fist ever leo

[leopard gecko 12]

hi,
i am new I got my first leo yesterday he has a 20watt heat mat and 2 hides and sand + water bowl is this all i need. he has bit me once is there any way to tame him, he is a baby.
thx
jerry

 

[RampantReptiles]

Ditch the sand. Sand can cause impaction if ingested, especially in baby leos.
Either use paper towel, slate tile, or reptile carpet.

 

[STUTFL]

How big is the tank? I generally try to have 3 hiding places available at any one time (one warm, one cool, a third kept humid all the time or just around shedding time).

If you just got him yesterday, he is going to want a little time to settle in to the strange new world he's found himself in before you try handling him. He may also take a while to start eating normal amounts as well. Be gentle and calm around him; if you've ever been around a skittish cat that needs to be lured with food or toys, leos can be like that at first. They'll threaten/bite or hide if you're more enthusiastic than they're ready to be, and the tiny ones are jumpy.

As mentioned, paper towels are a quick, popular substrate; they're disposable and easy to "install" during those early weeks. Personally I'm a fan of slate tiles as long-term substrate for my adult leo; feeders can't move it or dig in it, tiny gecko teeth don't get snagged in it, it can't be shredded and/or eaten, splashed water or wash-water dries fairly quickly without ruining it, and it heats up pretty evenly.

 

[leopard gecko 12]

what do I use for the moist box? I didn't no you needed one I got most. will the leo go in it or is it to keep the tank moist? sorry if I ask to much I just want to keep him or her properly kept.

 

[Dimidiata]

then you should have researched before you bought .

What you will need as a basic is a butter container or something like it, flipped upside down with a hole big enough for the leo to go in. Then put damp paper towels down inside of it, place it on the hotside or in the middle. Thats what you can do on the spot.


For a quality moist hide you will need a Tupperware container, with a hole cut in the lid that the gecko can fit into and then layer the inside with wet paper towels, sphagnum moss or coco fiber(cocofiber and sphagnum moss are better then papertowels. )