Beginner questions

[RyanJ]

Hi all, hope this is the right place to put this. I've been reading the forums for a bit, trying to learn as much as I can. I have the opportunity to bring home a female leopard gecko for a $75 rehoming fee (in Alberta, this seems to be a good price especially for a female). Before I do, I had a few general queries I wanted to ask to make sure I'm giving her a good new home.

1) I have 10 gallon and 32 gallon tanks- I was thinking of using the 10 for hermit crabs and 32 for the gecko. Is this too roomy for her? I am planning on adding a second floor so to speak- I saw a neat ramp set-up on here I wanted to make.

2) If she is set up in the 32, how many tankmates could she have? Males still kept seperate?

3) Are there any extra considerations for a larger habitat?

4) More of a curiousity question, as I fully intend to tame her- what would happen with a gecko if it wasn't tamed to be held?

Thanks so much

 

[Mel&Keith]

It's a great idea to adopt a gecko! Just make sure it appears healthy or you might run into some expensive vet bills right off the bat.

1) 32 should be a fine size tank. It can be a little big for a very young gecko but you can put extra hides so they feel more secure. With making levels, be sure that you keep the level short enough that they won't fall and hurt themselves.

2) You could keep 2 females together in a 32 but they need to be close in size and age. That still doesn't guarantee that they will get along. Any new gecko would need to bw quarantined for at least 30 days before you introduce them into the same habitat. Males and females will breed if left together even at a very young age so they should be housed separately.

3) They make different sized Under Tank Heaters for different sized tanks.

4) Juvenile Leos are just plain squirmy, it's there mode of self defense and completely normal. They usually settle down with handling and age. Aggressive adults sometimes won't change their attitude much.

 

[RyanJ]

Thanks for the reply (and sorry it was in the wrong forum). It looks like a go for the gecko, I just had a couple of (likely) dumb questions.

1) Will one gecko in a 32 be lonely? I don't recall if geckos are communal creatures or enjoy their solitude (like a red eared slider turtle).

2) For a 32 gallon tank, would I need a 30-40 gallon under-tank heater? Or could it be smaller?

 

[Riyo]

1. Geckos do not need friends, and do not get lonely

2. 30 - 40 should be fine as long as she has room to thermoregulate (floor space is more important than height..so if it's a tall tank you might have to go smaller)

 

[RyanJ]

Thanks Riyo, all good information. Last questions, I swear...

1) Which is a better location for the tank: my room (minimal daytime activity, not directly in the sun, humidifier running overnight), or the living area (more daytime hustle & bustle, quieter at night, no direct sunlight)? I think my room, but I want to run it past people first.

2) I'm buying the supplies from someone who used to house them, and he doesn't feel comfortable setting a price. What'd be fair to pay him for a tank, undertank heater, hides and tank lid/lighting? I don't want to rip him off.

Thanks