I keep attempting to handle our new Leo, she will come over lick my hand take a couple of steps on to my hand then back away again.

Am I best of keeping with this technique and let her come on to my hand or am I better picking her up and trying to keep her on my hand?

Since I was told she could drop her tail if she feels fightened I havent dared push it to picking her up - I'd hate for her to drop her tail!

Any ideas or suggestions on handling a lizard would be very gratefully received

I'd leave her be for a few weeks. Just letting her smell your hand and come to you. She needs time to settle in.

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My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

You are on the right track. Just keep doing what you are doing. It takes a bit for a new animal to get used to you.
You could also try leading her up into your hand by tempting her with a meal worm.
Or if you are impatient just slowly and gently slide your hand under the belly and pick her up.
Its swooping down on them and suddenly grabbing and holding tightly that frightens them.
Like a bird of prey has them.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Oops just realized how short of a time you have had her!
Liz is right. Let her settle in for a week or so to get used to things.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Thanks - I wasn't sure whether to leave her alone or whether to let her know my presence will be around a lot!!

I dont want to leave her completely alone then suddenly start handling her - I thought maybe it would be best to keep having a try when I open the viv to spot clean and check her water

I'm glad I found this place - i think I would be rather clueless otherwise!

If you start handling her too soon before she is completely secure in her new environment, you can stress her out further and prolong the period of adjustment for her. You may be frightening her now and just not be aware of it. You can spot clean and change her water out but leave her alone other than that. Too many times new owners will want to play with their new pets before giving them time to settle in.

She will learn that your presence will be around alot when you go in to spot clean and change out water. She will get used to seeing you there. You don't have to handle her to get that point across.

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yes i am a she ^_^

~My Babies~

1 Rosy Boa (male) Chaos
1 Snow Corn (male) Blizzard
1 Anertherystic Corn (male) Bullet
1 Senegal Parrot (male) Shadow
2 dogs (male) Spot and Bear