Is it okay to wake him up? You could wake him up once in a while, but don’t make it a habit or he will not like you. Remember that geckos are most active at twilight, so if you want to handle your gecko regularly you should do it in the evening.

Just like humans, geckos need a good night’s — or day’s — sleep. Geckos typically hide themselves under tree bark, in a cavity or other sheltered space when sleeping. When sleeping, those geckos who are equipped with eyelids shut them, and those without eyelids constrict their pupils as much as possible.

around 12 hours a day

Sleeping a lot Leopard geckos can seem to be very sleepy animals. Since they are crepuscular its not unusual for them to stay asleep of laze about until the evening or night. They should look relaxed and rather peaceful when asleep, if not this can be a sign of stress.

Even though your gecko cannot connect the dots between touch and love, they likely enjoy your hands for one reason or another. For starters, us humans are warm, and geckos need warmth to feel comfortable. Second, it’s a nice change of scenery outside of the tank.

Added: You are potentially exposing yourself to fecal – oral contamination by kissing your reptile. It’s up to you if you want to be anthropomorphic enough to have to kiss your reptiles.

After handling your reptile always wash your hands with hot, soapy water. Always wash your hands after touching reptile tanks and equipment, reptile food and reptile faeces. Do not kiss reptiles or share food or drink with them.

But unless you work at the poison center, you may not know the story of the girl that kisses the lizard and gets sick with Salmonella. Lizards, snakes, turtles and frogs carry Salmonella. It generally does not make the animals sick.