Too old to start "taming"?

[Remy]

I recently adopted a two and a half year old female. The past owner told me he did not handle her much, if at all, however, since I've gotten her, I take her out daily, for 5 to 10 minutes. She isn't use to me just yet, she'll hide when I first put my hand in the terrarium (she's sticks her head out as I clean her poop or change her water). She's a little skittish when I first pick her up but as soon as I have her comfortably in my hand, she calms down. She actually seems to enjoy exploring, running around or just sitting on me while she looks about.

I'll have to give it time, but I guess my question is....

Is two and a half years old too old to start "taming"?

Thanks!

Edit: She'll sometimes make a little noise, which I then take as my queue that she's had enough and is ready to go back in.

 

[Latlaw]

I think you're doing great! I'd continue to do as you have been. It sounds like she is "taming" very nicely. My older guys are much easier to hold. More calm, relaxed, and slower moving.

 

[sammer021486]

My first gecko was a 2.5 years old, but he could have been older, the previous owner had had him for 2.5 years. He was very skittish, did not like to be handled and would run to his hide at the slightest sign of motion in the room. It took about 2 months, but after that he was handle able and no longer afraid to be out when some one entered the room.

 

[Keith N]

It just takes time but they will come around. Make it a point to a handle everyday to get it used to the interaction

 

[Remy]

Thanks guys, motivating to hear. Any tips, tricks or activities we can do to aid the "bonding" process?

Edit: Also, I've been feeding her first and then taking her out a couple of hours after, you know, give her some time to digest.

Would you say it's better to handle them before or after feeding?

 

[Leopard.Geckerz]

I've always liked to hold after feeding, not immediately, but say the morning after or later that night. They seem more relaxed with a fully tummy, in my experience

 

[jemjdragon]

A little trick I've done for taming or letting them get used to you is sticking your hand in the tank for a few minutes then taking the hand out. Some leos, after a while will walk up to "smell" you. Though the point of the excercise is to show how unthreatening you are, so even if after a while the gecko starts walking up to you or climbing your hand, you still need to stay still. Only after it has been climbing on your hand repeatedly (every time you do the exercise) for a while, you could try picking it up during/after the exercise.

I got this idea from www.thegeckospot.net Here is a quote from one of their care sheets:

New hatchlings and juveniles can be very jumpy and nervous, some will hiss, scream and lunge (trying to bite), but usually they calm down with age and will be more tolerant of being handled if they are handled gently. A good way to get your leo used to your presence is to put your hand in the tank, slowly, for a couple of minutes every day. This way the leo should realise that you are not a threat. Soon your leo will become inquisitive and may come to check out your hand. In addition you could try offering a waxworm by hand (be careful they don’t bite your fingers!, some leos are more accurate at catching food than others. Their bite does not hurt, but I worry that biting onto your finger may damage their jaw).

They explain it better than me,

 

[Remy]

Thanks for the link. I'll check it out and give it a try.

 

[Remy]

After having checked out the site, I tried it and it played out exactly as said. I placed my hand in the tank in front of the hide she was in, for the first minute, nothing. She got curious and stuck her head out, then she slowly approached my hand and smelled it a couple times. Once satisfied with her investigation she headed back to her hide, I left my hand in there for another minute and then removed it.

I waited 30-45 minutes and then decided to attempt to pick her up. This time she was very calm and relaxed as I got her in my hands. I had her out with me for about 5-10 minutes and everything was going well, she was still calm and relaxed, either just sitting there gazing around or doing some exercise on the hand treadmill.

Point is.... satisfying progress!

I plan on doing a routine of placing my hand in for several minutes before feedings, and doing the same before her daily outing.

This was a good trick, thanks!

 

[jemjdragon]

No problem. I hope you succeed in taming her.

 

[Keith N]

Sounds like good progress

 

[Remy]

Yeah, things are going very well! It's only been a little over a week and she no longer runs away or freaks out from my hand when I try to pick her up and such.

I'm surprisingly pleased!

Whenever I do have her out however, I don't let her climb all the way up my arm, on to my shoulder, back or neck. Simply because I find it difficult to get her back once she has found her spot.
Point is, whenever she tries, I pick her up, and bring her back to my hands, but whenever I do this, she let's out a little audible gurgle.

Does she want to go up there that badly? Am I hurting her as I pick her up?
What an odd little creature she is!