[edthomas]

today i got my leopard gecko and it's a baby, i have a good sized tank and places for it to hide, a moist hide and water etc.. today my friend came round (who has had 3 leopard geckos for 9 months) he was holding him and since the gecko is quick and 'skittish' he jumped out of my friends hand and landed on my wooden floor. after putting him back in my tank i keep observing him and he seems to be moving ok, but there is one problem- i put my hand in to move him slightly and check on him and he moved his head really quickly and made a hissing sound at me.
I'm worried that he's really scared or something, does anyone have any advice they could give me on what to do next?

[Immy]

When we first got our leopard gecko, we were told that they were great reptiles to keep as they don't mind being handled now and again, so we were surprised when we tried to handle him that he immediately ran away and hid. For days we tried to handle him, but he was having none of it.

So we left him to settle for a few days, and now and again, we'd put our hand in, pressed against the calcium sand as though it was an ornament, and let him come to us. I found this to be the best way to build up a trust with a leopard gecko as eventually, their curiousity takes over and they will climb on to your hand and even lick you. I've read this method on several sites that suggest it but you must be patient.

Now, I am glad to say that he doesn't mind being handled at all now, although he does have his hyper skittish moments.

I hope this helps.

[geck312]

Yes, it's a sign of being frightened. They should be given time to adjust to their surroundings without being held to avoid stress.

[xKizzax]

When you get any reptile especially as babies you should ideally leave them for about a week to settle into their new surroundings, i got my first leo when she was about 3 months old and had already lost her tail, she was petrified of anything and everything and although she never hissed at me, you could see she was really frightened, but i was patient and eventually she came to me, but only me and to this day she will not go to anyone else, except she is starting to take an interest in my partner, its been a long process, i got my male from someone who stuffed him in a spare room and never bothered feeding him, and even though he had a bad past he is the friendliest most trusting little creature ive ever seen, such a character! he'll go to and sleep on anyone! the best way to tame them and gain their trust is just alot of patience, allow them to choose to come to you, dont just pluck them up, move slowly, and sit down somewhere so that if they do decide to skitter off and fall it wont be from a great height, patience is a virtue and so worth it :-) xx