Hello from California!

[Alaizabelle]

Hello there everyone!

My name is Anna, and I just became a first time gecko owner late last night with the addition of two juvi leopard geckos to my personal zoo. I'm known in my area as the one to go to with animals, as I can never say no to a creature in need. Luckily, instead of finding two frozen reptiles in a box on my doorstep in the morning, the previous owner was kind enough to actually knock and leave a note. (No such luck for the previous animal to be left on my lawn, a little rabbit in a cardboard box!) They seem a little skinny, but ate really well thismorning when I offered them mealworms by hand.

They are both currently residing in a spare 10 gallon tank I have quickly set up after a trip to google for help. Today's plan of action is to get these little guys a better enclosure set up, as right now it's set with the bare minimum. There's an under the tank heat pad on one side, paper towels lining the floor, a hide on each side, and two dishes (one with clean water and one with some mealworms and a bit of carrot) I'll be working on getting a moist hide in there as well today. Also, I know I need to pick up some calcium powder (Without D3?).

I'll post up pictures of the little guys soon!

If you have any links to any good reads, crash courses, or need to know information, that would be awesome! I'll be reading through lots of threads on here in the meantime I'm looking forward to learning lots!

Wish me luck, I want to give these guys the best care I can!

 

[B&B Geckos]

Hi Anna, welcome to GF. Soooo commendable that you're willing to care for abandoned animals.
It's a good sign that they're both eating. Make sure to identify what type of gecko they are, so that you can create suitable conditions.

Assuming that they are leopard geckos (most likely), it is critical that you have a way of monitor the floor surface temperature. You can do this with a digital probe thermometer (around $8) or a temp gun. Leos absorb heat through their belly, they require about 1/4 of their tank to be at 88-94 degrees, in order to digest and metabolize properly. When in doubt it is preferable that the temperature is lower; your leos will be fine with temps in the 80s, and survive for weeks with temps in the 70s and high 60s. The biggest danger with the heat mat is that it can raise the temperature above the recommended range, which can burn/cook the geckos. The most inexpensive way to regulate the temperature that the mat emits is using a lamp dimmer (found at Lowes or Home Depot, around $10). A thermostat, although more expensive, is preferable however.

To provide water use a gatorade bottle cap...the water should evaporate in about 24 hrs...only fill every other day to prevent bacteria from growing.

Prevent shedding issues (you'll know they're about to shed when their color gets cloudy) by pouring a little water on the paper towel under their warm hide to make it damp. Another option is to soak a paper towel, roll it into a ball and place it in their hide.

Lastly, research how to sex geckos, if they're very young it may be difficult to tell. This is important because if they're both males the may fight to the death. Obviously, if male and female you may eventually end up with more geckos and the male may harass/stress the female. Two females can be housed together, but you must keep an eye out for one bullying the other by taking the other's hiding spot, laying on the other and taking over the feeding dish. Even in this best case scenario, it's best if they're around the same size.

I hope I haven't overwhelmed you with info.
Good luck!