Handling?
- Thread starter artnic93
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here is a great article at gecko time on hand taming you gecko http://www.geckotime.com/hand-tame-makes-for-great-fun/
Marleykeeper
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im doing the same thing with my boy marley i find that if i move slowly and scoop him from below and not cup him especially around his hind quarters he is very lax and inquisitive but if he is cupped or grabed he gets nervous. Hope this helps
R
rambogecko
Guest
ok well my gecko has been hiding in his hiding spot for a week i have had him for 1 week so i cant handle him or tame him what should i do 
OhioGecko
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ok well my gecko has been hiding in his hiding spot for a week i have had him for 1 week so i cant handle him or tame him what should i do
Read this article:
Make sure you sterilize your hands before handling... everytime. You want the same smell on your hands each time you handle the gecko so it gets familiar with the scent. If your hands smell like Snickers one day and a hamburger the next, your gecko will take more time to adjust. It is also beneficial to scoop the gecko from the front so they see your hand coming at them, if you grab them from the back it usually startles them and the try to get away. It will take time to tame them so be patient and consistent. Good luck!
pawsible
Pawsible
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Hi-I wrote this article when I was getting a lot of questions about holding a gecko:
Handling Your Leopard Gecko
Handling a new leopard gecko can be a problematic undertaking, especially for people who don't have a lot of previous experience in dealing with reptiles, or if you're someone whose experience is universally with larger ones. However, it's not really all that complicated.
When handling any animal, you're going to want to take things slow, and that applies as much to geckos as to any other. When you first get the gecko, hold it only for short periods of time, or not at all, depending on how calm or nervous it is. An animal that's extremely nervous should probably be left alone for the first little while in order to let it get used to things.
Your lizard should be able to adjust to its new environment before it has to deal with additional stress. Remember, it's hard for such a small animal to realize that you're not a predator, given the size difference between you. Take things slow to help yourself gain your gecko's trust.
When you think the gecko is used to its surroundings, you can proceed to touching it. Don't just grab at your gecko, however. After all, leopard geckos are prey animals for many other species, and a shadow from above tells them they're in danger!
Instead, slowly place your hand inside the cage, like a piece of the scenery and allow your pet to get used to it and to climb on it. The gecko should be willing to walk across your hand inside the cage. Once it gets a little more used to you, it'll be easier to gently close your hand and hold it.
Remember never to move too fast or handle your animal roughly. It could be stressed and injured. Avoid touching the head or tail, as these can cause your leopard gecko to startle and bolt. Touching only the body will enable you to keep your pet from feeling threatened.
Threatened leopard geckos will drop their tails, causing injury and the site of a potential infection. Avoid this by never holding your gecko by the tail, and only handling it in the gentlest way you can.
Herd your lizard into your hand rather than grabbing it, and when you do pick the lizard up, cradle the body, putting the least pressure on that you can.
Leopard geckos are hardy, durable animals, but they're still very small and could be damaged by too much pressure, especially when they're babies. The more used to you your gecko is, the easier it will be to handle it without fear of escape.
New or young geckos will be quite nervous and skittish in the beginning, but will calm down as they become accustomed to your presence. Handle your animal on a regular basis to keep it from losing its accustomization to your presence. Daily handling is not too much, if you want to make sure that your lizard stays friendly and sociable with humans.
Reptiles can "forget" their tameness and require socialization all over again if they're allowed too much time without contact with humans. Gentleness is always paramount - don't forget just because your gecko is getting older. It's still much smaller than you are and quite easy to damage.
-----------------------------------------------------
We are Leopard Gecko enthusiasts who were tired of finding incomplete information about our pet Geckos. We enlisted the help of some serious gecko enthusiasts,breeders,owners, and veterinarians who helped us compile information.
http://www.theultimateleopardgeckomanual.com
Handling Your Leopard Gecko
Handling a new leopard gecko can be a problematic undertaking, especially for people who don't have a lot of previous experience in dealing with reptiles, or if you're someone whose experience is universally with larger ones. However, it's not really all that complicated.
When handling any animal, you're going to want to take things slow, and that applies as much to geckos as to any other. When you first get the gecko, hold it only for short periods of time, or not at all, depending on how calm or nervous it is. An animal that's extremely nervous should probably be left alone for the first little while in order to let it get used to things.
Your lizard should be able to adjust to its new environment before it has to deal with additional stress. Remember, it's hard for such a small animal to realize that you're not a predator, given the size difference between you. Take things slow to help yourself gain your gecko's trust.
When you think the gecko is used to its surroundings, you can proceed to touching it. Don't just grab at your gecko, however. After all, leopard geckos are prey animals for many other species, and a shadow from above tells them they're in danger!
Instead, slowly place your hand inside the cage, like a piece of the scenery and allow your pet to get used to it and to climb on it. The gecko should be willing to walk across your hand inside the cage. Once it gets a little more used to you, it'll be easier to gently close your hand and hold it.
Remember never to move too fast or handle your animal roughly. It could be stressed and injured. Avoid touching the head or tail, as these can cause your leopard gecko to startle and bolt. Touching only the body will enable you to keep your pet from feeling threatened.
Threatened leopard geckos will drop their tails, causing injury and the site of a potential infection. Avoid this by never holding your gecko by the tail, and only handling it in the gentlest way you can.
Herd your lizard into your hand rather than grabbing it, and when you do pick the lizard up, cradle the body, putting the least pressure on that you can.
Leopard geckos are hardy, durable animals, but they're still very small and could be damaged by too much pressure, especially when they're babies. The more used to you your gecko is, the easier it will be to handle it without fear of escape.
New or young geckos will be quite nervous and skittish in the beginning, but will calm down as they become accustomed to your presence. Handle your animal on a regular basis to keep it from losing its accustomization to your presence. Daily handling is not too much, if you want to make sure that your lizard stays friendly and sociable with humans.
Reptiles can "forget" their tameness and require socialization all over again if they're allowed too much time without contact with humans. Gentleness is always paramount - don't forget just because your gecko is getting older. It's still much smaller than you are and quite easy to damage.
-----------------------------------------------------
We are Leopard Gecko enthusiasts who were tired of finding incomplete information about our pet Geckos. We enlisted the help of some serious gecko enthusiasts,breeders,owners, and veterinarians who helped us compile information.
http://www.theultimateleopardgeckomanual.com
roger
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I handle them after their first shed and meal.
Claire
Claire
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to get it used to handling I would handle it in the tank for a few minutes once a day and slowley increase the amount of time you hold him. Then take him out of the tank and do the same. worked with mine
worked with mine
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thegeckoguy23
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After there first meal i would say and i would recomend atleast 5-10 mins per day and after a few weeks boom you got a tame gecko...
Jake
Jake
Shadowygnome
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- Arkansas
ive had my my juvenile leo about 2 weeks and he is around 5 or 6 weeks old. i ive been handling him in his tank for the last few days and he doesnt seem to be taking to the idea and trys to run every time, i know he sees me as a threat but is it ok for me to still pick him up if trying to run or should i just leave him alone?
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