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 #2097773


Hickchick
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 Grek the Gecko

Was just wondering how i tame him, he dosent want to be touched. I dont know how old he is. My brother in law has had him for about a year, and got him from another person.....

And about the tail, i assume when i start to handle him he may drop it... how many times can they, and what can i do so he wont?





( i know the cage is dirty, i just got him an hour ago....)
11/22/09  05:42pm

 #2097784


Ammeratsu
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   Message To: Hickchick   In reference to Message Id: 2097773


 Grek the Gecko

Since you’re new to LGs, I highly recommed to take him off that black sand. Loose substrate can be very bad for LGs, as they live on solid rock in the wild and if they swallow some sand/other loose substrate, their bodies aren’t built to filture it out. Therefor, it can create a blockage in their intestines called an impaction. very experienced keepers that have their husbandry spot on can get away with it with little to no risks(if precautions are taken), but for beginners I always recommend keeping them on a solid substrate. Some suggestions are (For a more natural look) Tile, linoleum, or slate. For a more artificial look, try paper towels, shelf-liner, printer paper, etc.

Anyways, now for your question. To "tame"an LG is very simple. Personally, I just handle them every day for a few minutes and over time they calm down just fine. All of mine are handlable by this method.

But, some people like to take it slow. if you want to do the slow method, put your hand in the tank and don’t move it. Leave it there for a few minutes every day for a few days. Than, put your hand near him and leave it there for a few minutes every day for a few days. Than you can try to gently scoop him up and just let hold him a fe inches abovet he ground. Once he’s fine with this, you can take him from his cage and handle him outside of it.

I personally think it’s simpler and much faster to just handle them every day and let them fight. Just make sure you get arond their midsection s you don’t hurt them. If you choose my way, than don’t restrict their movement. Pick him up by his medsection and them shift your hand so he is stading on your palm. Make sure to be ready if he tries to run off your hand, and do this in a sitting position so f he does fall he won’t get hurt.

As for not dropping his tail, just don’t touch it. At all. Until he’s okay with being handled, don’t touch his tail. They can drop their tails as many times as they need to. All of mine are handleable to the point where I can pick them up by the tail(gripping gently) and they tolerate his just fine.

Are you aware of all the calcium supplementation you need for him?
11/22/09  06:16pm

 #2097797


Hickchick
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   Message To: Ammeratsu   In reference to Message Id: 2097784


 Grek the Gecko

He has been on sand sice the first guy got him... i dont like it personaly, but he seems to do fine it. I have all the supplements..... I traded my frilled dragon for him, so im pretty set on everything...
11/22/09  06:52pm

 #2097803


Ammeratsu
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   Message To: Hickchick   In reference to Message Id: 2097797


 Grek the Gecko

Yeah, but things happen. Sometimes it’s fine, sometimes it’s not. I’m just warning you that sand is a risk. In the end, it’s your choice. I personally think solid substrate is all around easier. It’s easy to clean, and doesn’t retain smell like sand.

Your choice.
11/22/09  07:24pm

 #2097824


Zeek2493
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   Message To: Ammeratsu   In reference to Message Id: 2097803


 Grek the Gecko

Its unnatural, unsafe, unsanitary, and expensive (vet bills, etc) to keep a leopard gecko on loose substrate. End of story.
11/22/09  08:43pm

 #2097841


C3_4_quad
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   Message To: Hickchick   In reference to Message Id: 2097773


 Grek the Gecko

Definitely a nice leopard gecko. And as everyone else has stated it would definitely much better on something solid the previous owner that had my leopard geckos were not doing so well and now I have them on the paper towels and the absolutely love it they love to drag their body on the surface. And it’s funny because there has been a few instances where my leopard gecko hides under the paper towels and sticks her head out. Plus even if the leopard gecko has been on that sand it’s much safer. Even though people say it’s clean sand or clean soil you never know how much bacteria there is in its until you actually put it under the microscope and trust me there’s a bunch that we cant see with the naked eye. Definitely look forward to hearing some new updates on your leopard gecko
11/22/09  10:25pm

 #2097865


Americanchld
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   Message To: C3_4_quad   In reference to Message Id: 2097841


 Grek the Gecko

Again I wanted to put my 2 cents in.

When trying to tame him, either way you do it, don’t put him down if he fights you or tries to run away. Also don’t get scared, he can’t hurt you and he is more scared of you.
If you put him down when he "throws a fit" you will only be reinforcing the behavior of not wanting to be handled. He figures if I fight I get left alone, when he is calm from you holding him would be a good time to put him down.



11/23/09  12:12am

 #2097953


Hickchick
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   Message To: Americanchld   In reference to Message Id: 2097865


 Grek the Gecko

Thank you for all your comments. I have noticed that the sand does smell awfle actually, so i will be changing that out. And ty for the taming tips....Can they bite? Has anyone ever been nitten by one lol?

I will post again soon :)



11/23/09  11:21am

 #2097986


Snakesgalore
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   Message To: Hickchick   In reference to Message Id: 2097953


 Grek the Gecko

yes geckos can bite but wont hurt its more of a shock factor then anything
11/23/09  01:44pm

 #2098014


BlackDogg
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   Message To: Snakesgalore   In reference to Message Id: 2097986


 Grek the Gecko

the way i trained my bearded dragon was i got tweesers and got a cricket and fed it to him and i did this day after day for like 5 minutes now he is so nice so try feeding him when u pick him up to teach him ur safe and not going to hurt him because he probably thinks ur a threat
11/23/09  04:24pm

 #2098050


Hickchick
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   Message To: BlackDogg   In reference to Message Id: 2098014


 Grek the Gecko

Okay, i have grek off the sand, right now, he is just on paper.....Waht about other substrate. like coco fiber, or bed a beast....



11/23/09  05:52pm

 #2098055


Hickchick
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   Message To: Hickchick   In reference to Message Id: 2098050


 Grek the Gecko

Do LG need a uvb bulb?
11/23/09  05:59pm

 #2098069


Snakesgalore
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   Message To: Hickchick   In reference to Message Id: 2098055


 Grek the Gecko

lgs are nocturnal so they dont need uvb as substarate people like different things many say that anything lose will or can cause impaction so to save argument can leave it up to you
11/23/09  06:26pm

 #2098103


Zeek2493
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   Message To: Snakesgalore   In reference to Message Id: 2098069


 Grek the Gecko

A Leopard gecko should not be on any substrate that is loose. Try tile, papertowel, repticarpet, slate, etc. The coco fiber and bed-a-beast are both loose substrates, so they have the same risks as sand.
11/23/09  07:49pm

 #2098154


Ammeratsu
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   Message To: Zeek2493   In reference to Message Id: 2098103


 Grek the Gecko

I’d say more risk, actually. When wet, cocofiber and bed-a-beast retain moisture and humidity, whch causes respiritory infections in LGs, When dry, it’s the dustiest thing in the world, which can also give your LG a respiritory infection.

And they can and do bite, but it’s no big deal. I usually get bit when I look them over very carefully and thoroughly(looking for anything abnormal. Wounds inside the mouth, injuries, stuck shed, etc.) and it’s never broken skin and never hurt anyworse than putting a clothesline clip on your finger. It kinda gives you a bit of a fright and shock factor, but it doesn’t hurt.
11/23/09  11:06pm

 #2098209


RubberDuckey273
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   Message To: Ammeratsu   In reference to Message Id: 2098154


 Grek the Gecko

I agree, you don’t want any substrate that is going to retain moisture for your leo. If you’re looking for a substrate that looks better than paper towels and reptile carpet, I suggest tile. Its easy to clean, cheap, and you only have to buy it once, unlike those commercial reptile substrates. Also, you never have to run the risk of impaction. leopard geckos are pretty clumsy about catching food, and when i housed mine on sand at one point i have seen them get a nice mouthful. there’s really no reason to take chances with the life of an animal just to keep them on something as stinky and bacteria filled as sand, so its good you changed it out.

I’ve been bitten by my LG’s, and yea, its no big deal. the larger males can leave a nice little mark though. you really don’t have to worry about him losing his tail. they’re not too quick to drop them like some lizards and geckos. i’ve personally never had one drop a tail, but i do know it happens.

to get him accustomed to you you can hand feed him with a pair of tweezers. this will help him get accustomed to your hand being in the cage. then i start placing my hand in the cage for a few minutes at a time, and slowly work my way to trying to pet them (over the course of days). eventually ill pick them up, but dont worry if they’re still skittish. only hold them for about 5 minutes at a time at first. eventually you can work your way up. i usually give them at least a week, sometimes 2, before i start trying to hold them. that gives them a chance to settle from the change and you don’t put too many stresses on them at once. just take it day by day.

congrats on your new gecko!
11/24/09  03:29am

 #2098757


Hickchick
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   Message To: RubberDuckey273   In reference to Message Id: 2098209


 Grek the Gecko

Thank you for all your advise, its really helping. Grek is now letting me pet his back, so i have made some progress... He has an UTH.... i dont know alot about these since i used heat rocks years ago with my iggy’s. It dosent seem warm to the touch... Are they all like that or is this one dead?



11/25/09  12:02pm

 #2098767


Ammeratsu
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   Message To: Hickchick   In reference to Message Id: 2098757


 Grek the Gecko

It sounds like that one is dead. UTHs should be warm to the touch, and so should the area they’re heating.
11/25/09  12:16pm

 #2098900


Hickchick
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   Message To: Ammeratsu   In reference to Message Id: 2098767


 Grek the Gecko

Do you have to have half the tank heated with the UTH or just under a hide? Grek let me pick him up today, about 2 inches from his tank floor, no fuss, no fighting....Awesome !!! Thank you for your help everyone.....
11/25/09  06:37pm

 #2098906


Ammeratsu
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   Message To: Hickchick   In reference to Message Id: 2098900


 Grek the Gecko

You can just put the UTH under a hide.
11/25/09  07:02pm

 #2099000


RubberDuckey273
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   Message To: Ammeratsu   In reference to Message Id: 2098906


 Grek the Gecko

it also kind of depends on the size of the UTH. i’ve noticed the really tiny 3X4 inch ones dont heat a large tank very well. i like to have my UTH covering at least 1/3 of the tank floor, with one of the hides above it.

another reason tile is such a great substrate choice is that i’ve found it creates a really nice heat gradient on the floor.
11/26/09  12:20am


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