I feel like my gecko isnt happy and doesn't really like me.

[bry12345]

I'll start this by saying I have no intention of getting rid of her, and her conditions are optimal. Hot hide ranges from high 70s to low 90s. Moist hide is moist. Cool hide is mid 70s.

Now the issue. I don't know if it's actually an issue, but I digress. First thing is, she doesn't use anything. She stays in her moist cave all day (when I'm here anyway) and only uses her hot or cool hide when the food is out and she needs somewhere to run to after eating some. She has a hammock, a plant, a paper towel roll and a ruler bridging the top of two hides. She used the paper towel roll for a few days until I used it as her way to the hammock, that she never uses.

Second, I don't think she likes me. She's at least 6 months old now (judging on size and we just switched to every other day feeding) and still doesn't come out much, and when I try to scoop her up she flinches away a little. When I have her out, she loves to explore. At least, I thought that until I let her in the carpet, and she took off a little ways and started tail wagging at me. Is this typical or should I try something different?

She seems bored and is always sleeping, and isn't too excited about being touched. What to do...

 

[wicked gecko]

That's alot of variation for hot hide temps, mine stays between 88-92. Do you have a thermostat hooked to your uth? It's normal for them not to be real active during the day. As far as handling just keep working with it Lil bye Lil. Best to let it walk hand over hand right in the tank close to floor so it gains trust. Some definitely like interaction more than others though.

 

[J&M UNE]

Agreed with above the temp has alot of variation?? How are you heating?

Sent from my Z936L using Tapatalk

 

[acpart]

Geckos have different temperaments. Some like to be out and about and some spend most of their time hiding. I had a gecko for 12 years I named "Cameo" because she only ever made cameo appearances. Sometimes a gecko will stay in a certain place and behave a certain way for awhile and then change to a different habitual location. Most leopard geckos, if placed in a wide open space, will head for cover and hide. It can be more enjoyable for both you and the gecko to pull the couch cushions forward (if you have a couch with cushions) and let the gecko explore behind the cushions. I used to do this back when I only had a few geckos.

Aliza

 

[bry12345]

On heating, I have a UTH under the tank with paper towels and slate. Under the hot hide, due to thickness differences on the slate, about a 4th of it will go to the low 80s after I did a recent thermostat adjustment. The rest usually sits between 87 and 92. This will probably be changed to a different tile when I clean tonight.

I wasn't expecting a social pet, just less flinching away after 4 months (i think) I'll follow the advice I've seen and hopefully it improves!

 

[Lil Birdie23]

This is my first time replying to a post, but I feel that I can help you with some of your problems. I do agree with the others on the temperature. I have a heat pad and my day lamp on one side of the tank and the night lamp on the other. I do this because when it's night he has a heat source on both sides (pad on right and lamp on left). Most people don't like to use all of them, but I do. The more heat there is will make them more active. Mine doesn't come out much during the day either. Nothing to worry about. They are nocturnal. They are actually more crepuscular which means dawn and dusk movement, but they do come out at night though. Mine just lays in his warm hide which has the day lamp and heat pad and goes to sleep. He sometimes comes out if no one has come in the room for a while. That is rare as far as I know. He probably does explore during the night time, but they won't keep moving continuously for 8-12 hours. I know I am going off topic. What I am saying is that you should not be worried about him not coming out. If he doesn't come out when you feed him would be a whole other story.

I don't think that your leopard gecko doesn't like you. It has just not gotten used to you. How often do you hold him/her? When she flinches or makes a fast motion or when she moves her tail slowly do you back away? Dont back away from these. The slow motion of the tail going side to side means they don't want to be messed with and they are warning you that they see you, etc. If you back away from these actions then they will keep doing them to make you go away. They learn that you will leave them alone. Just try and keep your gecko contained while taming it so that it can just focus on you and not go anywhere, unlike if it was on the floor or something. If it's contained and it shakes its tail just set your hand down flat (back side down) and leave it there so it knows you won't hurt it. It takes a few weeks (could be more depending on age and the animal itself). I also give my Leo a meal worm or two if he/she did good and behaved while I was holding him. That's another thing you could do. Training them to stay still. Sorry I went off topic, but I do hope this helps if you read it. Good luck.