Leopard geckos are more tolerant of human handling than most other reptiles, but this doesn’t mean they enjoy or look forward to it. Actually, they usually resist when you try to touch them for the first time. As for how long and often you should handle leos, a good rule of thumb is to handle them for about 10-15 minutes at a time for, at most, 2-3 times per week.
Let’s delve further into leopard gecko handling tolerance and frequency.
Is It Okay to Handle Leopard Geckos?
It is typically acceptable to handle your gecko so long as you do it with care. For example, handling leos when cleaning their tank and performing routine health checks is often necessary. Handling also helps tame a leopard gecko and make it friendly.
Leopard geckos are gentle reptiles that respond well to tender handling and can become very tame over time. However, you should avoid handling them too often or for an extended period, as this can make them feel stressed.
Always keep an eye on their behavior to avoid coercing your scaly friend into doing anything it doesn’t want to do.
Does My Leopard Gecko Like to Be Held?
Inherently, leopard geckos are not emotional or affectionate like human beings or pets like dogs and cats. For this reason, they don’t like to be handled. However, when in captivity, they can be socialized and tamed such that they won’t feel stressed or uncomfortable when you touch or hold them.
However, even if they don’t run away or display negative signs when you handle them, it doesn’t mean they will look forward to the handling in the next session. Therefore, it is essential to spend sufficient time getting to understand the unique personality and interests of your leo before trying to touch or bond with it.
While leopard geckos don’t like handling, the more you interact and socialize with them, the more they become comfortable around you and get used to being touched. However, it’s best practice to treat your leopard gecko with care and consideration. If it detests being petted or handled, give it time to relax and try again when it’s calm.
How Often And For What Duration Should I Handle My Leopard Gecko?
Every gecko is unique, and different leos may exhibit distinct personalities and characters. While some geckos can withstand human interaction, others will detest it at all costs. Therefore, you should not handle them more than 2-3 times a week and for not more than 10-15 minutes at a time.
Some say the owner should handle a gecko daily to “tame” it. However, this might be stressful to a leo since it is a solitary animal that requires alone time.
Even though you shouldn’t handle your gecko daily, baby geckos may need more handling than adults. This makes it much simpler to move them around while cleaning the terrarium or to do a health checkup
However, it doesn’t matter how old the leopard gecko is; the pet owner should never handle the reptile when it’s anxious or stressed. Instead, check for signs such as wriggling, clucking, restlessness, and flapping, as they are indicators of anxiety in geckos.
5 Tips For Handling Your Leopard Gecko
If you’re a new leopard gecko owner who is wondering how they can tame and forge a strong bond with your pet, here are some essential handling tips:
Start Early But Not Too Early
It’s advisable to wait up to 3 weeks after bringing your leo home before you start taming or handling it. This is because leopard geckos might become stressed when you handle them too soon.
Within three weeks, your leopard gecko will have the opportunity to acclimate to its new environment and get accustomed to its new surroundings.
You should only focus on ensuring that your scaly friend is adequately fed in the first two weeks. After the third week, you can start to approach the gecko cautiously. Usually, you should begin socializing with your gecko by trying to feed it by hand.
Patience Is Key
Besides giving your gecko sufficient time to acclimate to its new environment, you should not be alarmed or panic if it doesn’t want anything to do with you even after the third week.
As mentioned earlier, personality traits might also come to play. While some geckos will be ready to bond in the third week, others might need a month or more to ease up and get comfortable.
Therefore, don’t force issues if the leo seems distant for a few days. Just give it time to adjust instead of making it scared and stressed.
Also, remember that these reptiles are generally active at dusk and dawn and will spend the day sleeping or relaxing. Therefore, it’s better to leave them alone during the day.
Stay Calm And Confident As You Let Your Leo Get Accustomed To You
Because of your prominent size, your gecko will likely view you as a threat if you approach it too swiftly. Since most predators strike from above, you have a better chance of handling your pet successfully if you approach it from below.
Start by feeding your reptile friend by the hand, and then try to place your palm on the ground. As time passes, the gecko will realize that your hand is not a threat and might climb on it since it’s warm.
Remember to remain calm and confident when handling your gecko, as it may detect any signs of restlessness and anxiety.
For example, if you pick it up abruptly, place your hand, and withdraw it unexpectedly, it might get tensed and become protective.
Pick Up Your Leopard Gecko Properly
Generally, you should let the gecko hop onto your hand. Once comfortably perched on your palm, get your hand out of the cage and support the entire body with the other hand.
Maintain a solid grip to avoid slips but don’t exert too much pressure that may injure the gecko.
Once the leo gets used to climbing on your arm, you can make it move along the hand, climb over your shoulder, and more. But since leos are not great climbers, ensure they are not too far from the ground.
If you train your gecko to trust you and be ready for handling, it will ease up, and it won’t mind even sleeping on your thigh or palm.
Never Hold Your Leopard Gecko By Its Tail
If you’re conversant with leos, you know they usually drop off the tail when threatened. So, if you grab or hold a gecko by its tail, it might drop it and scamper to safety.
While they usually regrow the tail, it will take months, and they’ll have to survive without it during this period.
Conversely, the new tail will not be as long or as straight as the original tail. Although autotomy is relatively painless, the animal will need extra nutrients and energy to grow a new tail.
FAQS About Leopard Gecko Handling
At What Age Should I Start Handling My Bearded Dragon?
Experts recommend taming and training your leopard gecko to socialize as young as possible so they can learn to acclimate to handling. However, you must wait until the leo is over two months old. Additionally, wait at least 2-3 weeks after bringing it home for it to familiarize itself with the new environment.
How Will I Know If My Gecko Doesn’t Want To Be Handled?
If a leo is threatened by your approach, leave alone the touch, it will wag its tail, chirp, or scream. If you try to touch your leo and it reacts aggressively by arching its back, wagging its tail, or trying to bite you, this indicates that they don’t want anything to do with you. So, you should leave it alone to cool off and try handling it again another time.
When Is The Best Time To Socialize And Interact With My Leopard Gecko?
Leopard geckos don’t have a problem being handled anytime during the day. However, since they are crepuscular, handling them during the day means you’ll have to interfere with their sleep. Expert herpetologists and vets recommend handling leos early in the morning or evening before you serve them food.