Why am I such a BIG Chicken???

[Pokersnake]

I hear a lot about "let the animal adjust" and "they need time" but the funny thing is that we're animals too. WE need time. WE need to adjust sometimes. Only difference is that we have this giant brain mass that leads us to have more mental complications than a little lizard could ever comprehend. So when you say you're scared of this or that, take it slow and don't go beyond your comfort level. If you're freaking out, I'm sure the animal will not like being around you, let alone ON you.

I find it amusing that you've payed attention to Temple Grandin because of her research. I've taken an interest in her because I work with special ed kids, some with autism. She is an incredible person.

 

[Dog Shrink]

I took an interest in Temple Grandin because she thinks from an animal's point of view and not a scientific one. She is able to process things logically and simply rather than over thinking and muddying the waters with illogical over thought concepts (take for example the dominance theory when it comes to dogs).

I think a lot of my issue is over thinking the issue, and I'm very good at hiding it when I'm nervous or I would have been eaten many years ago by some aggressive dog (since that's what I specialize in), but I've only been bitten 3 times in 17 years, 2 of which were dogs that wern't even client's of mine Go figure. With the leo, that childhood memory if the bitey anole stays stronger than any dog bite I ever sustained in my adulthood. I think it's the defense mechanisms that we establish in our childhood that are so much more deeply rooted into our brain than the ones we build as adults. Like even today I have a very unnatural fear of balloons from a balloon dart game my parents had on the boardwalk when I was growing up. I can't even open a can of biscuits with out jumping when it pops. My kids find that VERY amusing.

 

[Pokersnake]

Yeah... something must have happened to me when I was young. I can barely stand on ladders or chairs. It's tense. Spiders too. I blame the movie IT.

 

[Dog Shrink]

Hahaha I hear ya there on the spider tip... I'mn not a big fan of spiders, altho if they're in the basement they're allowed to stay but if they get into the main part of the house I call the 14 yr old to take care of 'em. He's a trap and release kinda guy and has never had a fear of bugs. I remember a movie I saw when I was like 10-12 called Damnation Alley and it had giant mutant roaches, they still skeeze me out.

 

[ddkgeckos]

even if it does bite you it dont hurt, i have been bitten once when seperating two males(dont ask massive cock up at pet shop) anyway it was a pretty verocious bite but it really did not hurt.Just pick it up it will wriggle if it feels it can get away so you need to firm and swift when doing it. You will get used to it just dont panic.

 

[M_surinamensis]

He doesn't eat them out of the tweezers but waits until I have moved away then strikes but I use a small pair so eh can see my hand and the tweezers but I don't smell like food, and hopefully I'm associated with being the bringer of all things good. Surinamensis is likely rolling his eyes right about now .

Food is one of the few things that can cause a reptile to recognize a pattern. Association with enclosure openings, seeing tongs, being in a feeding bin- the behaviors will adapt, although it takes significantly longer than it does with mammals or birds and the degree to which any individual species can form these associations is pretty variable. The more active the species is in looking for food the better they pick up on things like that, as a rule of thumb that can have individual exceptions.

The abstract bit about you being the bringer of all things good... eh... Maybe a little eye rolling. Just a bit. Small amount, in an affable kind of way.

 

[Dog Shrink]

Food is one of the few things that can cause a reptile to recognize a pattern. Association with enclosure openings, seeing tongs, being in a feeding bin- the behaviors will adapt, although it takes significantly longer than it does with mammals or birds and the degree to which any individual species can form these associations is pretty variable. The more active the species is in looking for food the better they pick up on things like that, as a rule of thumb that can have individual exceptions.

The abstract bit about you being the bringer of all things good... eh... Maybe a little eye rolling. Just a bit. Small amount, in an affable kind of way.

Awww thanks for the semi reassurance I think he has a bit of a clue as when he does hear me start to dismantle his top and hears the foil crinkle he pokes his head out of his hide to see what's going on. It's nice to see him start to recognize patterns and have that response whether they're about food or just curious about what's going on in his world. Do you think that leos can develop a more territorial response if fed in their enclosure or would a feeding bin be better?

 

[M_surinamensis]

Do you think that leos can develop a more territorial response if fed in their enclosure or would a feeding bin be better?

In the enclosure should be fine, it can be more of an issue with ambush predators or species that are particularly aggressive predators but even there it's... not really anything to worry about, very easy to anticipate and manipulate.

Honestly, what I think you need is to just get bitten as badly as a leopard gecko can possibly bite a human being, after which point you'll never consider it to be a worry ever again. I know you can intellectually understand that it is a tiny, weak little bite from a lizard with teeth like grains of sand that won't hurt but after it actually happens you'll be much more relaxed about the whole thing.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Well Kel, my sweetest girl, Lisa, bit me today. A first from her She was a display mommie at the show this weekend and not happy being out of her warm cozy home. I've had her at a show for a day before, carried her around to visit, and she loved it. Two days was too much for her It didn't hurt a bit but the behavior surprised me. Go ahead and get bit, get it done and over with. Then you'll be fine with it

 

[Dog Shrink]

Aw geeze Laney... Y'all gotta stop wishing the bite thing on me to just get it over with like it's some right of passage Sorry to hear that she tagged you, but glad it didn't hurt. I'm sure it's not your first bite tho right? Just first from her? Bet she's glad to be home.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

It is a right of passage Yes, I've been bitten plenty, but mostly from baby hondurans. Apparently they love my flavor This is first from Lisa. She sure was glad to be back home! Oh and BTW, I had previously asked another breeder about a male baby diablo for my juv girl. He still had eggs at that time but he brought me one yesterday. So I'm hanging my head with shame that I did end up with a new one. You were right. He's only one I've been looking for, and didn't expect to find one this year.

 

[T-ReXx]

You need a tokay gecko. After that, you will eat leo bites for breakfast.

 

[Dog Shrink]

It is a right of passage Yes, I've been bitten plenty, but mostly from baby hondurans. Apparently they love my flavor This is first from Lisa. She sure was glad to be back home! Oh and BTW, I had previously asked another breeder about a male baby diablo for my juv girl. He still had eggs at that time but he brought me one yesterday. So I'm hanging my head with shame that I did end up with a new one. You were right. He's only one I've been looking for, and didn't expect to find one this year.

HA I KNEW it... I knew you'd come back with something But a diablo... I'd have snagged it up too if I were you.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

If it hadn't been THAT one, I would have come home with no new animals. I've been looking for him for 6mos, everyone had girls. We are lucky to have so many shows within a few hours drive, and vend at most of them, so I would rather buy 'local' and support fellow vendors who have some really nice stuff. My girl came from Rekowski Reptiles, one of our forum sponsors. I've gotten several from him and he's always given me a great deal.

 

[Dog Shrink]

I hear ya. If I were in any type of place that offered well bred private collection Leos I would absolutely prefer to support locally BUT since that isn't the case for me... I think I picked a good breeder and had mine shipped. I'm glad you finally got the one you were wanting for so long. Must make you all excited thinking about next years projects

 

[Pokersnake]

You need a tokay gecko. After that, you will eat leo bites for breakfast.

I was just thinking that. I hear Tokays bite for sport. But they're sooooo pretty. maybe some day I'll get one.