To handle your leopard gecko successfully, you will need to know how to handle it correctly to prevent falls, injuries and scaring your gecko. In this post, we will discuss how to handle a leopard gecko correctly, how often to handle leopard geckos, and if they like handling at all.
When can you start handling your leopard gecko?
After you bring your leopard gecko home and give it time for acclimatization, you can start taming it. Only after successfully taming your leopard gecko, you can start regular handling sessions.
You can generally start handling your leopard gecko 3-4 weeks after bring it home. Don’t rush and give it time to get used to you, or you will need to start the taming process over again.
Do leopard geckos like being handled?
Generally, leopard geckos are not excited about handling. But if you tame your leopard gecko and it starts trusting you, it will tolerate handling sessions well.
You will always need to be slow and gentle when handling your leopard gecko, otherwise it can stop trusting you. Some leopard geckos never become fully tolerant of handling, especially those with a bad past.
Don’t handle your leopard gecko unless necessary, until it turns 3-4 months old or 5-6 inches. This is because babies tend to be moody, and their bodies are fragile and they are more likely to drop the tail.
How often and how long can you handle your leopard gecko for?
With new leopard geckos, start with 5 minute handling sessions, once in three days. With every 5-6 days, add a minute and be patient.
After taming your leopard gecko, it’s not recommended to handle it more than every other day, not longer than 20 minutes per day. With time, you can increase it to maximum 30 minutes with good house heating.
Otherwise, longer handling sessions can stress your leopard gecko. You can even limit handling sessions to only when you are cleaning the tank.
If you are handling for a prolonged time, make sure to keep your leopard gecko warm. Leopard geckos are cold-blooded, so you will need surrounding temperature of around 77-82 (25-27.7 C) degrees when handling.
When can I handle my leopard gecko?
The best time to handle your leopard gecko is before a meal, during the day (will be less skittish, but don’t wake it up) or some time after it wakes up in the evening (they are crepuscular and come out during the dusk, twilight and dawn).
Don’t handle your leopard gecko after a meal – it needs to digest food by laying flat at higher temperatures – around 90 degrees F (32 C). Otherwise, it might regurgitate food and not digest it properly. It is better to handle your leopard gecko before food so it associates you with a positive experience.
Different handling techniques
Handling techniques will differ for new and tame leopard geckos. If your leopard gecko is new, you will need to use a method where you will gently welcome your leopard gecko on your palm.
With time, handling your leopard gecko will be easier, but the correct technique should always be used.
How do you handle a new leopard gecko?
The correct way to handle a new and shy leopard gecko is to place your hand low on the tank floor, and wait. If you have a terrarium with front opening doors, insert your hand inside slowly from the bottom.
But if you can only access the tank from the top, make sure to insert the hand from the far side and lower it on the side, too. Never place your hand on top of your gecko, as it will cause a defensive behavior.
Approach your leopard gecko’s tank slowly, and make sure it can see you and your hand. Speak in a soft voice and slowly slide your fingers under its legs.
Don’t actually hold your leopard gecko for the first 3 weeks, just let it see, smell and lick your palm. You can start hand feeding your leopard gecko, or using feeding tongs, such as these long ones, during the second week.
Also, don’t touch it for the first week of handling, and only start with small touches during the week 4. It’s also a good idea to avoid handling when your leopard gecko is shedding, as it can be quite moody.
How do you handle a leopard gecko correctly?
To handle your leopard gecko correctly, pick it up with your hand. Hold it in a cupped palm with leopard gecko’s head pointing towards the top of your index and thumb fingers.
With more jumpy leopard geckos, keep your index and thumb fingers slightly pressed together, but make sure its head can pass freely. When holding your leopard gecko in hands, supports its legs, back and tail.
You should also let your leopard gecko walk on your hands, as it will keep it occupied and relaxed. Your leopard gecko is also less likely to jump if you let it walk on your hands.
To change hands, place your hand with palm upwards in front of your gecko so it can walk freely. Keep changing hands and if your leopard gecko wants to escape, shut the fingers gently.
You can let your leopard gecko walk on your legs and your shoulders when you become confident. It is always a good idea to sit on the couch or the floor to prevent any injuries to your leopard gecko.
Remember, most leopard geckos are not scared of heights and can jump, but will get very injured if fallen.
Leopard gecko behaviors when handling
If your leopard gecko is not happy with your handling it, it will show you that. When a leopard gecko is unhappy about you approaching, let alone handling it, it will scream, chirp and will wag its tail from side to side, often lifting its tail up.
It can also arch its back while wagging the tail from side to side. If your leopard gecko is chirping, it means that it’s scared or uncomfortable. It is better not to handle your leopard gecko and try later.
If your leopard gecko bites you when are you are handling it, don’t get scared or put it back in the enclosure straight away. This way your leopard gecko will get used to biting you when you are handling it.
Instead, keep handling your leopard gecko for few extra minutes, and then return it back in the tank.
Your leopard gecko can be unhappy about handling for its whole lifetime. But most become docile and tame with patience and handling sessions. Some leopard geckos become very tame and sit on owner’s shoulders and relax in their arms.
Thank you for reading this article. Make sure to read a post about taming your new or older leopard gecko.
You can also read about preventing leopard gecko bites (if you are having any issues with that) in this post.