My new leopard gecko is very scared of me and will not Allow me to pick her up. I've had her for a couple weeks and don't understand why? My Fat-tailed gecko is very relaxed is this normal?

How old is your leo? I've read that juvies often start out skittery. I ahve not dealt with this myself, but advice I have read is to leave them along for a while to get acclimated, and don't even try to touch them. Follow this by just placing your hand in the tank and leaving it there for a minute or so on a daily basis (like when you feed them -- you could try hand-feeding, or maybe start with tong-feeding). Keep on trying, and let them begin to associate your hand with the presence of food and with the absence of threat. Always move slowly and gently, and don't just try to scoop them up from above. Remember, to them, you're much like a big 'ol predator swooping down from the sky! Put your hand in front of your leo and let it lick you and then climb onto your hand when it's ready (this is after however long it takes to get the leo to tolerate your hand being there).

I'm sure someone more experienced will offer better advice, but this is what I have read. Just be patient. You are excited and you know what kind of relationship you want with the little critter, but from the leo's perspective, everything looks scary, and it will take time to build trust.

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Amy

a couple of weeks isn't very long...the first week I left mine completely alone and then I put my hand in the cage every day for a week around the gecko but didn't touch it and then I started to pet it's head until it stoped freaking out and eventually got it to climbing on my hand...you just have to really really be patient.

okay well the geckos under a year old but he runs right when I enter the room the I haven't tried many of the ideas out. trust me I'd love for me and my gecko to be buds!

I had a Leo a few years back and I had the SAME problem, he was just as skiddish. Just do what was mentioned earlier and always move slowly make sure he knows you are there and you are not a threat. Even try talking to him when you come into the room. just make sure to be calm and dont get frusterated, i know it can get very frusterating but thing will work out and he will be fine.

I know this sound strange but make sure you talk to them so they get to know the sound of your voice. Start talking to them before you enter their home. Seems to work for me...

thanks alot this really helps