Hi people im new and I just got a gecko. I tried picking him up like your meant to (so he could see me). He was ok but tried to wriggle and stuck his toungue out. I dont know if thats a good sign or not ? He's a 4 y/o male who I got of a friend who handled him regularly. Should I just take it easy for the first few weeks or what ? Also when I put him back he ran off. But when I got it yesterday my friend put the gecko on my hand and it was fine. Also he sits in the same place for hours and im not sure if thats normal. Thanks in advance

Welcome to Herp Center. Leopard geckos will tolerate handling, and some even enjoy it. Wriggling to get free or to explore is not uncommon and is even normal. Licking, or "sticking out their tongue", is one of the ways that a leo will identify you. Just like a snake, the leo is collecting air molecules with his tongue and deciphering the different "smells" in the jacobson' organ (vomeronasal organ) located in the roof of the mouth.

If you just recentl got the gecko, you should be leaving it alone to adjust to its new surroundings.

Leopard geckos are nocturnal. If they don't move all day, thats because they would typically be sleeping during that time in the wild. The leopard geckos activity increase at dusk and dawn.

Here is our caresheet on leopard geckos: Leopard Gecko Caresheet (Eublepharis macularius) - Reptile Information - Caresheets Database

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leo's are great I got mine about 2-3 months ago. I have to say it took the leo about 3 weeks to get used to me, and I didnt handle it for the first week. Other than cleaning , water and feeding it. But I didnt handle it.
I would rest my hand in the enclosure and let it come to me...check me out. Its a lot less skittish with me now.
That caresheet is great read it
Good luck with your new leo!

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Hi and welcome to the HCN, we are glad to have you. It will just take a week or so for your little guy to settle in. When you get the chance post some pics

Welcome to Herp Center!!! Good luck with your new gecko, and definitely check out the caresheet; all the caresheets are great resources.

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welcome! hope you have lots of fun with your new friend! Leopard Geckos are great and I would love to have one some day!

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welcome and my lepord gecko will randomly wiggle around and I think its nothing to worry about. hes just a little freaked on getting picked up by a large animal. He`ll definately calm down just give him a few weeks to adjust and then start handiling him more. He`ll calm down for sure. Mine wont move for days sometimes especially during the day. The only time I get much action out of him is feeding. He run full speed for a cricket. We`d like to see some pics if you have any

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Welcome to Herpcenter.

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Thanks for the help. Do you think I should just put my hand in (Such as water changing which I do do anyway) for the first week or so then see if he walks onto my hand or lets me pick him up ?

Welcome!! I got my first leo in December, and I am addicted! They are great. We would love to see pictures if you can post them...
My leo is very curious...if I put my hand in and rest it on the bottom of the tank she will usually come over and check me out and climb on my hand and/or arm. But, that is only if she is awake. When she is sleeping in her hide, she will usually ignore me entirely LOL. I would say after a week of seeing/smelling your hand in the cage, he would definitely know you weren't trying to eat him, and he should be fine to handle. When I first got Matilda she did that tail spinning wiggle kind of thing sometimes when I would lift her out of the tank, but she does not do that if I place one hand flat in the tank and scoot her on to it with my other hand and lift her out that way. (Basically, if I have her sitting flat on my hand she does not freak out because her feet are still touching the 'ground'...she only seems to do the wiggle when I have to lift her with one hand and her feet are dangling in the air.) Hope that made some sense!?