MY Leo Gecko

[Nero]

He just wont tame up at all. I try to work with when I get off work at night. He's still scared of me and just runs. Sometimes he wont even eat. Its making a little concerned i have the warm side at 90-95 and the cool side is between 78-82.

 

[CaseyUndead]

How old is he? Does he just run, or does he try to bite or anything? If he just hides, he's probably just shy. One of my Leos gets easily spooked, and darts into one of his hide boxes when i open the top of his cage a lot of the time. but if i keep my hand in there and move really slowly, he'll come back out. Maybe if you leave him alone without handling him for a couple days, he'll calm down a little. Trying to handle them too much can stress them out.. so every day might be a little much. They can get really tame, but i still wouldn't take 'em out all the time like with a tegu.

Here's an idea... I usually keep my hands in there while i'm feeding my geckos. They usually seem uninterested if i just put a bowl of mealies in there(and it's mealies, because the spoiled things will rarely accept crickets!), so i usually use tweezers to put them in front of them one at a time. Even though i only really started doing this regularly because this is what they seem to prefer, i think it kind of keeps them used to my hands reaching in the cage. So, when i reach in, they don't see it as a threat.. since when they're out and eating, my hand is always in there. Maybe this could work as a way to get him used to you? Just an idea, really. or just try to pick him up sometime when he comes out to eat.

And, how often are you feeding him? if he's a adult and you're feeding every day, that might be why he won't eat sometimes.. adults really don't need food every day, and sometimes just aren't hungry. As long as he isn't looking thin, and he has a normal plump tail, i wouldn't worry too much.

Anyway.. whatever you do, it takes some time. The longer you have him, the more he'll get used to the things you do. Mine have even learned to sort of recognize food-time. When i sit on my bed and start digging around in the mealworm container, both lizards will usually come out of their hiding places if they're hungry and watch me. it used to take awhile to get them to come out for food. New animals being scared is perfectly normal.. i wouldn't worry. You say you've got a Columbian Tegu.. and, well, i think taming a Leo will be much easier than that, hehe.

 

[Nero]

Hes only about 6 months right right. I think he might be a tangerine. Ill have to get some pics on it. Hes really beautiful. One time I think i over fed him meal worms. He hate like 8 of them and puked them up. He wont take crickets to often though. Hes got a nice plump tail. When I saw that he regurgitated his food i was a little worried. I feed I try to feed him everyday but sometimes will go a day without eating sometimes 2. Thanks for the info

 

[Nero]

WOOOT 100th post I RULE!!!!!!!!

 

[EdwardtheTegu]

I know its been a while but hers my two cents....
My leo was completely wild when I got her, and was about a year old so it was harder to get her to trust me. If I had the time, I would just stay by her tank so she could get used to me (usually she just hid) and would take her out almost everyday. She would squirm and jump, so I would let her down on my bed and just watch her. Eventually, she got used to my company and started to struggle less and less. Now she climbs onto my hand, and will sit on my shoulder for hours!

IMPORTANT (since your leo is most definitely tame by now): As for the mealworms, be very careful. They are very high and fat and should be given as a treat only a few times a week. I accidently killed my first leopard gecko because I was told the mealies were fine (and definitely easier than crickets) and he became obese and lethargic and passed away. I feed my current leo crickets as her staple diet, and the occasional mealworm as a treat, which she loves. She is very active and healthy, and I can see the difference!!! Variety is always best!