Crested Gecko, questions!

[Monkey]

I have heard so many different things, and read, so now I want more opinions from people with experience that I know I can truly trust. I finally got my life in order, my beardies new cage is coming in a couple of weeks and it's huge, it will be a beardie palace and when I was in the store ordering it, I saw my first crested gecko. And......... I fell in love with the 10 day old baby in my hand. He/she is very lovable, active but calm, alert, looking around, do the jumping but loves to eat the food of my fingers.

THey say to leave them alone that they can be stressed, but this one is active, moves around, I see her/him drink water off the leaves and she eats from my fingertips when I hold her in my hand. I do this twice a day and she also has her bowl in the tank. I have only had her for three days but she's calm she don't seem to mind she don't stress and she ate well from day one.

The guy in the store said that they are handraised by this guy that sells them the GEckos and that he is a great breeder and most hathcling from him are like this one. And she don't seem to mind at all, but then I read that you should leave them alone, etc.

If she's eating, drinking and not stressing, is it really bad to handfeed her like I am?

I mist her twice a day, feed her twice a day, she has the mossbark for floor, several branches and leaves to hide in. She hides some but she's very active and is exploring her cage. Did that already day one, she seems like she's happy.

How can I tell if she's stressed? I mean a beardie is easy to read, I have never had a crested before but lord I love her so!!

Any good thoughts and advices are welcome

 

[Starforce2]

I hear they tolerate limited handeling, but also that individuals vary. Just like who uses a water bowl and who doesn't.

 

[Kacymyree]

I believe i read something on the Repashy forums about something called throat pumping? I'm not sure about the technical term but its when you see their throat moving in and out very quickly. Breathing fast will show that they are stressed. When i got my frist crested i left her alone for a good week. Only bothering her with food, water, spraying. once they are settled i have nothing against handling.

 

[Starforce2]

that's what I observed. (throat thing)

 

[Monkey]

Well I have not seen that, I have studied the poor thing up close with my camera. Shes already a great photo model, as soon as I get internet back home again Ill post pictures. She's just a very chill lizard which is why I fell in love with her. She was just sitting on my hand, looking at me, walking around, just very outgoing Id say. Very nice specimen, can't wait to show her off *lol*

 

[ThyDemise]

some like it, some dont. if she seems calm (casual movement but not super slow-motion) and not stressed then keep on keepin on. but about the hand feeding, thats usually something i always do with new/young guys to make sure theyre getting food, but just dont overdo it to the point where they stop eating out of the dish and rely on you to feed them. that would be the only concern. sounds like everythings good tho, congrats and enjoy

 

[glitch_in_the_system]

When holding crested geckos that aren't really comfortable being held. Your best idea is to let them run to your other hand and then put that hand infront and let them run or jump to that hand. Creates a gecko treadmill of sorts. After a little bit they should calm down. Unlike a beardie, you shouldn't hold them for periods longer than 15 minutes generally. Check out http://forums.repashy.com and http://pangeareptile.com/forums for good gecko information.

 

[Starforce2]

Mine ususaly doesn't run when being held but does like to jump from one hand to the other. I held still too long yesterday and ended up with a gecko on my face.

 

[Monkey]

Thank you guys Mine is pretty calm she/he/it roams around on my hands and I let it back in the cage after a while. The reptile store owner however told me that they can take anything basically. I see now they are more sensitive than first thought. It is growing good though and eating normally, still tiny though. It is about 4 weeks now, cant wait til It grows bigger.

And I ahve to say the thought of gecko on the face made me laugh!!!!!

 

[Grimleo]

My crestie will turn VERY black, and his neck will "pump" very fast when he is pissed off at me. That's when I put him back in his home. When I first got him I limited his handling and after a few days I started holding him a little bit at a time. I could tell he didn't like it after a few minutes because all he wanted to do was get away from my fingers. NOW he will crawl onto my hand from his leafy home when I put my hand in his cage, and I can tell he wants to go back into his cage if he is walking towards my hand and sits on it, lol. He also likes to hang out on my nose if I bring him too close to my face(my nose is big, lol). I've only had him for a little over a month. xD

I think as long as you don't handle them or don't leave them alone when they look ticked off, they won't take it too hard. And just like any animal, it will just take a little time for them to get completely "used" to you. Though it sounds like your little guy doesn't mind you at all!