Skiddish Geckos

[jacobrov]

Hi all! Two months ago I purchased two female leopard geckos from a local pet store that breeds their own geckos. The two have lived together their whole lives so I have been housing them together to ease their transition, and have never seen them be hostile (they sleep curled together, it's adorable). However, I just have one concern. Even after two months they still seem quite frightened of me, if I stand up from my desk at night they will get spooked and sprint back to their den. They are OK when I bring out their food as I have been feeding them by hand, but I just worry that I am stressing them out by being close. One I was able to handle once as she climbed on my hand after feeding, but the other always darts away. Sorry for the long post, was just wondering if anyone has any advice on how to convince them I am not a threat? Thanks

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[Kristi23]

I moved this from general site questions to general leopard geckos.

It's possible they are just jumpy because they are young and still settling in. Once in awhile, I'll have an adult who is easily spooked and jumps. Once he realized it was me, he was fine. Each one will be different. Just keep trying small amounts of contact. Being near them shouldn't bother most geckos.

 

[B&B Geckos]

As Kristi explained, they have different personalities. The more skittish usually learn to relax more with age. Try catching one of the m while in the wet hide. Take out the hide with the gecko in it. Place it on your bed and kneel down so that you're not hovering over it which scares them. Open the hide (avoid sudden movements) wait a minute or two for it to crawl over the lip of the hide and have your hand in place for it to crawl onto. Let it crawl from hand to hand for a minute or two, the first experience is crucial so be patient (i've observed they have a pretty good memory) so be very gentle, and quiet. Repeat and extend the time. As it gets comfortable stimulate it: place it on your shoulder, and bed to explore, present them with object to tongue smell (candles, fruit), tickle their head and sides with a small brush. Prepare a knee deep bath in a tub with a little "island" with a few insect treats on it. Most learn to love contact and will readily come to you like puppies.
All of mine get spooked at night when I walk into my reptile room with the lights off.

 

[jacobrov]

I should have probably mentioned they aren't juveniles, they are both about 2, but thanks for all the great advice anyway, I'll have to try it! I wish I had known this stuff at the beginning, the first time I had to handle them didn't go so smoothly (it was while transferring them into their terrariums, both tried to jump out of my hands, I realize now that I did it wrong though, these are my first reptilian pets). They do seem to be getting better though, they get excited when I bring out their food, but are otherwise still spooked

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[warhawk]

I agree with the others take it slow. Unless they have never been handled they should come around no problem.

Another trick I have used is when you go to feed keep you hand in the tank with them for a min or so. They will link you with food and that helps them calm down. With worms its easier you can use a finger to hold the worm on the floor and allow it to flip around so the geckos see it, crickets are little harder. And it might sound stupid but I talk to mine, I say hello when I come in the room and when I'm feeding I ask if they will eat. Just simple stuff so they hear my voice.