Temperament? Personality

[CallDr]

I have watched a lot of YouTube videos and read some threads on the temperament or personality of different Leopard Gecko's.

What are the Good, Bad and Ugly...lol?

Do any of the special breeds have specific traits? For example tamer or not so tame?

Age. What personality changes happens from Baby to Adult?

What age is a good time to get one? To kinda know their personality or temperament?

 

[CallDr]

My questions are really geared around having a Gecko that can be handled. Not only by me but my 10 year old granddaughter. I can't share the learning curve with her till I know. I understand a lot of you guys..... this is old hat and I assume asked a hundred times.

Here is what I can't find in a search. How does the taming and temperament change in going from a juvi to adult ( or let's say 1 year old ).

I's obvious. I have been in pet stores where all they have are babies. They are mostly "wild" and don't like to be held. Thats exactly why I ordered our first 6" long and asked the breeder for one that appeared "tame" or docile.

Now that I have 2, so called juveniles around 5 or 6 months old. What am I to expect?

I know, it's been said, it depends on the Gecko you get. But "depends" covers a lot.... or not....lol!

 

[mascutt]

I don't know if this helps or not, but I did the same. I didn't want any wild babies, but I didn't want an old one set in its ways either. I got mine at around 6". But beyond that, I think the taming process is completely up to you. I handle mine every single day without fail. Mine never showed signs of aggression, but they would try to avoid me at first. Now when they see me coming, Lola just stands up so I can scoop her from underneath... and Sela walks right into my hand. Of course they both have different personalities, which is why most people always say: "Depends..." as you noted. But I just think as long as your geckos feel safe, everything should be fine. And feeling safe, in my opinion, is the handler's job. I have only been bitten once, and that was an accidental bite when Lola was taking food from my hand... and it didn't even hurt - but beyond that, they never behave aggressively towards me, and likewise, I don't behave aggressively towards them. I just think most of it is, like with any pet, learning to live with each other. But I think with lots of patience, you and granddaughter will be fine and have no problems with your leos

But that's just my opinion Hope it helps some

 

[CallDr]

Thanks M!

It's obvious by looking at the Newb threads thats it's not what you know but what you don't. I think I pretty much have a handle on more than just the basics now. I ask a lot of questions based on my 10 year old granddaughter so I can teach her.

Really if I boiled it down to what I "don't know" is what personality/ temperament will happen from 6 months old to a year ( adult stage). But even that from what you just said, and I agree, depends on the handler. I don't like to assume..... which is my nature..lol. But most of what I can "read" because I have no expert to talk to, is that they will get better..... at handling.

Here is what I know about wildlife and I guess is to my advantage. Every animal will have a "dominate" or "subordinate" trait. ( the Depends factor ). So for me, I can tell or recognize body language maybe better than some.

The "stress" issue is and was a little more complicated. The eat,drink,poop and hide factor. I learned that till you have your "gecko home" , set, where it will thermoregulate itself, it's a hit or miss on what you might or might not be seeing.

Then the "time". Waiting is the handler "stress level"...lol.

So, this is why I got another one. To have 2 to see for myself of one vs the other.

Some, like me, got them to be Pets. So it's the Pet factor really and trying to avoid the "depends" and a bad luck of the draw.

 

[CallDr]

Let me explain and maybe this will help. Breeders raise ( or some) like pictured here in an continuer till it is either shipped or sold. The animal has spent it's whole life in a "closed box" by itself. ( not a complaint..... just the facts ). The handler is the care taker or maybe more than one...... care giver.

So what would you or anyone expect when you have been moved from a VERY regulated environment ( temp, food ect ) and done a 180? Yes...... Stress! It's a given from my perspective.

Assuming the Gecko arrives "healthy" then the "factor" is adjusting to the new environment and the "depends" kicks in. They maybe skittish, not eat, not poop, stay in hides or a variety of "normal"...... depends.

So unless you already know some things...... like me who was flying off the seat of my pants and just reading. It's a lot to learn.

What I would like to see is another "Topic". I don't know what to name it. I think? just off the top of my..... The Most Common Questions.

It's not just me but a lot of times the "search" does not get to what you were looking for..... or you come up empty.

Not a complaint..... mind you. I love this site! Care sheets are great! But nothing replaces the information from people with "hands on" experience in what they have learned or can convey with their "personal" animals. Here is where I have learned the most!