New addition.

[Solucki]

So I just got back from petco with this awesome little fella.


I just want to show him off. I've done research but I've never kept a leopard gecko before. What advise is there That's not on the caresheets? Or incorrect?
I have him in a 10 gallon with carpet, a 50W infrared heat lamp, cork round hide a worm dish and large water dish. I'm thinking about adding some moss somewhere.

 

[Najakeeper]

Have a plastic container with damp moss in it as a humidity chamber. These guys are prone to losing digits when humidity is inadequate. Very nice.

 

[Solucki]

Alright, check. I think he's comfy now. View attachment 111602
2 hides(warm and cold), big water dish, humidity chamber, worm dish.

Still haven't got a name yet, any thoughts?

 

[Najakeeper]

I used to have one called Gecky ;-).

Just don't forget to dust his crickets with calcium and you are all set.

 

[Shrike]

Still haven't got a name yet, any thoughts?

How about Eublepharus macularius? I've always thought that would make a great name for a leopard gecko. Either that or Mumm-Ra, the Ever-Living.

 

[Solucki]

E-Mac for short. That could work.

 

[Solucki]

I'm going with Dexter.
Also, do I need to maintain a certain humidity or is the humidity chamber enough? It's been between 10%-20% in there.

 

[skar]

Personally - I just use paper towels as substrate and a humid box with moist peat moss - no issues . add a dish with minerall in it they should supplement themselves.
too much calcium CAN be problematic too.

 

[Solucki]

I got a moist hide with sphagnum moss on hot side will that work?
Is there any reason to use a daylight blue lamp during day or will that stress him? I have the infrared to use for basking.
Also, the repashy Leo gecko calcium plus, is that good? It has vitamin D-3 and A. I put it in the dish with mealworms plus 1 cricket per day.

---------- Post added 01-04-2013 at 02:05 PM ----------

Aww man. He just puked up a cricket and a mealworm, why would that happen? Have I been stressing him too much?

 

[skar]

They really don't need light, they are nocturnal period.
I use a under tank heater and no additional lighting (other than the windows obviously).
It's not going to hurt to use infrared just an expensive unnecessary addition.
I suggest to lay off the feeding with mealworms in the calcium dish, he/she will eat the calcium on it's own.
Mealworms are packed with calcium anyways. Not sure on why it would vomit the food ... too much food maybe ?

I feed mine by hand shrug, hope I was of assistance for you .

 

[Solucki]

I noticed what appeared to be diarrhea also. I hope he's not getting sick. Can stress cause this? He's been moved a lot lately. Just got to store then rehouse a few days later, I've been bothering a bit much lately as I just got him. Ill be leaving him to get comfortable for a few days now.

 

[Scar]

Like skar said, no heat lamps necessary, they are nocturnal and do not bask in the sun. they need belly heat to digest food properly so an under the tank heater is needed. Some folks like the herp carpet but I found it to be a pain in the butt. I use ceramic floor tile with paper towel on the poop side. Don't worry about the runny poop. Should go away after a little while of a good diet. and they, just like all living things get the $h**s from time to time. Not to mention their pee is in their poop too (urea). Don't have to dust the food every time you feed, maybe once a week or two. Hope this helps

 

[Solucki]

Yes, thank you, I got the under tank heater now, took out lights. I hope you're right, scar, and I don't have to worry about him.

The hot side.
Got him a playmate too(from the same litter, An albino.) It's in the moist hide, it's shedding.

 

[catfishrod69]

Be sure to put that moist hide on the cold side of the tank. Also you might wanna invest in a digital temp gun (can get them on ebay for cheap). This will allow you to check the temp on the carpet on the hot side. You need to have it right about 92F.

 

[Solucki]

Be sure to put that moist hide on the cold side of the tank. Also you might wanna invest in a digital temp gun (can get them on ebay for cheap). This will allow you to check the temp on the carpet on the hot side. You need to have it right about 92F.

Cold side? Alright, but he looks so comfy, ill move him later.
What do the ZooMed or i think Zilla heat mats normally heat to, there's no dial to change it, I'll check and I guess I need to get a dimmer switch or something right?

 

[catfishrod69]

Yep cool side. Im not really sure. I have read that they get to around 130, but that has been a debate. Might wanna check the temps first, they might be ok. Or they might not be enough. I used a dimmer switch on my geckos heat pads. I just bought a dimmer from walmart, cut one of the wires, and spliced it in. Once i got the heat set where i wanted it, i took a sharpie and made a mark on the knob and dimmer, so they would stay aligned. That way incase it got bumped or anything i could easily see.

 

[Solucki]

Eek! It's 102F with the heat lamp on. Gonna measure with lamp off. Might need to get a dimmer. What kind of problems can too much heat cause?

Name for albino is Damien.
http://youtu.be/1UG8okIT97c

It's say 95F with lamp off, gonna leave it be. I think that's close enough right?

 

[catfishrod69]

Yeah thats a little much. Im not sure what kind of problems can arise with leos. I know that lizards have no feeling in thier bellies, so too hot under them can boil thier intestines. Thats why heatrocks kill lizards. 95 sounds good. Your best bet is to take the heat lamp and pitch it, or atleast get it competely away from the leos.

 

[Scar]

Sorry if I'm repeating myself, but ceramic tile and zoo med heat pads are a great combo. The tile soaks up and dissipates the heat very nicely. Geckos are kinda like Ts, very hardy. Don't cook it, give it belly heat, a hide and food (sometimes dusted) and water. Bam! Happy gecko. I personally don't keep a humid hide in my gecko enclosures, when I see they're about to shed I put one in. Oh, also help aid the skin off the toes, if it stays on they will fall off

Also, don't think I've said this yet. Congrats on you're new pet! Leos are very cool, friendly and hardy easy pets.

 

[Solucki]

Thanks for all the help. Ill look into getting some tiles but I think I need to let them settle in for a while.