They are definitely handleable. Although they are a bit jumpy as juvies I believe they grow out of it for the most part. when you are holding a crested watch it's eyes as they will be looking at the point they want to jump to. Put your free hand in front of their face(but not in their face so you don't scare 'em) so they can jump or walk to it. I don't have any hands on experience with them YET, but this is what I have learned from the very knowledgeable crested keepers here on these forums.