My leo keeps trying to run away

[Timna Ssome]

So i've had Jackson for almost two months now. He eats fine, tail is fattening up, sleeps all day, active at night, etc. If i put my hand in his cage and wait a while, he will eventually come on it. he's fine when on my body, but as soon as i let him down on the floor or blanket or something to roam, he immediately tries to run away. It's not like he's exploring, he's full on heading for the dark space under my bed or in the closet or something like that. I think it may be because he's unhappy, but that's just a guess. Anyone why he's doing this/how to make him stop? Answers are much appreciated

 

[katie_]

Geckos dont like to be handled, they only tolerate it. Running away is normal. They will never tame like a dog or cat sadly

 

[stager]

Lots run especially young females. Most of my males don't mind, my giant will just sit in my hand forever it seems.

 

[Snuffles379]

When my male was young he acted very similar. He happily climbed onto my hand when put into the cage and enjoyed being handled but if I put him away from my body he would always run for a dark area. I don't believe it is because they are unhappy, it's just instinct, it seems logical that they probably feel exposed in the open. As my male got older he stopped this, if I did let him down to explore I would make some cave area's or similar formations out of a blanket for him to roam (make sure you keep an eye on him) but he has always preferred to be on my body so maybe yours is the same. Now that he is older he's fine separate on the floor but if he gets spooked he now runs towards me instead of away.
I don't believe it's crucial for him to be able to run around the ground so don't worry about it and I wouldn't push him into it. Just make a little warm cave out of a blanket on your lap and he'd probably love sleeping in there more than he would roaming on the floor any day, I know mine does.

 

[DoubleZ]

He probably doesn't feel safe out in the open and so is trying to make a break for a dark hidden spot where he feels safer. In the wild they would be easily spotted by predators out in the open, it's just his self preservation instincts.