Helping Out A Friend!

[Moofins07]

Hi, BP.net'ers! I have a friend who is thinking of getting a leopard gecko, and I'd just like to get some feedback from people who currently own, or have owned, leos.

Her main concern before coming to a decision is: will it be "tame"? I see pictures of people handling them, but can they be flighty? Will it "cuddle" with you, or slowly and curiously explore its surroundings? I know this is a big variable; every animal is different. But any insight helps! My friend is really into the "cutie" type things, so she really wants a cuddly and laid back little friend.

If she does decide to get a leo, what are the main husbandry concerns? Tank size, best heating method, temperatures, humidity, substrate, lighting, and are they strictly insectivores? Do they require veggies and fruit, or any calcium dust for crickets?

I will do plenty more research on the off-side, but hearing it first-hand from leo owners is always best in my books. Thanks, guys!

[Clementine_3]

Her main concern before coming to a decision is: will it be "tame"? I see pictures of people handling them, but can they be flighty? Will it "cuddle" with you, or slowly and curiously explore its surroundings? I know this is a big variable; every animal is different.

I currently have four Leo's and every one is different.
Clementine is about as flighty as you can get, she is a jumper and leaper. She HATES being held and will squirm, wiggle, jump, leap...whatever she can do. She will calm right down when she is on solid ground though, it's just the holding part.
3 loves to be held and 'pet', she will willingly get on my hand and is happy to walk up my shirt/arm/hands or anywhere I put her. She just likes a good visit.
Loretta is psycho. She had an internal bleed a while back and I really think she is brain damaged from it. Sometimes she will be the friendly little girl she always was (like 3) and other times she will totally freak out and run like a lunatic when I take the top off her tank. She's not normal though!
Tim is a big happy guy all around. He won't get in my hand like 3 will but he could care less if I pick him up and is happy to be held. He too likes to be 'pet'. He and 3 are definitely the cute and cuddly type. Loretta was and Clemmy never will be.

If she does decide to get a leo, what are the main husbandry concerns? Tank size, best heating method, temperatures, humidity, substrate, lighting, and are they strictly insectivores? Do they require veggies and fruit, or any calcium dust for crickets?

I have my guys in 20 longs (each has their own). I use UTH's and small radiant heat panels (overkill, but beats a light bulb) controlled by a thermostat, warm side temps ~90 degrees. For substrate I like a ceramic tile on the warm side and paper towel on the cool side. A humid hide on the warm side takes care of humidity. They have hides on the warm, cool and middle and a hammock, they love their hammocks! I leave a small milk cap of calcium in the tanks at all times. Feeders (yes, strictly insectivores) do need to be dusted with calcium, vitamins and calcium w/D3. Babies/juvies = calcium five times a week, vits once a week and D3 once a week...adults can be cut back.
That's what I do anyway
Leo's are great little critters, they are just fun and super cute. Even Clemmy and Loretta make me giggle, I don't need to hold them to enjoy them.

[olstyn]

The ones I've owned and those owned by people I've known have all been pretty laid back - I think spaz leos are pretty rare, and even if a juvenile starts out kinda twitchy, they'll usually calm down over time. I have to agree with Clementine_3, though; they all seem to have unique personalities - some will mostly ignore you, others will watch your every move, etc, it just depends on the individual.

In my experience, the best way to get a calm adult is to put in some time establishing trust when the leo is a juvenile. Try not to grab them unless you absolutely must (should be almost never). I can count the number of times I've actually held leos in a tight grip on one hand - it's just not necessary outside of medical situations IMO. I start out by just putting my hand down on the floor of their enclosure and letting them come to me. They get curious and come investigate once they've gotten used to you being there. When nothing bad happens, they decide that you're not a threat, and you're pretty much good to go.