Shy Gecko

[solomonslayer]

Charmeleon is my first gecko and I got him about two months ago. When I first got him and he settled in to his new environment I started handling him and he always seemed very eager to come out and explore and see me but over the past couple of weeks he's been hiding from me all day and he's afraid of my hand. The only time I see him is when he pokes his head out of his hide to eat. Any tips on how I can get him used to me and being handled?

 

[verogold]

I had the same problem as well. I finally came to the conclusion that some will never be comfortable with being handled. It's not what we want but it's best for them. Those are the display geckos

 

[artes]

Something might have spooked him. Use a high pitched voice when you talk to him (think baby talk) and try some soothing music when you go to handle him. And start over from the beginning - let him check out your hand, and when hes' comfortable with that start to lift him up a bit, etc.

 

[verogold]

I have had my gecko for 7 years and he would never agree with me I would place my hand in and he will come up smell it and just keep on walking. When I scoop him up and sit on my bed he will not stay in my hand. Instead he will walk quickly and find a place to hide. He will try to squeeze between pillows or under the blanket. I constantly talk to him but nothing ever seem to work. Could it be related to the fact he was already an adult when I adopted him?

 

[artes]

It could be. Or you just have one that really doesn't like handling. Most of mine are perfectly happy to be handled, but I have a few that hate it. I just assume something spooked his since the gecko was fine with being handled initially.

 

[PhoenixCoconut]

Chameleons are lizards and he prob. is like one of my leos that doesn't like to be held.

 

[scm133]

I have 11, and two do not like to be handled. They all have been treated the same. The two leos will either flatten in my hand or do the shaking walk like they are saying.."oh no...that human is holding me..ugh, not again!"