I have 5 leopards, one of which I bought recently and he is VERY young. I've never taken on a leopard quite this young before(although I don't know exact age, but looks like just older than a hatchling).
I got him from a LPS, and he's acting very strangely. He's not eating crickets yet, but I'm not quite worried about it YET. What I'm worried about is that every time my wife or I stick our hands into the tank to get him used to us, or touch him in any way, he jumps and hisses. I've never seen a leopard so aggressive.
Just wondering if this has happened to anyone else, or if anyone could help.
Thanks in advance.

Digital Bliss,

Young Leopard Geckos can sometimes be very hissy and scared, expecially if you are approacing him/her from above as a predator would. That will just take time and he/she WILL get used to you. He/she may not eat for you right off that bat, give him/her a few days to settle in, he/she is in a new place and will need time. In the mean time you may want to call the LPS and see what they were feeding the little one as this leo may be used to silk worms or meal worms rather then crickets.

Keep us posted on his/her progress and good luck. Let us know if there is anything else you need...

__________________
Jayr & Mandy Robinson
J&M Herp Shack
"Are you watching closely?"

Welcome to HC by the way...

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Jayr & Mandy Robinson
J&M Herp Shack
"Are you watching closely?"

Baby aggression, gotta love it What is LPS?

Welcome to the friendliest forum on the web.

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Val
www.reptilerescuerichmond.org

welcome to HC!! Your new baby will get used to you!!

Thanks for the quick replies. I have gotten a couple youngsters before, just not quite this young, so I do know about the eating. I've never dealt with the aggression before, and I'll be patient with him.

LPS - Local Pet Shop

my female hissed at me when she was a hatchling, but after she grew a little she got used to me, now shes about 6 years old and very tame
I would wait till she started eating before handeling her (dont stress her till she gets settled in)

How big is this leo? Are you keeping him/her with others? If so and s/he is smaller then you might consider separating them as this may be causing stress and increasing the lack of appetite and defensiveness.

I have to highlight here though that your leo isn't being aggressive.. no such thing IMO. S/he is scared and is trying to defend itself in the only way it knows how, as it can't run away. Give it time, be patient and be very very quiet and careful with it. Imagine if a giant pink thing came towards you from above.. yes hmmm i'd be pretty freaked too

Good luck, keep us informed on his/her progress.

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"If you know everything you may as well blow your brains out because the reason for existence is to learn more everyday." - Mark O'Shea, 2004

I've had him for going on a week now, he is in a minimally decorated 10g alone.
I'm keeping the tank pretty bare right now to make it easier for him to find his food, water, calcium, etc.

sounds like your going the right direction with the enclosure, and that behavior is perfectly normal for a youngster, not agressive just scared

dont worry to much about it