Temperament of Leopard Geckos
With a 10- to 20-year life span and a friendly disposition, leopard geckos often become a first pet. Although juvenile geckos scamper quickly to hunt pinhead crickets and miniature mealworms, the pet becomes increasingly docile with time, attention and care. Children and adults alike favor leopard geckos, one of the most commonly kept reptile pets, according to the ReptileChannel.com.
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Features
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Leopard geckos act friendly, making them sociable reptile pets. Once the pet reaches 6 inches in length, it will respond to taming. With daily attention, leopard geckos learn to enjoy human handling and the pet will refrain from biting by 6 to 8 months of age, according to veterinarian Paul M. Gibbons.
Technique
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Taming the leopard gecko does not require lengthy training sessions. Begin holding the gecko inside his own cage, then move to a seated position with the gecko outside of the cage. Geckos easily sustain injuries when dropped. By sitting on the floor and allowing the gecko to wander over your hands and through your fingers it builds trust and a positive disposition. In as little as 15 minutes a day over the course of a week, the reptile owner should notice the gecko's temperament shift from nervous and flighty to calm and content, according to the ReptileChannel.com.
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Warning
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Use a gentle touch when handling a leopard gecko. The reptile has thin, delicate skin. Avoid wearing abrasive rings or bracelets when handling the pet. Try not to pinch or squeeze the gecko, according to VMS Professional Herpetoculture. The gecko may break off its tail if it feels threatened. After touching the leopard gecko, wash with antibacterial soap to prevent the spread of Salmonella bacteria.
Benefits
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The docile nature of leopard geckos make them a perfect pet for beginning reptile enthusiasts. Once the pet feels comfortable in its surroundings, a leopard gecko will move slowly, making it easy to catch and hold, according to Exotic Pet Vet. Geckos also give off beneficial warning signals, making it easy to know when to stop trying to socialize the pet. Slow, rhythmic tail wags while your hand rest inside the gecko's cage may indicate the gecko wants to bite, according to the Herp Center.
Considerations
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Nocturnal leopard geckos hide during the daytime. Allowing the reptile pet to sleep during the day keeps its temperament friendly. Handle the gecko late in the evening just after it wakes or early in the morning just before it goes to sleep.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit leopard gecko image by Ivan Polushkin from Fotolia.com
