Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[DarrenGecko]

Ive had my crestie for about 3 weeks now.

Over this time I have tried to hold my crestie afew times and he/she does not want to be held.

I would not say they are scared of me because they will let me near to them.

But as soon as I touch them they will move away from me or back off slowly.

Id hoped that I would be able to handle my crestie and Im looking for some help on this one.

Does anyone have any suggestion I could try that might make my crestie happier to come out?

I could just be that Im scared to hurt him/her and its me that is not being assertive enough in getting them out.

What are peoples comments or suggestions on this?

Thank you,

Darren

[DarrenGecko]

Oh yeah also ever since Ive had my crestie I have been feeding them food off a stick, even my finger a couple of times to try and get them more tame.

This is very successful and the gecko has no problems doing this.

[Phil1988]

To be honest I don't think they will ever be tame as in they will come running up to be held. I think they tolerate handling after a while but will always try and get away if they have the chance.

But if you are really determined then I would say yeah hand feed and maybe you could lure the crestie onto the palm of your hand when you are feeding. Make it follow the food onto your hand or something.
Then let it sit on your hand the first few times and then maybe if it lets you do that try raising your hand a little bit every time. Until eventually there's no problem.
Slowly does it.

Alternatively if you aren't planning on trying to handle them all the time then I wouldn't worry about it too much if yours tolerates a bit of handling.

[Xx_JoJo_xX]

My two cresties are very tolerant of being handled.. especially Spud!
Erm.. they don't exactly come running when I go into the tank. I usually pick them up by putting my fingers under their chin and then lifting up, then their natural reaction is to crawl onto my hand (usually ).

Look at it from the gecko's point of view.. if they see a big hand coming into the tank then they're going to be a bit wary..obviously you don't want to just snatch them up and scare them but like you said, be a little bit assertive.. its not the most natural thing in the world to be handled by another animal, lol.

Maybe handle them for short bursts to start with.. hand feeding them is a good technique, get them used to you.. but yeah.. be a little more assertive perhaps..

Good luck!!
_________________

[Exalted Gecko]

The general advide given already is sound, I would add that I have had crestie's that would sit still and be picked up (adults) and others that would always attempt to get away but would quite happily explore my hands etc after the initial 'run away' instinct had settled.

However crestie's in general, like most reptiles aren't to find of handling and tolerate it rather than enjoy it. To be honest out of the geckos I've had only leo's were generally found to be 'tame' when they were adults and used to the handling.

Sorry to ramble!
_________________
Kind Regards,

Chris

[Geordiegirl]

I tend to find that most of my geckos have that initial 'flight' response but once they are out of their tank they are pretty happy to be handled.They also usually let me know when they are ready to go back into their tank as they will begin to become restless.
_________________

[DarrenGecko]

Cheers for the advice people.

Maybe Ill just keep trying using the advice you have given me.

Sounds like Ive not got anything to worry about and I just need to be a little less scared of hurting my crestie.

Ive had leos in the past and they used to scratch at the glass to come out, so maybe Im expecting that or something...

Thanks,

Darren

[ben_gecko]

i really wouldnt worry about hurting them, im not saying theyre made of iron or anyhting, but they really arent THAT delicate, obviously some care is needed not to stress them or anyhting, i never ever grab mine, just do the ol' finger under the chin jobby and they climb on themselves, if they feel they have got there themselves they seem less desperate to get away yaknow, let em feel theyre in control and theyl happily walk around on your hands/shoulders etc. try the ol food in the palm of the hand, worked for one of my seemingly un-tame females who now is the most tame.
_________________
[3.2.6 R.Ciliatus|1.4.7 R.Auriculatus
|1.0 R.Leachianus
[1.1 O.Monilis|1.0 Rhampoleon Brevicaudatus