Hello from NY!

[natalie]

Hey everyone. I am new to geckos and to this site! Last night I went to ***** and got 2 leopard geckos. I was told they are too young to tell what gender they are (they said they were between 4-6 months old) but I am hoping for either 2 females or a male/female as I know two males will fight. I have a few questions and am not sure where exactly to post them so I hope that it is okay I post them here.

Are there any ways to tell their gender early? Or perhaps any helpful hints that will lead me to what gender they may be?

One of the geckos has shed on his tail still. I did spray it with some water but it got kind of jumpy so I didn't want to bother it any more. Should I just let him/her take care of it or should I aid in shedding?

Also, I just got them about 28 hours ago and have not yet tried to handle them or anything. I read that if you touch the stuff in their cage quite often they will get used to your scent, so I have been opening the cage about 3x a day (feeding, water change, and to mist their moist hide) and touching everything in it lol. Is this crazy or will it really help them get to know me? To be honest I am a little afraid to pick them up! I don't want to hurt them as they are so small and also I'm afraid to get bitten. I don't want to annoy them when they are still adjusting. How long should I wait before I try to handle them, or should I try it now?

Also.. lastly.. does it hurt when they bite? I have heard such different things... that it doesn't hurt at all, and that it hurts SO bad and they often draw blood when they bite. Can you guys give me your opinions? Have you ever been bitten? I know they are pretty docile and generally do not bite but I know that any animal, if annoyed, will bite.

Sorry if it's not okay to post questions in here but since I have a few very different questions I didn't want to post a whole bunch of threads... Thanks for anyone who replies!!!

 

[Dandizette]

These are great questions and welcome! I'm pretty new here myself. : )

I don't have anything to help you out as far as gender goes.

For shedding, don't fuss with it just yet. Make sure you're misting often (and it sounds like you are) and keep their damp hide moist. You also may want to try using warm water. It might just come off on its own very soon. If not, you have a few options. You can try purchasing a commercial shed aid that will help more than water or you can try to help him, but since they are new, you should try let it happen naturally first. Leopard geckos need to learn to shed themselves. If they are helped too often, they may learn to expect it and never do it on their own- a friend of mine had this happen. She couldn't resist helping her leo shed and eventually, he ceased trying to help himself.

It's good that you haven't handled them yet, and I haven't heard about this touching their stuff thing before. It doesn't sound too crazy to me. It's good that you're conscientious of their feelings. They're still young and have no doubt gone through several traumatizing home changes.

When it comes time to handle them, or if that shed still won't come off, offer your hand spread with palm upward and let them sniff/lick it first. Let them make contact with you and come into your hand. During the first few meetings, including the shed one, keep your hands in the tank so they have something familiar around. Then, should the shed still be attached, with damp fingers carefully and slowly rub the area, then pull the shed off. Be very, very gentle since the skin is on the tail. We don't want your new lizard to get spooked and drop his tail. If the lizard becomes agitated or spooked, give it a break or let it run away and try again later.

Failing all that, you can try filling a bowl with warm (NOT HOT) water and placing it in their tank. Set them in it, and help by gently rubbing at the skin on the tail.

As far as bites, I can't give you a definitive answer. I've never been bitten by either of my leopard geckos. I've been bitten by my beardie and my old anole both, though. Sometimes it hurt, sometimes it didn't. It just depends on where they bit me, how much they grabbed and what kind of mood they were in. For you, it will also depend on your pain tolerance level. I think biting pain is all very subjective.

If you're lucky like me, they'll never bite you. : )

I hope all goes well with your two new geckos and again, welcome!
Post pictures of them soon. I bet they're little beauties, despite where they are from.

 

[KelliH]

Welcome to GeckoForums.net!

 

[Gecko_Jay09]

Welcome to GF !

 

[natalie]

Post pictures of them soon. I bet they're little beauties, despite where they are from.

=)

 

[Taquiq]

Welcome to GF!

 

[Dandizette]

Oooh! They are little darlings! : ) Thank you for the picture.