Leopard Gecko Prolems (Too Aggressive, Too frightened)

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corvettefan

Guest
Before I get to the questions, let me start off by telling you guys what my setup is like. I have two geckos but I don't know what the ages of them are.

Nike is the larger one and is about 4" - 4.5" long including tail. Shakers is the smaller one and the first one I got and is about 3" - 3.5". Nike has about an inch over Shakers.

I have a 10 Gal. tank with aspen as substrate. I have two caves for them to retreat to, and a log. I also have a water dish.

When feeding them, I try to take them out and put them in a box for feeding. When I try and take them out Nike looks like she is about to bite me. I figure it wont hurt but I'm scared that they'll bite me, but when they do, I freak out and I don't want to hurt them. and Shakers is always too frightened to let me handle him/her (I don't know yet) and so I try not to because I don't want to stress her.

Nike is way to agressive to me and Shakers. I've witnessed Nike bite Shakers at least twice and once found a red dot on Shakers' head which I figured was dried blood. The bites aren't hard (I've seen some crazy Leos on YouTube) but I fear that Nike is "bullying" Shakers because of the size difference.

Shakers is too shy and frightened of every little thing, and it's nearly impossible for me to handle her or take her out of the tank to put her in the "feeding box."


So... my question is how to get Nike less agressive, how to get Shakers less frightened and as a side, how to get them a bit more active.

Thanks to those of you who took the time to read my entire thread.
 
T

t04jas

New Member
Messages
71
Location
Newfoundland
I think it would be best to separate them if you can, as they might never get used to living together, especially if they are both male.
 
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C

corvettefan

Guest
So should I get a larger terrarium or two seperate ones?
 
acpart

acpart

Geck-cessories
Staff member
Messages
15,406
Location
Somerville, MA
Here are some suggestions:

I agree it's wiser to separate them. The aggressive one is bullying the other one and it will probably not get better. You could get another 10 gallon and that should work

Replace the aspen. Your feeders can hide in it, rot and smell. Non particulate substrate is best for leos. My substrate of choice is ceramic tile but you can also use paper towels, vinyl tile or repti-carpet

After you separate them, don't handle them for awhile but let them see your hand and hear your voice so they continue to get used to you. Once the aspen is gone and they're separated it should be much easier to feed them in their regular enclosure. Although there are some leos who get used to being moved to a different place to eat, many get freaked out about being moved and are too stressed to eat.

After they've had a chance to readjust, try putting your finger near each one and letting it lick your hand. After a day or 2 of that, see if you can gently scoop one up and make a cave of your hand for it to sit in. That will feel less like you're a predator grabbing them to eat them.

I hope you get more enjoyment out of them this way.

Aliza
 
C

corvettefan

Guest
Okay, that sounds like a plan Aliza. Now to get my brother to get rid of the aspen...
 
C

corvettefan

Guest
Hmmm...they don't tend to like me very much. I think it's because I'm too skittish of them. MY brother goes right ahead and picks them up. I've a bit scared and dont want to stress them but end up doing it. Ah well...

I know it absolutly DOESN'T hurt when they bite but I'm still scared and freak out everytime they bit.
 
Adinar

Adinar

New Member
Messages
1,275
Location
Elizabethville, PA
I'd def agree with what everyone else is suggesting and seperate them. You don't want more un-needed stress on the smaller of the two. Chances are they might calm down once they're settled in.
 
C

corvettefan

Guest
Adinar said:
I'd def agree with what everyone else is suggesting and seperate them. You don't want more un-needed stress on the smaller of the two. Chances are they might calm down once they're settled in.
Click to expand...

My brother and I are working on getting either

a. Buying another 10 gallon tank

or

b. Make another 10 Gallon
 
L

LizMarie

New Member
Messages
2,002
Location
NYC
I agree to separate and make sure you have the right temps and proper set up and you won't have to feed them in another place. Like Alize said take baby steps, put your hand in the tank and let them smell it so they see your not a threat. Hopefully they'll just got up on your hand but if not scoop them up from infront like right between their legs and just let them explore your hand.
 
C

corvettefan

Guest
Explained to my brother that we need to split him, and he doesn't agree. I'll do it tonight when he's at a sleepover. His point is that the geckos are his, but he always talks about how their ours. He doesn't understand. Whatever:main_rolleyes:
 
C

corvettefan

Guest
leoman777 said:
you should really seperate them. . you can do whatever you want with YOUR gecko right??
Click to expand...
Yeah, the problem is I'm not there much. I have been the last couple of months, but my brothers feel like it's theirs. I'll just keep them in the same room but seperate them, it'll be fine.
 
Krow

Krow

Senior Member
Messages
918
Location
East Texas
A 10g tank is way too small for 2 leos, you should have 10g for evey leo example: 1 leo-10g, 2 leos-20g, etc. I have 1 leo right now, but I will be getting another one soon & I have a 20g ready for when it comes, I also have a spare 10g to house the new leo in if they dont get along or until they are adults. They also might be males, & males will fight, some times even to the death. You shouldnt house them together in that small of a tank, also not until you know if they are male or female. The only way the other will not be frightend is if you handle him/her more often, he/she will eventully get used to you. Just imagine a big monster picking you up that has a big booming voice & is 100 times your size, I know I'd be a little scared too. They just have to get used to your smell, touch, voice & after a while they get better.

And if your brothers dont believe you, let them read the threads about fighting & leos getting killed as a result. Just show then & maybe they will finally see, also if your older, tell your parents of the risk & they will set it right, hopfully.
 
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