How old do Leopard Geckos need to get before they stop acting scared everytime they are handled or something new is put into their tank? I bought my leo when he was about a month old in June, so he's now about six months old, I think. He no longer screams, but he does back away from my hand when I try to pick him up. Is there something I should be doing to try to prevent this?
Also, he hasn't been eating much anymore. I'm working on making his tank the right temperature at night, but keep having problems with bulbs blowing and figuring out how many watts will be the right amount. Could the fluctuating temperatures be why he hasn't been eating much. (I know that it is very important for his tank to be the right temp and am trying as hard as I can while working a very busy schedule, so please don't just write about how important it is.)
Thanks!

Hello,

Since Leopard Geckos are nocturnal, they primarily eat at night. If the temperatures in the tank are not adequate for digestion, that will certainly decrease his appetite. An Under Tank Heater or human heating pad will help with evening temps. If there is a hide over the Under Tank Heater or human heat pad, it will be warmer in that hide and better for digestion. You will still need to adjust the ambient temps though.

If you get a Heat Emitter from Reptileuv.com or a Ceramic Heat Emitter and a rheostat, you could adjust that so the temperatures fall where you want them. They will not blow like light bulbs do.

Hope this helps.

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when I had my Leopard Geckos I found that with a Under Tank Heater a 40 watt light bulb was good for light and the rest of the heat that was needed it will vary on what your house temperature is and such.

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1.1 Cats: Princess, Buddah "Boo"
0.2 Rats: Noah (hooded) & Winston (himalayan)

I have an innate love for all creatures big and small, no matter if they are furry, scaled, slimy, or feathered.

Regarding night time temps - you said you are having troubles with the bulbs you are using? I'm just wondering if you are keeping the bulbs on at night? Because if so then this is certainly affecting the leo's appetite and behaviour as it will disturb his natural photoperiod. For the cooler months, as Rich said, invest in a heat mat or Under Tank Heater to provide a gentle background heat, but make sure you keep it outside the cage. We use bulbs during the daytime and they keep the temps perfect.

Re. the behaviour - your leo is still young so there's plenty of time for him to tame down. Don't rush him - you need to let him get used to you; feed him, slowly and calmly put your hand in the tank for him to get used to your presence, and when you do handle him be gentle and hold him close to the floor or hold him inside his enclosure - sometimes young Leopard Geckos can flip out and take a sudden jump !!
Over time he will come to know you and won't be so skittish, although individuals will tame better than others - our females are tamer than our male.
When you say you put new things into the tank, what do you mean? - don't keep introducing new equipment as this will just freak him out and make him think he is switching environment every week. He needs to settle in properly and get used to his surroundings before he can get used to you.

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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

my African Fat-tail is the same way, I try to pay alot of attention even though I don't think that it knows what attention is in a good way ie. predator or friendly owner, I'm just now learning her eating habits. I decided to use a heating pad for a human, check the post in general discussion forum under Under Tank Heater, I can adjust the heat settings, it helps alot?

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When in doubt, Pinky out!
croc-o-dile6

Thanks for all the advice!
I do have an Under Tank Heater, but with just that on at night, the tank gets as low as 65 degrees, so I figured I should have a secondary night source. I'd been using red bulbs since I heard those are okay for the night, but I think I'll get one of those heat emitters next.
And regarding putting new things in the tank -- the only thing I've been changing is the mealworm bowl. I had trouble finding one they can't get out of. I found that really glossy bowls are hard for them to escape.

How big is your habitat? I have a habitat in a Ten gallon tank and at night I use the heating pad and have it on high, that keeps her moss warm and its under only a third of the tank(the cooler side) and I use a half hood with two 15 watt red light bulbs that keeps the temp around 75 to 80 at night. with the hood I have I can turn on both or just one bulb, that way I can adjust for the warmth or the coolness of the temp in the house. If you have it on inside wall of your house that helps also. I have learned this in the last two weeks and the Herp center has pretty much been the source of info for me, great people here!

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When in doubt, Pinky out!
croc-o-dile6