Picking up your Leopard Gecko is a quite a step in the taming process. You have to be sure that your gecko is ready for this step before you attempt it. If your gecko isn't ready, this could be a very dangerous task. Up until this point, your gecko should have been going through the normal taming process. You've held your hand out and let your gecko climb onto it. You've maybe enticed the gecko to climb onto your hand with food or gentle nudges. But picking up your gecko is a huge step forward.
Before you attempt to pick up the gecko, you should start getting it used to your touch. For a week or two, try gently touching the gecko’s body on the back or sides. Never ever touch the tail. Remember, we don’t want the gecko to drop its tail if startled. The first week, the gecko will probably run away. Once the gecko stops running away, you’re ready to try picking the gecko up.
To pick up the gecko, use you index and middle fingers on one side, and your thumb on the other. Gently brush the gecko to let it know that you are about to touch it. If it doesn’t run, gently squeeze from the sides and pick it up. Don’t go too high. Remember that the gecko still might jump. If it squirms or tries to jump, let it go. Try again another day. If it’s ok, then pick it up and put it in your open hand.
It’s still best to let your gecko climb onto your hand, but this is helpful if you don’t have the time to wait around. It might be helpful if you’re trying to clean the habitat and the gecko isn’t interested in climbing out. Just remember to be careful. You don’t want the gecko to be afraid of you. That will simply set your taming progress back a few weeks.
It’s been nearly 3 months since Artemis came to her new home. I’d have to say that the taming process is pretty much complete now that she allows us to pick her up. Artemis recognizes when anyone comes to the habitat to talk to her. She’ll come out of her cave and climb up on top to greet you. This is presumably because she’s hungry and expects food… but the point is that she does not fear people anymore.
As for an update on her diet, she has been feeding mainly on mealworms lately. She gets crickets now and then as a bit of a change from her regular diet. She is still a very healthy eater with a gigantic appetite. She’s completely healthy and everything is going great!
I want to try to post some more information on a topic here that we haven’t really discussed yet: Breeding. Look for some updates coming soon with more information on breeding. We’re also going to try to remember to get some new photos of Artemis up on here for everyone to see. This should all be coming within the next week or two.