Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

Emz118 · I've settled in... Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 44

Hey guys

Basically, our crestie who we've had for about 6 months is totally manic and not tame at all!!

You open the viv and he stares at you, go anywhere near him and he jumps and runs to get as far away as possible!

How can we get him used to being handled? Or can we?

Thanks in advance!

Emma xXx

baloo · Key Member Joined: 21 Dec 2004 Posts: 228

no idea what to sugest
2 of mine are jumpy but i handle everyday and they are getting calmer.
if urs is so manic handeling may stress him
have you thought of getting him or her a mate.
does he have places to hide?
my vivs are set up so they can hide between the plants which makes them feel secure
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ULI

Emz118 · I've settled in... Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 44

We have considered getting him a mate, but he's not fully grown yet and we'd like to get an unrelated female, so we'll probably wait til the shows next year now.

His viv has lots of hiding places in live and plastic plants. We are going to add some more, larger plants tomorrow when they're re-potted into clean soil.

When we first bought him he would hide in amongst and behind the plants, now he seems to enjoy sticking to the glass doors or sides of the viv.

Emma xXx

Scott W · Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2006 9:06 am Post subject:

Time & patientance are what you need to tame any reptile.

try to NOT grab him or reach in for him, instead try to get him to come to you. You good with hold food for two days then offer crickets from long tongs or baby food on your finger tips, if he shows no interest and is still scared then leave him alone and try again a few hours later. If he is still the same place some food near the front of the viv and leave him to eat over night, try this every few days etc. Don't let him go more than 2 days with no food though.
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Please DO NOT pm orders for reptiles, send email instead scott@captivebred.co.uk

Emz118 · I've settled in... Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 44

Thanks for that Scott...... He's on solely CGD at the moment, with fruit as treats, although he seems to turn his nose up at the fruit!!

I will try it on my fingers and see if he will come over, although usually he's on alert as soon as you slide the door, and if you go anywhere near him he runs like a loony!!

I wonder if maybe it's too late now..... we've had him for about 6 months, so maybe he will never be tame.

Thanks again guys!

Emma xXx

Scott W · Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 12:33 pm Post subject:

Hi Emma,
shouldn't be too late but may take a little longer.
good luck.
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Please DO NOT pm orders for reptiles, send email instead scott@captivebred.co.uk

Kat · Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 1:30 pm Post subject:

hey,

I have 2 cresties, a girl and a boy. The girl is very calm and will come over for baby food and tolerate handling, but the boy is very jumpy and goes a bit nuts if your hand goes near him. they have both been treated exactly the same way, but he seems to have a more neurotic personality. he is getting a bit better with patience. I put baby food on my finger and hold it near him after my hand has been in a viv a while and he has calmed down a bit. As soon as he reaches his head over and licks off the baby food i call it a day with him because it will end as a positive experience for him rather than trying him with another fingerfull straight away which might spook him. They have different personalities, some are more predisposed to getting used to handling, some just aren't.
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Kat

scottishdragon · Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 11:51 pm Post subject:

Food and feeding are always the best way of getting your pet to trust you and see you as a GOOD thing rather than something that will hurt him.

My male crestie Gomez is a real lovely boy and loves being fed out of a teaspoon.

I mix some fruit baby food with the powered crested Gecko Diet and feed him by taking him out of the viv and offering him a teaspoon of the food. He usually has half a teaspoon from me and I then put some in his wee bowl which he takes at his leasure.

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3 bearded dragons.
3 leoaprd geckos.
1 crested gecko.
1 pictus gecko.
2 veiled chameleons.
1 blue tongue skink
1 red tail boa.

Emz118 · I've settled in... Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 44

He's such a nightmare!!! He won't eat off your finger at all.... I sat for almost 10 mins with my hand their, and he gradually moved further and further away!!!

He wasn't fed on Weds or Thurs, but I tried on Friday, and nothing, so I ended up having to put his baby food in the viv instead.

Could he maybe not be hungry enough? Could we leave it any longer?

I might try the teaspoon and then progress to the hands!!!

Emma xXx