Question:I've had my leopard gecko for almost a week now, shes only a baby maybe a few weeks old. I want to begin hand taming her so that she can get used to my hand and letting me pick her up with out snapping or hissing at me. I want to be able to pick her up with no problems and have her get used to me. Does anyone have any tips or methods on how to go about this?
Answers:
I've dealt with many Leopard Geckos from hatchlings to adults. I've found the best way to tame a Leopard Gecko is time, patience, and confidence. The number one thing I've found with handling Leopard Geckos is they can sense fear. You have to be confident with the gecko and not be worried he/she is going to bite you(which rarely happens) or jump out of your hand.
The best method I've used to get them used to me is to put my hand in the enclosure, palm up. After all the hissing/snapping is done, they tend to go to the hand and start licking to sense what it is. From there, they will either walk onto your hand, or they will simply walk away. Either way, progress has been made.
When you are actually holding the gecko, try to keep the geckos head pointed in an upward direction. This is in case the gecko starts to walk/run on your hands it makes the gecko go "up hill." They are easier to control like that. another thing I do with geckos who have not been held a lot and are jumpy, is make your hands into a cave, they like that.
Hope this helps!
I would say that your best bet would to just pick him/her up for at least 15-30 min everyday until the gecko gets used to you. Remember that leopard geckos are not the type of pet that will WANT to be picked up, they will just tolerate it. You can also try asking people who work at your local pet store that know a thing or two about leopard geckos or buy a book about leo geckos, I know they will have some info in there. You can also search google (but I bet you have already tried that, but if not try it).
just keep working with her leopard geckos get used to being handled pretty quick and most don't mind it as long as your gentle with them the last thing you want to do is if they do bite you to immediately drop them this will only let them know that all they have to do is bite you to have you put them down . the most important thing is to move slow and be gentle at all times. until she gets used to being handled keep the handling sessions short.
Leopard geckos make such great pets! First off since the gecko is just a baby, any hissing and biting won't harm you. I would try to handle her everyday, and try to in the evening when shes naturally more active. If you have to handle her in the day try to the same time every day so she gets used to the schedule. Also try feeding her small meal worms as a treat in your hand. Over time with constant handling she should get tame and be a wonderful pet. Good Luck!
you can not tame a retile the only thing you can hope for is that it will not bite you or run off when you pick it up.
the best way to do this is to let it get cool so when you pick it up the heat from your hands feels good and it wants to stay were it nice and warm and over time it will get used to you holding it
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