Are 3 hides really necessary?

jerrymb

New Member
Messages
232
Location
New Jersey
I have my leo in a 10 gallon tank. I have 2 hides now. A warm hide and a moist hide. He uses the warm hide and never uses the moist hide. I don't have room for a 3rd cool hide.
 

IslaReina

New Member
Messages
370
Location
Illinois
The moist hide should be on the warm side and the other one on the cool side. It is better to have three hides, but I think that 2 will do. I have a ten gallon, and what I did was stack one hide on top of the other on the cool side. I have a upside down box with a hole cut out for my leo to get in and then I have a sturdy log-type hide on top of that. She loves to climb up there and hide inside.

But yeah, everywhere I've read says to have the moist hide on the hot side because it will keep in the moisture better. And no one likes sitting in cold, wet places xD
 

M_surinamensis

Shillelagh Law
Messages
1,165
For leopard geckos, more hides are pretty much always better. If you can construct a small maze made out of hides, with overlapping layers and narrow gaps between them that essentially form yet more hides, then you should do so. They do not really need open space, they need crevasses and tunnels, bolt-holes and cover.

Hides should also be selected for the species and for the animal. Low and dark, big enough for them to get into and turn around in, but small enough so that it's just big enough for them to get into and turn around; a hide protects them from predators partially by not allowing those predators to gain entrance.

Their instincts to hide send them looking for certain spaces, different shapes and arrangements. The better you provide that, including multiple options, the better able they are to thermoregulate and hydroregulate, the more secure they will be, always a couple inches from someplace to hide and the more active and complex their behaviors become as a consequence.

I don't have room for a 3rd cool hide.

I don't think I understand that. I get the impression you're either designating some space as needing to be open, which is counter to what is best or you're using hides that may be too big for a leopard gecko, preventing you from adding more. You want to aim for an elaborate network of small hides, or mimic some of the custom jobs people have done with larger decor pieces that form a series of low shelves and multiple hides.

A ten gallon fish tank has 200 in² as a footprint, give or take depending on the manufacturer, you really should have plenty of room for an easy 4-6 hides (or more) and two or three food/water/supplement dishes. Can you post a photograph of your enclosure? Someone can probably take a look at it and find more space.
 

jerrymb

New Member
Messages
232
Location
New Jersey
The moist hide should be on the warm side and the other one on the cool side. It is better to have three hides, but I think that 2 will do. I have a ten gallon, and what I did was stack one hide on top of the other on the cool side. I have a upside down box with a hole cut out for my leo to get in and then I have a sturdy log-type hide on top of that. She loves to climb up there and hide inside.

But yeah, everywhere I've read says to have the moist hide on the hot side because it will keep in the moisture better. And no one likes sitting in cold, wet places xD

Moist hide on the warm side?
 

sunshinegeckos

New Member
Messages
1,683
Location
Clearwater, FL
Yes the moist hide on the warm side because when they shed they need some humidity to help in shedding. You could fit 3 hides in a 10 gallon. They dont have to be large. You can make them out of small tupperware containers. I have one which fits into the corner of the tank and then another on the other side and a tupperware container in the middle with a hole cut in the top.
 

jerrymb

New Member
Messages
232
Location
New Jersey
I think I may have to get some new hides. My warm hide takes up almost 1/3 of the entire 10 gallon tank. It was part of all the stuff I got from the person who gave him to me. I guess a smaller hide would be better. I have no room on the warm side to add a moist hide.
 

fl_orchidslave

New Member
Messages
4,074
Location
St. Augustine, FL
When you have reptiles, you begin to look all plastic containers at the grocery store as possible animal use. Potato salad in the small square deli box, various colored and prints on margarine tubs, rotisserie chicken trays, etc. I sell superworms in sour cream tubs. You know you're an addict when you begin to buy food for the containers.........
 

M_surinamensis

Shillelagh Law
Messages
1,165
Opacity is one of those things that makes for a better hide. Darker is better. The height of the hide should be fairly low too, an open space above them is less secure than one that they can touch the top of with their back. Just something to consider, especially when using tupperware deli-cups and margarine tubs, which often allow a lot of light through their thin walls and tend to often be about as tall as they are wide.

Edit:

I guess a smaller hide would be better. I have no room on the warm side to add a moist hide.

Shape and size are of equal importance. Again, it'd be helpful to take a look at your enclosure and your hides. A photo would make the discussion a lot more specific and get you better, personalized, comments.
 
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jerrymb

New Member
Messages
232
Location
New Jersey
Opacity is one of those things that makes for a better hide. Darker is better. The height of the hide should be fairly low too, an open space above them is less secure than one that they can touch the top of with their back. Just something to consider, especially when using tupperware deli-cups and margarine tubs, which often allow a lot of light through their thin walls and tend to often be about as tall as they are wide.

Edit:



Shape and size are of equal importance. Again, it'd be helpful to take a look at your enclosure and your hides. A photo would make the discussion a lot more specific and get you better, personalized, comments.

I have no way to take a photo right now.
 

Jayme

New Member
Messages
103
Location
Florida
If you have a way to cut and sand an opening, I would suggest using a medium sized (or whichever size best suits your gecko) flower pot dish. You know, those orange clay ones that can be bought from hobby stores. I made one for my leo, and it's easily her most preferred hide. The entrance is just big enough for her to fit, and the roof of the hide is nice and low. Otherwise store bought hides or anything else you can make with similar qualities are perfect for leopard geckos.


You know you're an addict when you begin to buy food for the containers.........

Quote for truth. :main_laugh:
 

tlbowling

Geck~OCD
Messages
1,758
Location
NJ
You know you're an addict when you begin to buy food for the containers.........

I buy skippy peanut butter b/c I LOVE THE LID! They make the best food and water bowls! :main_yes: Yea...Im an addict:main_thumbsup:

to the OP...if you get creative you can pack a lot into a 10 gallon...did you ever think to make a second level? There are LOTS of ideas in the DIY section :)

PS sorry if someone suggested this already...I didnt real ALL the posts;)
 
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