shy?

[EvoDave101]

my leo is a very shy little guy

if i go out the room an come back in after a few mins he will be walkin about but as soon as he see's me come back in he goes into his hide

also when i lift the top off the viv i think this is scaring him an he goes into his hide an its stopping him eating :\

ive had him for bout 3 months an i got him when he was young

anything i can do? i wish he wouldnt be so shy

 

[Kelentari]

Maybe you could try getting a black or red light to look at him and feed him at night. You know, they are nocturnal and usually like being left alone and sleep during the day, anyway. Also, is he an albino? He might be extra sensitive to light if he is. Hmm, what else can I think of...just try to be gentle and quiet around him...sounds like you're stalking him a bit! Haha! Try to refrain from "catching" him out of his hide. He's prolly feeling threatened from your wanting to see him so much! Just let him chill out most of the day and peek in on him in the evening. Get that black or red light so he doesn't know he's lit up and I bet you'll get to see more of him! Hope some of this helps and good luck!

 

[EvoDave101]

hes out an about at the moment 8:00pm UK time, hes walkin around an climbing on his hides.

ive got a red heat lamp cos the temperature in the viv is cold due to me living in the UK which isnt the hottest of places, i put that on during the day.

to make him eat i have to take his hides out so he will actually notice his food

maybe i do disturb him during the day, so ill try not to disturb him

i want him to be tame but, im scared when i put my hand in the viv to get him used to my hand that he will bite me

 

[imb27]

yeah my new baby is also very shy. He is getting better though. Now he doesn't run when i come outside but when i open the viv top he runs into his hide, just not immediately now. During the day i let him be and sleep, i just peek into his hide every couple of hours or so to make sure he is doing ok. What i do to feed is i take all his hides and stuff out to let him feed, this works good. after i feed i usually hold him for about 5 mins and he is getting better and better each day. The first time he just sat still and didn't really let me touch him much, but now he climbs all over me. So just daily handling should work and he should come around. Long post i know .

P.S. He hasn't bitten me yet, he just hissed at me once because i touched to low on his back.

 

[EvoDave101]

cheers thats made me feel a bit better im gna feed him in about an hour then i will try leavin my hand in the viv for a few mins an see how he reacts

i wasnt sure if takin all the hides away would make him stressed?

he came out of his hide for a walk an then went back to sleep lazy leo

 

[Kelentari]

hes out an about at the moment 8:00pm UK time, hes walkin around an climbing on his hides.

ive got a red heat lamp cos the temperature in the viv is cold due to me living in the UK which isnt the hottest of places, i put that on during the day.

to make him eat i have to take his hides out so he will actually notice his food

maybe i do disturb him during the day, so ill try not to disturb him

i want him to be tame but, im scared when i put my hand in the viv to get him used to my hand that he will bite me

Ah, you mentioned using a heat lamp during the day--do you have anything to provide belly heat for him? That's actually the best kind of heat for leos--it helps them with digestion. I'd recommend getting an under the tank heater (abbreviated UTH), heat tape or heat cable to put under his tank on one side. That way he can regulate his own temp--laying on the warm side when he needs it then moving over to the cool end when he's warmed up enough! You could then just use that red light to look at him at night.

I know what you mean about being scared to put your hand in! I like to feed mine first before trying to say hello; that way no one wants my fingers as food! I'd recommend slowly placing your hand flat out in front of him someday after he eats and see if he's interested. He'll prolly lick at it first to check it out. He may decide to put a foot or two on you. If not, hey, just be patient and try again the next day! He'll eventually get curious enough to walk on ya! The key is to just take it slow--don't make any sudden movements--he more than likely will not bite you as long as you stay calm (even if he does, he's little and it won't hurt). Let it be his idea to come to you!

 

[EvoDave101]

yeah ive got a heat mat for him one side an also the heat lamp heats the reptile carpet a bit which will also give belly heat, i tend to turn it off at nite as in the wild it would get dark an thats when they come out

i will try get some pictures of him an my viv

 

[Kelentari]

Cool--I'd love to see him, the shy little stinker! :main_laugh:

 

[EvoDave101]

hopefully i can get a nice piccie at feeding time in about half an hour

 

[EvoDave101]

i got progress

i put my hand in the viv an he came up to it an touched it with his nose then turned to the side an went to look at himself in the reflection then turned back an he walked over my fingers when walkin back to the other side

couldnt get pictures as i cant use the flash for obviouse reasons so hopefully will be able to tomorrow