBie3]

I actually almost never handle my leo. A few minutes once in a while to check her over, but that's it. I know that no matter how much I'd do it, she wouldn't really enjoy it, so I figure there's not much point. I just enjoy watching her.

~Maggot

I almost had no hope for Echo at first lol, I just thought she didn't like me, as a baby she would never let me handle her but she would let my girlfriend handle her with no problem. Now she is really tame, very alert but she doesnt mind me picking her up and often times if I put my hand in she will climb right up.

 

[LLLReptile]

When it's warm out, they can be out for a while if they're not exhibiting any signs of stress (non stop movement, defecating on you, or non feeding for several days after being out). Out of my 6 geckos at home, there are 2 large adult females I have that do not mind extended trips out, so they come with me to work for the day. They often hang out in my work shirt pockets, and I keep a heated bin for them by my desk, but they'll often be out for an hour or so at a time. My other adults tolerate occasional handling, and my male will be cooperative for about half the day, but these two females in particular seem totally content to hang out and let customers pet them.

Each gecko is different, is the short answer. Handle your geckos for short periods of time initially, and see how they do with progressively longer periods of time out. I work in a reptile store, so naturally ambient temperatures are constantly quite warm - between 78 and 82 every day. Right now, since it's winter time, unless you keep your home as warm as we keep our stores, you'll probably want to limit how long you keep your gecko out.

-Jen

 

[DrCarrotTail]

I agree with LLLReptile - there's no hard and fast rule about what's best but it depends a lot on the personality of an individual gecko. Some are laid back and curious - ideal for being handled and can tolerate (or possibly enjoy!) being taken out regularly. Some are shy and nervous and anything over minimal handling is stressful and should be done sparingly. As you get to know your gecko you should be able to better tell how well it tolerates handling. To answer your original question about getting cold, geckos can handle decent lengths at lower than ideal temperatures, plus your body heat should be about 98 degrees which is warmer than their UTH which should be kept about 90. I wouldn't recommend having them out for super long times (IMO super long = over 20 minutes). If you want to hold a gecko for more than 20 minutes every other day or so - you may have to start expanding your collection! Haha

 

[firecracker]

If you want to hold a gecko for more than 20 minutes every other day or so - you may have to start expanding your collection! Haha

Uh oh. I think I'm in trouble then! lol

I haven't actually timed it, but I think my son holds his gecko for longer than that sometimes. She doesn't seem to show any signs of stress though. If anything she seems to enjoy it. Well, at least until she appears to want to run. Then into her home she goes.

My husband tends to feed her afterward. I hope this is okay...

 

[NikkiC223]

Thanks guys...I believe the previous owner handled him a lot but he said recently he didn't really hold him. We take him out once a day for maybe 10 min, maybe less just so he can get used to us. He doesn't run off or seem skittish so I think he is ok. I try not to wake him during the day when he is sleeping in his coconut hide (his favorite!) but when he is out and about sitting on top of his tree branch, I'll take him out for a bit to get used to us. Also, if weather permits, would it be ok to take him outside and let him walk around in the grass? Its cold today in Florida so def not today but obviously its normally hot here.

 

[lisa127]

I guess I don't really give it much thought. I do cage maintenance, feeding, etc. each day but I don't handle him every day. I handle him while changing substrate or cleaning something in his cage. If I walk in the reptile room and he is out and about and looking cute I take him out for a few minutes. But I really have not thought all that long and hard about how often/much. Also, sometimes when he's crawling on me he will lay his belly on my arm. If you take the surface temp of your arm with a temp gun your outside skin temp is in the 90's. Perfect for a leo. So you're body is actually warmth to them. As long as your not in a room with extremely cold ambient temps I don't think there is a problem.

 

[katie_]

I never hold mine.

 

[Snowbug]

I think it's very much a personal thing, but I agree with what some other have said about it depends on the leo. I have one in my collection that I never hold as it stresses him excessively. I use a box to move him during maintenance to minimise stress for him. However some geckos become very relaxed very quickly and even seem to like the stimulation. Others merely tolerate handling and clearly don't gain from the experience. So I go by the leos character, I do however prefer my leos to be at least accustomed to handling as it makes it much easier and less stressful for them if they ever need help with their shedding or a trip to the vet.

 

[Ghostoftangerine17]

So what behaviors do you guys classify as showing a Leo is overly stressed?

I know one of mine is not to keen on it, but she doesn't do any dives and settles a bit after a minute or two.

Was surprised how well Dango did when I had to help her get shed off. She took my gentle pokes and prods like a champ

 

[NikkiC223]

I think it's very much a personal thing, but I agree with what some other have said about it depends on the leo. I have one in my collection that I never hold as it stresses him excessively. I use a box to move him during maintenance to minimise stress for him. However some geckos become very relaxed very quickly and even seem to like the stimulation. Others merely tolerate handling and clearly don't gain from the experience. So I go by the leos character, I do however prefer my leos to be at least accustomed to handling as it makes it much easier and less stressful for them if they ever need help with their shedding or a trip to the vet.

Yeah I agree with, definitely different from leo to leo. I'm just still very new to the reptile world and didn't want to handle him too much or not enough and it have a negative affect on him. He is still getting used to his new enclosure setup (I've added to what he already had) so he might just be nervous...but he is eating and pooping great so I know he isn't too stressed if he will eat whatever I put in front of him.

 

[Snowbug]

Yeah I agree with, definitely different from leo to leo. I'm just still very new to the reptile world and didn't want to handle him too much or not enough and it have a negative affect on him. He is still getting used to his new enclosure setup (I've added to what he already had) so he might just be nervous...but he is eating and pooping great so I know he isn't too stressed if he will eat whatever I put in front of him.

Sounds like you are doing the right thing. I always think when you first purchase them the most important thing is to give them plenty of time to become used to a new environment and to get them eating before introducing further stresses such as handling. Once they seem settled you notice their confidence start to build, that's when I start working with a new leo. I introduce a hand to the enclosure but don't touch the leo, and see how he/she reacts. If the leo doesn't freak out with hand introduction I often lay my hand flat and will let the leo decide if he wants to go near it or walk on it and go from there with sessions lasting from just a couple of minutes working up as you see fit (when trying to accustom a nervous leo I always leave at least a day with no interaction between sessions). Hope this helps.

 

[Snowbug]

So what behaviors do you guys classify as showing a Leo is overly stressed?

I know one of mine is not to keen on it, but she doesn't do any dives and settles a bit after a minute or two.

Was surprised how well Dango did when I had to help her get shed off. She took my gentle pokes and prods like a champ

My "Fat Gecko" has a shady past and I think he was handled roughly when he was young. He shows a lot of stress signs. If I put my hand in his enclosure to change his water bowl he threat poses at me with his tail. He is happy to receive food, but if he thinks anything other then food is coming from our interaction he actively runs away from potential contact. On the few occasions I have had to handle him for medical aid he has been noisy, struggles a lot, and he always bites (draws blood too bless him). He acts a lot like I would expect a wild animal too if it was picked up.

I wish he could be calmed so he didn't have to suffer so much stress in captivity but he is getting on in years. I only ever interact with him when need is must.

 

[NikkiC223]

Sounds like you are doing the right thing. I always think when you first purchase them the most important thing is to give them plenty of time to become used to a new environment and to get them eating before introducing further stresses such as handling. Once they seem settled you notice their confidence start to build, that's when I start working with a new leo. I introduce a hand to the enclosure but don't touch the leo, and see how he/she reacts. If the leo doesn't freak out with hand introduction I often lay my hand flat and will let the leo decide if he wants to go near it or walk on it and go from there with sessions lasting from just a couple of minutes working up as you see fit (when trying to accustom a nervous leo I always leave at least a day with no interaction between sessions). Hope this helps.

Thanks, I'm trying! Like I said I'm new to the reptile world and want to make sure I'm doing things right for him. I guess because I have always had dogs, I like to cuddle with them so its weird not being able to cuddle with Teak. Thanks for the advice and maybe I'll give him a few more days to get used to everything. Once he is out, he is fine and just chills on my arm on the couch.

 

[ericssonfan81]

As you get accustomed to your geckos behaviours i think you'll know when they want to come out.. But as others have already said, patience is key and you're off of a great start.

When my gecko stares up at me, comes out of his cave and is explorative mode peeking his head around every where (usually when I'm feeding the other gecko) I know for sure when I put my hand down he will climb on.. But when he's just laying outside chilling, in sleep pose or with only his head sticking out of the hide, I will lay my hand down only to face rejection every time, either with a blank stare at my hand, or a walk back into his hide in a "thanks for disturbing me" manner. lol!