Geckos are small lizards that are found all over the world in warm climates. There are over 1500 known species of geckos, ranging greatly in size, coloration, and behavior. Some geckos like to be handled and interact with humans while others prefer to be left alone. So what type of gecko makes the best pet that enjoys human interaction? Here is an overview of different types of geckos and their temperaments when it comes to handling.
Leopard Geckos
One of the most popular pet geckos is the leopard gecko. These geckos are medium sized, growing up to 8-10 inches, and have yellow and black spotted patterns resembling a leopard. They are docile, hardy, and do well being handled. Leopard geckos tolerate regular handling from a young age. When raised in captivity and socialized properly, leopard geckos learn to enjoy human interaction. Here are some key facts about leopard geckos and handling:
| Native Habitat | Deserts of South Asia and the Middle East |
| Size | Up to 8-10 inches |
| Lifespan | 6-10 years in captivity |
| Personality | Docile, easy to tame |
| Handling Tips | Gently scoop up with hands or handling glove, support body and tail |
Leopard geckos move slowly and rarely try to escape or bite when handled. Their calm demeanor makes them one of the best gecko species for handling frequently.
Crested Geckos
Another popular pet gecko for handling is the crested gecko. Native to New Caledonia, crested geckos are medium sized with unique crested eyelids. Their coloration can be various shades of grey, brown, orange, yellow or red. Some key facts about crested geckos and handling include:
| Native Habitat | New Caledonia |
| Size | Up to 8 inches |
| Lifespan | 10-15 years in captivity |
| Personality | Docile, easily tamed |
| Handling Tips | Gently scoop and support body, avoid tail |
Crested geckos have a more “nervous” disposition than leopard geckos. However, when handled regularly from a young age, crested geckos learn to tolerate and even enjoy human interaction. Their tails can fall off easily so care should be taken when picking them up. Overall though, crested geckos make fairly good pets for handling.
Gargoyle Geckos
Closely related to crested geckos, gargoyle geckos have a very similar appearance and care. Gargoyle geckos tend to have a more tolerant personality when handled compared to crested geckos, and are a bit slower moving. Here are some key gargoyle gecko facts:
| Native Habitat | New Caledonia |
| Size | Up to 8 inches |
| Lifespan | 15-20 years in captivity |
| Personality | Tolerant, docile when handled |
| Handling Tips | Gently scoop and support body |
Gargoyle geckos make excellent pets, being quite tolerant of regular gentle handling when raised properly. Their slower movements and calm demeanor allows them to be handled frequently without much stress.
African Fat Tailed Geckos
As the name suggests, African fat tailed geckos have a distinct fat tail for storing nutrients. They have banded or spotted patterns in shades of lavender, grey, brown or yellow. Some key facts about fat tailed geckos include:
| Native Habitat | West Africa |
| Size | Up to 8 inches |
| Lifespan | 10-15 years in captivity |
| Personality | Usually docile, easy to tame |
| Handling Tips | Gently scoop, avoid grasping tail |
Fat tailed geckos tend to be slower moving and quite docile. With regular gentle handling from a young age, fat tailed geckos learn to be quite tolerant of being handled. Their calm nature allows them to be good gecko pets for handling.
Tokay Geckos
Unlike the previous geckos discussed, tokay geckos tend to be much more aggressive. Native to Southeast Asia, these large arboreal geckos can grow up to 14 inches long. They have a blue grey body with red spots and an infamous loud call. Some tokay gecko facts include:
| Native Habitat | Southeast Asia |
| Size | Up to 14 inches |
| Lifespan | 10-15 years in captivity |
| Personality | Aggressive, harder to tame |
| Handling | Not recommended, likely to bite |
Tokay geckos are not ideal for frequent handling. They have a strong bite and tend to be nervous and jumpy. While they can become somewhat tamer with extensive work, tokays will likely never enjoy being handled.
Mourning Geckos
An exceptionally small species, mourning geckos reach just 3-4 inches long. Despite their tiny size, they do actually tolerate occasional handling quite well. Some facts about mourning geckos include:
| Native Habitat | Madagascar |
| Size | 3-4 inches |
| Lifespan | 3-5 years in captivity |
| Personality | Usually quite docile |
| Handling | Tolerates light handling |
Mourning geckos are very small and delicate, so handling sessions should be gentle and brief. With their timid nature, mourning geckos do allow for some periodic handling as long as it is done carefully. Their tiny size also makes them easy to care for.
Conclusion
When it comes to finding a gecko that enjoys frequent handling, leopard geckos are the best choice. Their calm personality coupled with hardiness has made them a popular pet. Other good options include crested geckos, gargoyle geckos, fat tailed geckos, and mourning geckos. These species can become quite tame and tolerate periodic gentle handling when raised in captivity. Aggressive tokay geckos are not an ideal choice for handling. Providing proper care and gentle, regular handling from a young age are key to having a pet gecko that bonds with its owner.