How to Handle Your Crested Gecko? An Illustrated Guide

Handling your crested gecko is one of the most fun and interesting things that most owners wait for. But there are certain rules and tips on how to handle your crested gecko. In this post, we will discuss how to handle your crested gecko, how long should you wait to handle your crested gecko, how to hold a baby crested gecko, how to handle a crested gecko for the first time and more.

How often can you handle a crested gecko?

You can handle your crested gecko every day or every other day, but this will depend on if your crested gecko is tame or not. For the first month, handle your crested gecko 1-2 times a week, mainly when cleaning the cage. After a month, you can start handling every or every other day for 15-20 minutes.

Make sure to start handling sessions with 3-5 minutes a day after your crested gecko has acclimatized. Start slowly approaching the tank and trying to handle for 5 minutes or so. Build it up through the weeks.

If your gecko is very small (under 10 grams), it’s better to wait until it gets bigger and only handle when necessary. This is because it’s very easy to injure a small crested gecko.

How long can you handle a crested gecko for?

You can handle your crested gecko for around 15-20 minutes before returning it to the cage. Crested geckos are fragile and can get stressed and cold if you handle it for too long.

When starting out, 2-3 weeks after bringing the crested gecko home, start with 5 minute handling sessions. And once your crested gecko becomes tame, handle it at least once a week to keep it docile and tolerant of handling. Otherwise, it will start disliking the handling.

How long should I wait to handle my crested gecko?

You will need to wait around 1-4 weeks before you can handle your crested gecko after bringing it home. While it’s the best idea not to handle your crested gecko that is under 10 grams at all, you can do it very gently.

Make sure your crested gecko is comfortable and is eating well before you attempt short handling sessions. Some crested geckos acclimatize quicker, and will be ready for handling sooner. Don’t force your crested gecko into handling if it keeps running away and breathing heavily, or it can drop its tail.

Do crested geckos like to be pet?

Most crested geckos are docile and tolerant of handling. While some crested geckos will try to escape during petting, this can be due to fear. Once your crested gecko is tame, it should not mind petting.

Some crested geckos do not really enjoy handling and petting, but will be tolerant of it. But some crested geckos do seem to enjoy human interaction and petting, and don’t seem to mind it at all. In general, crested geckos are more display pets.

Even if your crested gecko doesn’t like handling, the maximum it can do is try to jump, poop on you or bite to escape. Crested gecko bites are not serious and will feel like a pinch. Their bites rarely draw any blood. Be careful with a tail.

How to handle your crested gecko?

Remember not to handle your crested gecko for 2- 4 weeks, until it is settled, active, and has a routine.
Only approach the terrarium without handling for the first few weeks to build your crested gecko’s trust.
Start with short 3-5 minute handling sessions.
Handle towards the late evening, when your crested gecko starts waking up, but is not very active or jumpy.
Have a towel or a cup ready, because your crested gecko is very likely to poop when handling. Don’t get scared.
If your crested gecko poops on you, don’t put it back in the tank straight away, or it will keep doing it to avoid the handling.
Let the crested gecko come to you and walk on your hands, instead of picking it up. Don’t make any jerky movements.
You can also put one of your palms in front, and one in the back, and it’s likely to jump on. Cup your palms and lift the crested gecko.
Another way to let it walk on your hands is to place your palm in front of it, and touch its chin or back legs gently to make it walk forward.
Avoid pressing on crested gecko’s body, you can only gently ‘cup it’.

How To Hold a Crested Gecko - Full Guide — Let your crested gecko walk on your hand instead of lifting it.

Remember, crested geckos naturally jump in the wild from one branch to another, so be ready for that.
You can offer few drops of fruit puree on your finger, to build the trust. But don’t do it often as it will get used to hand feeding.
Make sure to start handling on a soft couch, bed or on the floor to prevent falls from high structures.
If your crested gecko jumps, place your another hand forward so your crested gecko can land on it. Play the ‘ladders’ or let the crested gecko walk on your hands.
To restrict your crested gecko from running or jumping, gently cup it in your hand and lightly press your finger on its belly and head.

How To Hold a Crested Gecko - illustrated Guide and Tips — To restrict, gently cup in one hand and press on its body very lightly.

Remember that babies will be jumpy, gravid females often unwilling to be handled. During the mating season, crested geckos can be too active and jumpy.
Never hold your crested gecko by the tail or approach suddenly, or it will drop it. Always be gentle and calm.

How To Handle Your Crested Gecko - Picture Guide — This is one hand ‘cupping’. Use another hand to catch your jumping gecko.

How To Handle Your Crested Gecko Correctly - Full Guide — It is much safer to handle your crested gecko on the floor, to avoid falls and injuries.

How to Handle Your Crested Gecko - Tips — Crested gecko in this position will jump. Make sure to place your other hand in front to catch it.

What to remember when handling a crested gecko

Dropping of the tail is one of the main issues with handling a crested gecko. Avoid touching your crested gecko’s tail. Never grab your crested gecko suddenly, from the top or without it seeing you approaching.

If your crested gecko is squeaking, then it’s probably not comfortable and is asking you to put it back in the terrarium. And if this is accompanied with heavy breathing, tail wiggling, then it’s the best idea not to handle your crested gecko at that time.

Just squeaking is normal, but don’t force your crested gecko into handling for too long if seems to be uncomfortable.

Make sure to wash your hands after handling a crested gecko. Supervise children when they are holding a crested gecko. It is the best idea to sit down when handling your crested gecko.

My crested gecko doesn’t like being handled

Your crested gecko is likely not to enjoy the handling until it’s fully comfortable and used to it. Most babies will be very fast and jumpy, trying to run away from you when you are trying to handle them.

How to Handle Your Baby Crested Gecko - Guide with Pictures — You can offer a drop of fruit puree or CGD to build trust and make your crested gecko approach you. But don’t do this too often, or it will get used to hand feeding.

Don’t give up and be patient. Start with putting your hand in the tank, and slowly getting closer to your crested gecko. You can even have a drop of fruit puree orCGD like this on your finger to see if it licks it.

It’s better to wait for your crested gecko to get older, as they slow down and get calmer with age. Try handling towards the evenings, when your crested gecko is not as active.

How to Hold a Crested Gecko - Tips and Tricks — When holding a baby crested gecko, just let it walk on your hands and fingers.

It’s better to only hold a baby crested gecko under 10 grams only when necessary. At this point, your crested gecko will be jumpy and can easily lose its tail. Start approaching its tank for 10 minutes a day so it can get used to your presence.