Handling my leo

[geckogirl100]

I have had my leopard gecko for a couple of months now and i would like to start handling him. I have been putting my hand into his cage every other day so he can see it. He has attacked a few times and seems to get very lary!!! When he sees me come into the room, he stares at my hands and gets right up to the side of the cage, thinking im about to feed him. I dont know how i can get him to let me pick him up.. any ideas???

[Brandon28]

I'm not sure about anyone else's, but we never hold our leo. She doesn't bite or anything, but she gets ultra nervous and tries to jump out of our hands. She is better left in her cage. When we feed her, she gets a big grin on her face and that's all the attention she gives us. I'm curious as to what others will post on this subject. That's a good question.

[nomadbean]

You need to just grab him and hold him, until he calms down, do this for 15 minutes a day. I used to have a routine for feeding of tapping the cage for feeding with no handling, and I just grabbed them with no tapping when I wanted to hold them so they did not go into feeding mode. He may be a little squirmy and bite some in the beginning, just remember not to hold the tail, as it will fall off. Patience and a good grip are the keys. Good luck.
Trina
OMNIherp, LLC

[geckogirl100]

Yeah thanks but whenever i put my hand in and move it, he goes for it. How exactly do u grab him? he seems like the type of gecko to turn around and bite me!!!

[badkittyamy]

Different leos have different personalities just like pople, some are kind and sweet, Grissom will ride on my shoulder and is perfectly capable of being out of his cage for more than an hour in warm weather. From what I have seen and heard some leos are just not sociable and will never be able to be held calmy. I wouldn't grab him I think it would cause unecessary stress. If slow and steady doesn't work I might just resign myself to not handling that particular leo.

[nomadbean]

To grab him, one finger between front legs and head, rest of hand curled around body. Leos bites have never even broken my skin, but if he is REALLY skittish you can also try bribery with a delicious wax worm--the leo crack of today- out of your hand then in your palm, etc...
Trina
OMNIherp, LLC

[geckogirl100]

I'm not going to give up handling him, i have to do this!!!! LOL . I want to pick him up sooo badly but i still havent a clue on how to actually pick him up!!i don't really want to bribe him, that will only make him associate me with food. I want to just pick him up without him going for me. Should i put one hand in front or one hand behind im really not sure on how to do it.

[torrbail]

One of my leo's is pretty "non-social", but is getting better. My first leo is really sweet and relaxed, so the aggression I saw in my second was a little scary at first. He never tried to bite, but he would arch his back and hiss like a cat (very unnerving sound!). I don't usually try to touch them when I feed them, but usually before I feed them I'll hold them a little. With the aggressive one I picked him up with a dry wash cloth covering my hands the first few times-- he seemed a little more comfortable with it and didn't get as defensive. He's becoming accustomed now, but he's still more high strung than I'd like him to be.

Both of mine are too young to tell what gender they are -- I'm wondering if that may be part of the difference?

[badkittyamy]

probably young geckos HATE being handled half the time from what I've seen and have been known to be very hissy.

[Roofeo]

hey. i handle my leos loads. there all good and love coming out and sitting on me bed for a while. id say just gently pick him up. by putting your hand in he may think, attack or food. my newest leo get a lil nervous and if i put my hand him hed prob try and eat it, but if u just pick him up, he'll soon learn that you mean no harm.

[steph86]

My leos also LOVE to come out especially my female. They both love to hang out on the floor of my room. Its all gecko proof so they r able to just walk around and hang for awhile. I never heard of not handling them though. I mean they r a little skiddish at the beginning but after a while they get so use to u that they could care less.

[geckogirl100]

Thanks this is all great advice! Keep it coming!!!

[Sequence]

I rescued a pair of leos, unfortunately one of them was too far gone to save. The second one was terrified of people. After about 2 months of picking him up daily he finally learnt to stay calm in my hand. He still sometimes tries to escape when I pick him up though (after almost a year).

An important point to remember is that leopard geckos are a ground dwelling species, their spines aren't very flexible, so make sure you support the entire length of the body when you're holding him/her!

Good luck!

[illrevue]

Its not that difficult actually. I mean like a few have said, just reach in there and pick him up! My leo is so calm i never had that problem, he actually loves being held, just walks around my shoulders, or on the couch, sometimes he basks in the sun outside with me... try taming three carpet python yearlings :P

but seriously, i would show no fear, just be careful not to manhandle the little guy, just gently put your thumb and your index fingers behind their front armpits and just pick him up almost like a ferret.

good luck!
lue.

[geckogirl100]

THanks this is really good advice! Yesterday wen i picked him up, i decided 2 take him away from the cage just a little bit, becoz i am used 2 picking him up and holding him INSIDE the cage. he kept walking over and over my hands wen i put one in front of the other and i did that 4 about 5 minutes then let him walk back inot his cage! I think im slowly getting there!!!!
Keep the advice coming!