Adding adult male gecko

[hostar]

Hi

I have 2 female leos in a 20 gal long tank. I got them back in October when they were babies. I believe they are almost full grown. However my friend just gave me an older adult male....age unknown, but he is a little larger then my females, his head is definitely wider.

Is there anything I need to do before I introduce him to my females? Also is there anything I should look for or be aware of?

I believe the tank is big enough and I read that 1 male can be kept with 10-20 females.

Right now the male is in a large Tupperware in the cage, but the leos can not see each other.

Thanks!

 

[sjsexotics]

males are normally bigger than females so more then likely they will be fine but you sould make sure you have a lay box with moist soil because you will at some point have eggs

 

[Halley]

I would quarantine for at least a month first. The gecko is most likely healthy, but do you really want to risk that.

 

[Mel&Keith]

As Halley said, quarantine him before he has any contact with your other reptiles. That will also give you time to make sure you have everything needed for breeding: incubator, laying boxes, egg containers and incubation medium, individual housing for babies, homes for babies, etc. Males and females generally do better housed separately in our experience so you may consider that as a permanent option.

 

[hostar]

Thanks for all the responses. I am taking in this male leo because he was caged with another leo and they were fighting. I really don't want to separate the males and the females since I only have one cage.

hmmm I'm not planning on breeding them....what should i do with the eggs? I do have a tupperware filled with moss and I wet it when they shed. I guess I can use that as an laying box and egg box?

 

[Stitch]

If you don't plan on breeding them, then DO NOT put them together. You are just going to run the chance of problems occurring like egg binding, female weight loss, bullying. Not too mention all the problems that can occur with babies. Get a separate tank for the male and every one is happy. If you do plan on introducing them make sure you quarantine the new guy first, as mentioned.


ALSO if they were babies back in October (7 months old now) then they are no where near ready to lay eggs. The biggest reason for keeping them separated.

 

[hostar]

hmmmm.....damn

 

[Mel&Keith]

Unfortunately, it's not an ideal situation for you to take him unless you want to buy another tank, UTH, and other furnishings. Everything Stitch said was correct. Unless you're ready for everything that goes along with breeding, never introduce them. A breeding can take place in a matter of seconds.

 

[hostar]

ok.

thanks for all the responses. I am going to end up separating them. I will keep the male at home and the females in my classroom. Time to look for a 10 gal set up. =)

Any of you guys raise crickets? 3 geckos is going to make me break the bank =P

 

[LadyGecko]

Crickets are probably the hardest insects to raise (and the stinkiest-lol)
Meal worms are easiest to raise

I feed mostly super worms to my juvie/adult geckos and for the money they are the most economical feeders and my geckos love them and do very well eating them

Hope this helps
Sandy

 

[Halley]

Mel is right; I have had a male breed two females within 30 seconds, after I introduced them to him. Luckily this was a planned breeding, and I had everything set up for them, and have everything set up for the babies. Don’t get into this, until you know what you are doing. It will not be good for you, or the geckos. I just hope that he didn’t breed her already, as he probably already did.

 

[hostar]

I set my male up in a 20 long. Nice big open space for him.

Hmmm....I used to feed my gecko meal worms, but I like feeding crickets since they move around more. Plus my females like to hunt the crickets.

As for the male, I don't think he has eaten all weekend. Maybe he is adjusting to his new environment? His tail is still pretty fat.

Maybe I will try to raise meal worms again. It is the cheaper option.