The best way to start taming your leopard gecko is by simply letting them get used to your presence. Sit near their enclosure and talk to them in a soft, soothing voice. Allow them to come up to you and sniff around.
Once they are comfortable with your presence, you can gently handle them. Start by cupping your hands around them and letting them walk onto your palms. Slowly lift them and allow them to explore your arms and body. If they seem comfortable, you can try moving them to different parts of your body, such as your shoulders or back.
1. Provide Two Hiding Spots And A Shedding Box
For the first few weeks after you bring your leopard gecko home, it will likely spend most of its time hiding. Make sure your pet has two hiding places available, one on the warm side of its enclosure and one on the cool side.
You’ll also need to set up a shedding box filled with a substrate that can hold moisture, such as vermiculite. Providing these basic needs will help make taming your leopard gecko simpler and less stressful for both of you.
2. Let the Leopard Gecko Acclimatize
When you first bring your pet home, it is important to give them time to adjust to its new environment. This can be a terrifying experience for them, and they will likely try to defend themselves. This said, avoid handling them for at least three weeks so that they can get used to the new habitat. During this time, you should also avoid loitering near the cage.
Sit and observe them from a distance instead. After a week, if they are active and able to see you in the evenings, you can begin approaching the tank a few times per day. However, do not handle or touch them during this time; provide food and change water as needed.
Start by placing the food bowl close to their hiding place to make them more comfortable. Each day, move it gradually farther away until they are used to your presence.
3. Leave Your Hand in the Tank
If you want to tame your leopard gecko, you’ll need to get them accustomed to your scent. The best way to do this is by slowly introducing your hand into their tank. Approach the front so they can see you, and make sure your hands move gently.
Do this for a few minutes daily, and gradually increase the distance between you and the gecko. If they start to run away or attack, take your hand out and try again later. Doing this may take a couple of days, but they may begin to respond positively sooner.
If it becomes difficult, try taking all the hides and shedding boxes out of the tank so that the gecko has nowhere to hide.
Don’t be surprised if they look the other way; give them time. They might try to lick and sniff your hand. Remember, not all leopard geckos are easy to tame, and some will take longer to become comfortable.
4. Stroke them Gently
To properly tame your leopard gecko, you must first gain their trust. One way to do this is by handling them gently and frequently. Start by stroke their back lightly with your finger. If they seem relaxed, you can then move on to picking them up.
Be sure to support their whole body and never grab them by the tail. With time and patience, your leopard gecko will become more comfortable with you and may even enjoy being handled.
5. Feed By Hand
As your leopard gecko becomes more accustomed to your presence, you can begin offering it food by hand. This is a good way to forge a closer bond with your pet and catalyze the taming process. Of course, this assumes that you feel safe handling the insects they consume.
Offer the insect to the gecko while holding it by the very tip. The gecko will immediately grasp it and start consuming it.
This helps them positively associate your fragrance with things it likes and needs – in this case, food! Leopard gecko bites typically cause little to no pain, but you are careful not to jerk your hand back when feeding, as the sudden move can startle them.
6. Pick Up and Handle Your Leopard Gecko
As your leopard gecko gets used to being around you, it’s time to start picking them up a little bit. Keep your hand(s) in front of them slowly and scoop below them to pick them up, supporting their weight. Don’t grab their tail; this can cause injury.
Give them a wider base to crawl on by using your second hand. They won’t appreciate it at first if you use your second hand to secure them by laying it over top of them. Once the gecko doesn’t struggle or try to flee, keep your hands low. Start with just a few minutes once every day, gradually increasing the time until they can do 15-20 minutes at once.
We advise against exceeding this time restriction because you never know when they’ll become so anxious that they drop their tails or try to flee. Start putting your second hand on their body gradually.
Feel free to take them somewhere and let them explore other parts of their surroundings once they’ve gotten acclimated to this. Keep an eye on them closely due to unexpected predators!
7. Hand Walking
By now, you should be getting the hang of handling your leopard gecko. If not, don’t worry–you’ll get there with time and patience. Another handling technique you can try is hands walking. This is an excellent way to handle your leopard gecko and allow it to explore its surroundings.
To encourage your gecko to move from one hand to the other, place your hands close together and keep them low to the ground. Move as quickly as a gecko would so that it can enjoy the sensation of exploring through climbing.
Exercise is beneficial for leopard geckos, so this is an excellent way to provide some enrichment for your pet. If your gecko begins to run, it may indicate that it is feeling fearful.
Pay attention to the reptile’s cues and body language so that you can adjust your handling accordingly. If your leopard gecko starts to run away from you, it may indicate that they’re afraid. With a little practice, you’ll be hand-walking your leo like a pro!
8. Exercise Patience
When you first leopard gecko, it is important to remember to be patient. Your new friend needs time to get used to you and their new environment. Give them a few days to settle in before handling or trying to interact with them.
Once they are more comfortable, you can begin to introduce yourself slowly. Start by offering your finger for them to sniff and getting them used to your scent. Then, you can try lightly petting their back while they walk past. With time and patience, your leopard gecko will learn to trust and enjoy your company!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to tame a leopard gecko?
When it comes to taming a leopard gecko, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Each leopard gecko is unique and will require a different taming procedure. However, it can take several weeks for a leopard gecko to become fully tame.
Some leopard geckos may be fully tame within the first few weeks, while others may take months to reach full tameness. If you make severe errors during the taming process, such as startling your leopard gecko or pushing it away, the process could take years.
How do I tame a baby leopard gecko?
Taming a baby Leo is easier, but you must first earn its trust. Start by offering it food from your fingers and slowly moving your hand closer to it.
Once the gecko becomes comfortable with you, you can begin picking it up and handling it gently. The more time you spend with your leopard gecko, the tamer it will become.
How do you handle a leopard gecko safely?
If you want to tame your leopard gecko, handling it safely and carefully is important. Put your hand slowly into the tank, away from the leopard gecko, if the tank doesn’t have front opening doors.
Don’t keep the leopard gecko in one place but let it move about on your hands. Start carefully lifting your leopard gecko a few inches off the ground after a few days of satisfactory handling, they will begin liking it.
