Handling

[trigger1121]

What's the best way for my 7 year old son to go about handling his first Leo? We've had her for about two weeks, and haven't done much to try to hold her so she got settled in. The last few days, when he tries to pick her up, she bites at my son. This makes him a little timid around her now. Any help will be appreciated. Thank you

-Craig

 

[clemsonguy1125]

My suggestion is for you to hold and tame her before he starts to handle her much. Or have him hold out his hands while you pick her up. Is he gripping her to tight?
Good Luck

 

[gothra]

Don't just grab the leo, she'll be scared and therefore bites. Try moving the hand slowly in front/side of her (try not to spread out your fingers), then kinda rub the side of her body first. When she accepts that, you can slowly wrap your fingers onto her belly and gently lift her up. New geckos, especially younger ones, tend to be a bit jumpy; so becareful that she might jump off your hand.

 

[Merriweather]

Yeah, how big is she? Little leos are jumpy little things, and are just by default usually hard to handle and mess with, althought I'm not used to them being overly nippy. Try to teach him to pick her up by going beneath her, and teach him to never grasp her, holding onto her and restraining her is terrifying and she will feel as if she is threatened or about to die and will react with squirming or nipping. It makes for unhappy geckos and unhappy yous. That and if she jumps, one of you might mis-grab her and try and grasp her tail which is a whole 'nother can of horrors.
You might have to work with her first, and if shes nippy to you pick her up with one of her hides shes in, or a paper towel roll youve place in the cage etc, she will probably act different once shes on unfamiliar territory. Just make sure to do it close to the ground, and you might want to do it when he's off at school the first few times so he doesn't get too excited or jealous that he can't play with his lizard.
She should come around, just be gentle and patient.

 

[roger]

I would put my hand in and just wiggle your fingers so she gets used to his scent for 5 minutes,and do that for a week and graduaqlly work your way up.

 

[clockwurk]

I'm fairly new to this but I notice that they are much more accepting to a hand coming to them, when its not coming directly from above. I am assuming this is some innate, defense/survival mechanism. Keep in mind, birds are one of their predators in the wild.

 

[phantom12321]

I have a related question. How much handling is too much handling? I've had my leo going on a month now. She's very docile (I received her at 7 or 8 months old). I'm always gentle and very careful picking her up she responds quite well to that. Occasionally her need to scramble away from me seems piqued. Other times I can pick her up and she'll even let me stroke her back with my finger.

Since she got settled at home for about a week or so, I've picked her up almost every day for about 15 minutes or so. Sometimes twice a day. Is that too much I don't want to stress her out? Are there signs to look for that I'm overhandling her?

Also she tends to like to... not jump but sort of tip off of my hand onto my lap if I'm seated. This is a drop of less than 5 inches always. Is that safe or can she hurt herself with this hop?

 

[Merriweather]

I have a related question. How much handling is too much handling? I've had my leo going on a month now. She's very docile (I received her at 7 or 8 months old). I'm always gentle and very careful picking her up she responds quite well to that. Occasionally her need to scramble away from me seems piqued. Other times I can pick her up and she'll even let me stroke her back with my finger.

Since she got settled at home for about a week or so, I've picked her up almost every day for about 15 minutes or so. Sometimes twice a day. Is that too much I don't want to stress her out? Are there signs to look for that I'm overhandling her?

Also she tends to like to... not jump but sort of tip off of my hand onto my lap if I'm seated. This is a drop of less than 5 inches always. Is that safe or can she hurt herself with this hop?

I've heard only really young geckos shouldn't be handled too much, and once they are older and situated you can keep them out for a while and they'll be cool with it.
I'd leave her alone if she seems really disinterested with you fussing with her, or if when shes out and you touch at her she pulls back with annoyance and frustration and not just out of being surprised. People recommend you leave your geckos alone for the first two weeks when you first get them to let them get acclimated with their new home... but thats oh so hard sometimes. I wouldn't wory too much as long as when shes out she doesn't seem flighty or tense, while still seeming alert and aware of her surroundings.

That short a drop shouldnt hurt her, mine have plopped off of me in my chair and onto the carpet when I looked away, and as I cursed myself said gecko was happily adventuring away. D8