cleaning the tank--behaviour

[gordmit]

Hey, new guy here...have a female leo and every time I clean the tank and change the paper towel she freaks out when I put her back...literally tries to climb the walls for an hour or two. Is this normal--I've heard males use scent to mark their territory... Also, how often should you clean the cage (aside from scoopin' poop) and what cleaner is good to use to minimize stress? I've used vinegar...
Thanks,
Gordo

 

[LeapinLizards]

Mine usually explore their tubs for awhile after cleaning. It's all new smells to them. That, and the males drag their butts around marking it all up again lol.

As for how often, normally I do a spray out with a diluted vinegar solution once a week, but being that it's breeding season, and they are all making a MESS out of their tubs, it's been about every 4-5 days. I change paper towels, and clean and refill water dishes at this time as well. Then, once a month to every 1.5 months I do a complete cleansing...clean their hides, and spray out their tubs with diluted bleach (of course waiting, then rinsing a few times).

That's my routine, but everyone does it differently! I'm more on the paranoid, clean freak side of it, as I've gotten VERY ill from these cute little guys...

 

[BGalloway]

Does she freak out after cleaning with vinegar or some other detergent, or after just changing paper towels. If she only freaks out after cleaning with detergent you might not be letting the tank air out enough and it smells odd to her. The biggest thing with cleaning, I think, is to disinfect and air out; put your face in the tank and smell it, if it smells like detergent rinse it again and let it air out longer.

I clean my tank every 4 weeks with dish washing soap or diluted bleach if I have any. I use diluted vinegar on the glass if/when it gets spotty. In between cleanings if the tank gets dirty I'll just change both paper towels.

 

[gordmit]

Thanks!

 

[Geck-O]

Maybe she wants to run around? Try to handle her after you have cleaned the tank.

 

[shawn119]

Yeah I handle mine after cleaning.