Nervous new owner...

[BHReptiles]

I've had my little crestie for 8 days now! So far, I'm in absolute love with him/her. Couscous is 7g and is living in an 12 x 12 x 18 glass terrarium. I've got a ground hide, drift wood, vines, plants, water dish on the ground, and a magnetic feeding ledge with both CGD and water in it at all times. He (I keep referring to him/her as a he until proven otherwise) gets misted twice a day, once in the morning and once before I go to bed. He's kept in the mid 70s all the time.

This is my first lizard species. For some reason, I feel like this little guy/gal is super fragile. I'm a little terrified to hold him because he's so small and I don't want to "break" him and because I do not want to be the cause of him dropping his tail! I know that it's a common thing and it's nothing to worry about, but do yall have any tips to help me be less nervous around my new addition? Even though I still love him to pieces and he's so fun to have around, I want to be able to handle him a little more without worrying that I'm going to hurt him!

[kameo37]

I don't have a crestie, but I have other lizards. I would say that as cautious and nervous as you are...you aren't going to hurt him. Handle him for small amounts of time so you can get used to each other. Keepers that are as interested and careful as you are end up being great reptile parents. It just feels 'fragile' now because it's new. You probably felt the same way about your first snake! He'll settle down, you'll settle down, and soon ya'll will feel like old pals!
Take your time, slowly up your handling. You'll do great!

[BHReptiles]

Oh yeah. I'm overly cautious! I only handle him every two days or so for 5 or so minutes at a time.

[alykoz]

He/she shouldn't drop their tail unless they're stressed out. It happens though so don't feel too bad if it does. And it's just like a snake, the calmer you are, the calmer they will be. it's easier if you're sitting down. I don't have a Crestie but I love them and am around them sometimes. Have fun with your new friend

[OctagonGecko729]

We have never had a crested drop their tail. It makes me wonder how folks end up with entire collections that are tail less.

I have come home to broken A/C units which caused the temps to get to 90F, I have removed full body stuck sheds with Q-tips/tweezers, I have seen some very brutal looking breedings, and I pick hatchlings up by their tails on a regular basis with a light touch.

So relax, so long as you don't freak them out and handle them gently they won't drop it.

[CaitJaye]

Don't worry. cresties are pretty sturdy. my one likes to climb all up in my hair and sit from the top of my head. and then dive bomb off my head. cresties are pretty social as well, so don't be nervous. soon you'll be walking around your house with a little lizard clinging to your chest or shoulders. Have fun with him.

[artgecko]

I would not worry about it.. Mine have never dropped a tail. I think the main thing is to not grab them by it. I took precautions with mine when little, namely making sure I was over a surface when handling so that they wouldn't fall a long way if they decided to leap off my hand etc.

[BHReptiles]

Thanks everyone. I never grab by the tail and usually am holding him over something soft. I'm just not used to geckos. However, I love him to pieces. He loves his crickets too! Tried some small crickets this week and he loved them.