Omg i was so scared!

[stephanieluffsu]

Okay so I was downstairs with my little niece( about 2 years old) and I was showing her and my brother my new gecko. He was acting fine, crawling around my hands. And when I was sitting on the floor i was coaxing my niece into coming closer and not being afraid. Well i lifted him up(he was in the palm of my hand) he hissed at me and jumped down on the ground, towards my niece. Needless to say, my niece was completely scared, and I was a bit freaked too. So i gently picked him up and hurried up stairs, putting him in his tank with the lid securely on. I was just building up trust in him, and now, i'm not so sure I want to handle him.
I don't know why it freaked me out so much, it just did.
Does anyone happen to have any ideas of why this happened??

 

[Metal_Gecko]

Well, it was *probably* just a quick/fast movement that startled him?

How long have you had him?
How often is he handled?
How old is he?

-Wes

 

[stephanieluffsu]

Well, it was *probably* just a quick/fast movement that startled him?

How long have you had him?
How often is he handled?
How old is he?

-Wes

I've had him for a few days, he is a Juvenile, and He has been handled every day, with no problem. I would put my hand in the bottom of the tank and he would climb right on. I really don't know what went wrong.

 

[Lindz]

My guess is the sudden movement. My gecko kinda freaks if things are moving to fast.

 

[WulfSC]

I agree with Wes and Lindz, I think the reaction was caused by a sudden movement. They're small critters...when we hold them, or someone else comes around it' s like they're being surrounded by giants. LOL! I wouldn't worry about it, I'm sure it wasn't a malicious intent involved. Maybe try and limit the interaction with others until you've had him/her a little longer, get the leo used to being handled by you and then slowly introduce it to your niece and brother. Or, if you want them to see it... let them view the leo in its enclosure.

I hope that helps...

 

[LizardPants]

Really, there's no reason to be afraid of it. There's no harm that a gecko can do, even if it does bite (very rare).
If you immediately put him back in his enclosure, it only reinforces the behaviour.

 

[sausage]

yes i have to sy i agree with lizardpants (great name by the way )
he will just associate that with being able to go home.
and if you have only had him a few days then hes probs not settled in yet. a new home and new people is very scary for a baby gecko.
mine took ages to be able to trust me and now i put my hand in and they climb out onto my shoulder (when they feel like it mind you lol)
just be patient he wil come around, treats are always a good way to . good luck

 

[tlbowling]

Really, there's no reason to be afraid of it. There's no harm that a gecko can do, even if it does bite (very rare).
If you immediately put him back in his enclosure, it only reinforces the behaviour.

I dont think they think like this, do they?

 

[sausage]

I dont think they think like this, do they?

yeah sure they do, iv seen it loads of times. for example my mothers crestie wasnt to bad with coming out when she first got him. then one day he didnt want to come out so he poo on her making her put him back. so now he poos on you every time you get him out, which to be ohnist you do put it back so you can go clean your self up lol

i dont see where this disbelief of geckos intelligence is coming from.
they are very clever. no diffrent from cats and dogs or other animals. they might do dumb things from time to time but dosnt every one!? they know just how to play you.

 

[LizardPants]

I dont think they think like this, do they?

Yes they do! The same holds true for all reptiles, especially neonates or new arrivals that aren't quite settled in. I've had various reptiles as pets for over 28 years.
The reptile industry has gotten a lot better in those 28 years, and most well cared for captive bred animals take handling better and don't exhibit this behaviour as much, but it still happens from time to time.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

I believe they're capable of some associations, for instance, as the bringer of food they accept us messing around in their homes. That isn't an instinct, it's learned behavior.

And Stephanie, your little gecko needs to get settled in and used to you before you take it out to show others. Let others view thru the glass, your baby will not feel so threatened by the movements of others that way. He will be on his own turf

 

[stephanieluffsu]

Okay thanks guys!

 

[Bbugs]

I guess my Leo was special, because I handled her for an hour right as I got her, an she is the sweetest and most docile thing ever.

 

[WulfSC]

I believe they're capable of some associations, for instance, as the bringer of food they accept us messing around in their homes. That isn't an instinct, it's learned behavior.

And Stephanie, your little gecko needs to get settled in and used to you before you take it out to show others. Let others view thru the glass, your baby will not feel so threatened by the movements of others that way. He will be on his own turf

That's very similar to the advice I gave Stephanie. See, it really is true, GREAT MINDS think alike. :main_yes:

 

[Dog Shrink]

I've had my leo since october and he still doesn't like it when hubby has to handle him or hold him for em to do something despite them always being out next to eachother when I have him out, and he will crawl onto him if he has on a darker sweatshirt than I do, but aside of that forget it. I think a loft of it is also scent related. Unfamilliar smell reaching to them. I agree that the socializing thru the glass benefit is two fold. They get to see you and study your behaviors but they also get to smell you and get comfortable with that as well.