how long till i can handle?

[KaprikaAZ]

i know that the typical rule of thumb is "give your gecko a few weeks to settle" but is this JUST when your buying lil teeny ones from the petstore?
i never see any specifications on that rule.

say i got an adult 1 year old leo, thats probably USED to being handled. do i need to leave him alone?
is it okay to touch after hes sat for the whole day? he seems calm enough

*yes, i know about the quaranteene rule. he has his own bin

 

[indyana]

That rule applies to all geckos, not just hatchlings. Hatchlings are more likely to be completely spazzed out, but you should give any gecko some time to adjust to their new home and start eating properly before you dive into handling.

 

[DrCarrotTail]

I don't think it would hurt him but I like to give mine at least two weeks and make sure they've eaten a good meal before serious handling. Sometimes it takes older geckos longer to adapt to new situation than younger ones and they don't need to eat as regularly as the little ones so keeping a close eye on their habits and weight is a good idea.

 

[Jeff20]

I would leave him be, but you can always place your hand in there for him to check you out.

 

[Olympus]

I won't handle brand new lizards for at least at week, but I will start with my usual routine by day 2-3, which can include hand/tong feeding. It's what I do for my others so I let the new additions acclimate from my routine from the very beginning, plus it helps build up a bit of trust without the stress that can come from handling for some animals.