How and when to handle Gargoyles?

[Redbulldog]

Hi guys,

I am looking for some advice on how best to start handling my Gargoyle Geckos.

They are about 1 year old and I bought them from a reptile pet store a week ago. They have both settled in enough to start eating, but are very jumpy (quite literally) when I put my hand into the viv.

My question is this:

Is it better for the welfare of my geckos if I introduce my hand to them slowly, getting closer each time without actually touching them so they learn to trust me. :atom:

or

Is it better just to carefully pick them up each day so they eventually struggle less each time I do it. :grab: This is the approach I am thinking about taking, but I am nervous that they will get too stressed and possibly drop their tail.

I think it is important that I start to handle them soon so they get used to me and stop stressing :bugged: each time I open their viv doors so any advice is very much welcome.

Thanks,

Mic.

[clint545]

Try not to just pick them up from above. Let them see your hand in front of them and try to "scoop" them up. When handling them, it's best to do the hand to hand technique, always have you free hand in front of them in case they decide to jump.
You can even try to have a dab of baby food on a finger to calm them down when you take them out.
If you don't handle them for great lengths of time, but do it at least once a day, they should calm down and tolerate the regular handling.
Hope this helps.