A Question?

[efx*]

Hi Im new to geckoforums.com. I just got an albino gecko. I have noticed when he eats his crickets on the cage carpet he gets some of the carpet to and he starts shaking violently, and I was wondering if it was normal or is it just my gecko. Right now I have him on paper towels and hes acting normall. Thank you.

 

[robin]

i have never used cartpet i prefer paper towels, but i am sure someone can answer your question.

WELCOME TO GECKO FORUMS!!

 

[efx*]

Ok, Thanks

i have never used cartpet i prefer paper towels, but i am sure someone can answer your question.

WELCOME TO GECKO FORUMS!!

 

[ReptileMan27]

Im not sure I understand what you mean, your say he gets caught on the carpet?. If so I have heard of similar problems with reptile carpet, mainly their toes getting caught. I would switch to paper towels

 

[Stitch]

When I used carpet I too noticed that sometime the geckos teeth would catch the carpet as well. He would sort of bite repeatedly at the food item to pull it up from the carpet without letting it go. BUT I have also seen my geckos do the same with paper towels. Can you clarify or confirm if he is shaking his head to get free from the carpet fibers? Or is he doing it after he has pulled the food from the floor?

 

[efx*]

Yes thats what he does he gets little peices caught in his mouth but he freaks out and shakes like a sezer but I have switched to paper towel and hes fine I was just wondering if it was normal.

When I used carpet I too noticed that sometime the geckos teeth would catch the carpet as well. He would sort of bite repeatedly at the food item to pull it up from the carpet without letting it go. BUT I have also seen my geckos do the same with paper towels. Can you clarify or confirm if he is shaking his head to get free from the carpet fibers? Or is he doing it after he has pulled the food from the floor?

 

[Stitch]

Yeah he was just trying to get his teeth unhooked. That's one of the reasons why I went to paper towels.

 

[efx*]

Ok cool I only liked it cause it looked better.

 

[efx*]

Also is there any other cool substrate that is harmless?

 

[Stitch]

Another one that I have used and looks better then paper towels is slate tiles. They are the most natural looking substrate that is safe to use. The only down falls to it is you have to be careful when heating them because they cunduct heat very well. There are usually gaps between peices and that creates hiding spaces for feeders. Also some say they don't work well with UTH's, I have always used an over head lamp to heat the tiles. So I can't say one way or another when it comes to that.

I am actualy using the tile for one of my baby geckos because that paticular cage doesn't have a UTH. With a 75 watt red bulb the tile ranges from 86-94. When I use the tile, it is only on the warm side, the rest of the cage is covered with paper towels. Sort of what is like pictured (old picture) below, you just don't want that type of tile because it is slick. You want a rough surfaced tile so the geckos feet can grip it. I have since flipped over the tile to get that rough surface.

 

[MichaelJ]

We used to use carpet when we started and we eventually stopped for this reason and because of the toe catching possibilities. You'll see, and from what it already seems like you're seeing is that when they strike them are clumsy. Sometimes they catch a leg of the cricket the wrong way, or getting too much powder in the bite, take too large of a bite, catch some fibers of the carpet in their mouth,etc.. the first thing they do is to shake their head violently to remove it. They don't have the muscles of mastication like humans to be able to spit like us. They will do the same thing if they get too much water in their mouth or the fluid covers their nostrils. It's a flinch reaction and is normal..

I would not use carpet for several reasons (cleanliness, toe tears, scents) paper towels are best.

 

[efx*]

ok thank you but, I have noticed the width paper towel doesn't cover the whole tank therefore crickets get under it when I feed him

 

[Stitch]

I take it that you are using a tank bigger then a 20 gallon long. Otherwise it should fit the width perfectly. In any case, what I do is I lightly mist the paper towels and lay them in the cage. Then I try to firmly press down any areas that may be sticking up or I add a little more water. This help conceal hiding spots. It's not a permanent fix but it helps. You can also spray the edges when it's feeding time, this will help stay down longer. I have noticed that 2 of my geckos associate the cage misting with feeding time.

 

[efx*]

Yea im using a 29 gallon, Cool ill try that.

 

[Stitch]

The 29 gallons are sometimes called 30 gallon talls, but they have the same floor space as a 20 gallon long. I have a 29 gallon tall and the width of the paper towels covers the tank fine. It's the length that is off. I use the paper towels that have the "select-a-size". I go a little short and take a single sheet and let it overlap on the cool end. This way when that sheet is soiled I just remove it and add a new one, it helps keep the cage very clean.

 

[efx*]

lol, Thats what I did to.