Bought an African Fat-tailed Gecko, but died within 24 hours

[Kimyoonmi]

I bought an African fat tailed Gecko, set it up in quarantine, put in a humidity box with spagnum moss sprayed it really well, a water dish, a hide on the cool end and it died within 24 hours. The other geckos I own are perfectly fine (I sanitize well between tanks anyway... just in case). I'm sad and a bit pissed off. When I got her, it looked like her tail had been dropped once, so she was already through a fair amount of stress. So I thought if I put her in nice temporary digs she would do fine. She was shipped... Trying to see if I can get a refund, but I'm really sad and I might be out of cash for her. But really, if she dies so soon after arrival, is it really my fault?

My other 2 African Fat-tailed Geckos are doing fine, though as are my 3 other leopard geckos. I tried to give her water, too, right after she arrived. Didn't want it. Showed her the humid hide. Didn't go in. Trying to figure out what I did wrong and can't come up with anything. I feel really sorry towards her. I didn't even get to feed her once. She didn't deserve this.

 

[acpart]

You may not have done anything wrong. In fact, the breeder may not have done anything wrong either. I've shipped and received a fair number of geckos and never had a death, though I did have a day gecko many years ago shipped 2 day air USPS in March when the temp went down to 14F and the package got lost. She was in cold coma when she arrived but I was able to revive her and I had her for 12 years.

Most breeders have a policy for when the gecko arrives and doesn't survive. I hope you've contacted the breeder. Sometimes a particular gecko just doesn't do well with the stress and it's something no one can predict. A responsible breeder, if it turns out that no one did anything wrong, would give a partial refund or provide another gecko. Here are the breeder's responsibilities:
--gecko is shipped next day air (tracking info should have been provided)
--gecko is properly packed with styrofoam insulation around the deli cup and probably some kind of cool pack (you can check shipyourreptiles.com for detailed packing instructions.
--gecko is not shipped if the temps are too hot at origin city, hub and destination city (shipyourreptiles.com also has info about this)

Receiver's responsibilities:
--gecko is unpacked as soon as it arrives
--breeder is contacted if anything looks "wrong" i.e. shipping materials, condition of the box
--breeder is contacted if anything happens to the gecko with a detailed description of what happened and photos

Once again, it's possible that everyone fulfilled their responsibilities and no one knew that a particular gecko just couldn't take the stress.

I'm sorry for your loss and hope this is somewhat helpful.

Aliza

 

[Kimyoonmi]

I'm really sad. I contacted the seller and got a refund for the price of the gecko, but not the shipping. I'm giving them a second chance since I've bought from them before. They originally promised a gecko without a regrown tail, so I'm hoping they won't let me down this time. I bought a ball python from them before that's still alive and thriving.

 

[acpart]

I'm sorry this has been so hard and that the gecko didn't make it. It sounds as if the seller has done the right thing and I hope things work out better this time.

Aliza