Tail Obsessive

[1Riotmaker7]

Well I think I have a few questions.Right now I have three leopard geckos. Theyre my first ones iv had. But when I was younger my friend had one and his tail fell off for now reason. And everytime I go to pick up Tillmin(my 1st leo) im totally afraid its just gonna pop off, even though he doesnt seem to have a problem with being held. Should I really be this worried everytime I touch him? My friend came over and touched his tail gently when I was holding him and I kinda freaked out. Does anyone else have this fear as bad as I do? Or am I really just psycho

 

[Khrysty]

lol I was just as worried with my first leo. Turns out they don't drop their tails nearly that easily. I've never had one drop its tail on me and sometimes I've had to handle them pretty roughly (they like to try and take flying leaps off my hands, sometimes catching them by the tail is the only thing that stops them). As long as they don't feel threatened, they're not going to drop it, and chances are your geckos don't think you're going to eat them.

 

[1Riotmaker7]

That makes me feel better I was treating his tail like a golden nugget I wouldnt let anyone touch it, I wouldnt even touch it lol

 

[Khrysty]

Lol once you guys get used to each other you'll start to learn what you can and can't do with him. He'll let you know when he's uncomfortable, and you'll have PLENTY of warning before he drops his tail (if it ever comes down to that)

How long have you had these guys?

 

[1Riotmaker7]

I'v had Tillmin for a month or two now, and my two new girls for three days but I only handled them the day I got them and havent touched them since. They dont want anything to do with me right now, the one wags her tail at me.

 

[Khrysty]

Yeah, let the girls acclimate for a week or two before trying to handle them. But you know the whole "let them get used to your hand and climb up on it on their own" strategy, don't you? If not, it's pretty self-explanatory. Takes a few weeks to a couple of months but in the end, ends up with a pretty clear relationship between you and your leos

 

[1Riotmaker7]

I put my hand in there yesterday to see if they would do anything but the one female just wagged her tail and attempted a bite but I have to say it was pretty pathetic lol Im not gonna try again for a few more days.

 

[Khrysty]

Lol good plan. And good luck

 

[1Riotmaker7]

Thanks

 

[VampyricAngelX]

I used to be the same way about my boys, I was afraid to touch their tails at all. But now that they're used to me I don't worry about at all really. They trust me and my Dante lets me know by grunting at me when he's unhappy.

 

[Chibii]

If you whant to keep the tail nice, just do what you have to. But sins their would be no reason for my gecko to lose her tail, im not that scard. i tell my frend all the time not to toutch her tail or go near it. So

 

[jakemyster44]

I think that after the gecko has setled in, and the "move in shock" has worn off, that it would be more of a challenge to get them to drop their tail than getting them to keep it. Some people think that the tails will just pop off at any given moment. If find it to be the exact opposite. Seeriously, I could probably dangle my geckos by only their tails and they wouldnt drop them (not that I would!).

 

[herpencounter]

They don’t want to lose there tail just as much as you don’t want them to lose there tail =).

 

[Riyo]

I've had to give one of mine shots in the tail before when he was ill. (One a day for ten days.) He didn't like it to say the least but he didn't drop it. Hope that makes you feel better!

 

[ecmartin]

be careful when moving water dishes and objects in their cage, I accidently dropped a rock next to my gecko and it freaked her out and she dropped her tail.

 

[chachasushi]

I've never had one lose a tail. I think it's cute/funny/odd that if you startle them, they've known to just "pop!" there goes the tail! LOL. It's like us going "ack! thunder" and then a leg falls off. Cracks me up