HELP! Heating!

[Kelkiie]

I've had my leopard gecko Cleo for a few weeks now, she was underweight and hadn't eaten in a month when I got her. She was my rescue gecko. She has quite a story. She's possibly 3-4 years old, weighs maybe 9-11 grams she doesn't sit still enough on the scale.

Since I've had her she's gained weight and her tail is more thick than when I got her.

Anyway I have a problem, she's soon going into shed, she has a moist hide set up, with soil and paper towel since I can't get any moss for her yet. She doesn't have any other heat source but a light. I know I need a heat source for her belly and her heating pad is now being used for her last owners snake.
Is there anything I could use in the mean time so I can get her a proper heating source. I take her out and put her on a warm hot water bottle and she loves to just lay there while I scratch her back.

Sometimes at night instead of going to her regular hide she'll sleep in her moist hide, maybe because it's warmer? But she doesn't seem to mind not having heat.. she poops fine, and eats fine.

So any suggestions as to what I can do?
Is there any website where I can find cheap but reliable heat sources?
I'm new to the reptile world and I want to do the best I can, I fell in love with Cleo and I plan on getting her a buddy in the future.


Sorry for the long post, I'm just concerned for my little one.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

If she only weighed 9-10 grams, she would not be alive.........

Paper towel is fine in the moist hide.

A human heating pad will work under her enclosure until you can get a regular heat mat. Just be sure to monitor temps on the floor surface with an accurate device, such as a digital probe thermometer or temp gun.

 

[Kelkiie]

9-10 was just what I quickly got on the scale, she doesn't like to stay still once she's put down she wants to explore every place possible.
What is a healthy weight of a gecko? Google hasn't been my friend while doing gecko research.

I don't have a proper thermometer and I'm not home for the weekend so my boyfriend can set that up for her. Would a very thick layers of paper towel balance the temperature a bit so it wouldn't be too warm for her?

 

[Terrain_pull up]

yes, a few extra layers of paper towel could be used to reduce heat if needed but I wouldn't do that unless you know for sure what the temp was in the first place so that you're not reducing the temperatures if you don't need to. You can get a cheap probe digital thermometer from pretty much any pet store that sells reptiles for like $10-15. You can also get a UTH (under tank heater) that is designed for reptiles that need belly heat from the same place most likely for about $30. The basic UTH from a manufacturer like Zoomed can be just plugged into the wall without a thermostat or dimmer/rheostat switch and it should be fine as for a preset heat output. If it looks like it's getting too hot you can do your paper towel layer trick.

In the meantime, your heat lamp making a warm spot can do in a pinch

 

[im faster]

as for weight depends on age..

 

[Kelkiie]

Thank you! Cleo is weird though, she will only sit in the light spot if I put her there or if I take out her cave then put it back once she's in a warm spot. It's like she doesn't really mind that she doesn't have heat, but when I take her out she's really cold, I hold her against me to warm her up she'll chill on my shoulder and chest for a long time and she loves to just lay on my hot water bottle when I have it filled.

She's about 4, so what would be a healthy weight for her?

 

[Terrain_pull up]

I'd say somewhere between 50-70 grams depending on how long she is. Most of my adult geckos are in this range with a couple slightly less or over. I have one beast that's tipping the scales at 111 grams now and still putting on weight and a small female that hovers between 45-55 grams but she's just a small gecko even compared to the length of the other adults

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Set the heat pad on low until you can confirm the temps. Most geckos are above 50 grams in adulthood, but not all. It's really overall proportions. If she is extremely thin now, go slow in bringing her weight up (as in overfeeding), to avoid other issues. She will be more active and have a better feeding response once she isn't cold.

 

[Kelkiie]

Well whenever I can I'll find a tupperware container that will fit on the scale and weigh her that way. I'd probably get a much better results.

Cleo will eat and look for more after she's done eating what I've given her, she has plenty of energy when I take her out I'll put her on my bed and supervise her, she's very adventurous and active. But I'm sure when she has proper heating I'll see her come out of her cave much more often, she peeks out through out the day but never really comes out.

The first time I fed her when I got her, I ended up giving her 15 crickets, she devoured them, but regurgitated them the next day.. the owner before me told me that that was her usual intake and was fine, but then again I didn't think about the fact that she never ate anything for a month. I've learned since then and feed her 10 or less crickets a time. Just depends on how much I can get on a piece of egg carton. Which is usually 5-6. Her appetite has increased very well and she's gaining weight incredibly fast.
I'd attach pictures of when I first got her and pictures I took only a few days ago, there's quite a difference but unfortunately I'm not home at the moment and Tumblr is down, and I have a post of them.


I'm sorry for such long posts.. I have a problem with doing that and not noticing until I actually look at the post..

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Sounds like you're on the right track Kelsey

 

[Kelkiie]

Thank you, means a lot really. I know I don't have the proper tools to give her everything she needs but I'm still trying my hardest to keep her healthy and happy.

Now pictures since Tumblr is working again!

These pictures were taken a few days apart from each other, I can't seem to find older ones on Tumblr of her stretched out but her tail has gained some fat to it.

 

[roger]

Thank you, means a lot really. I know I don't have the proper tools to give her everything she needs but I'm still trying my hardest to keep her healthy and happy.

Now pictures since Tumblr is working again!

These pictures were taken a few days apart from each other, I can't seem to find older ones on Tumblr of her stretched out but her tail has gained some fat to it.

U have me confused.You make an attempt to rescue a leo and then dont provide the essentials.you seem to be ill prepared for your reptiles.Before u get more animlas u need to have the equiptment and tools for a proper husbundry regiment.

 

[Kelkiie]

U have me confused.You make an attempt to rescue a leo and then dont provide the essentials.you seem to be ill prepared for your reptiles.Before u get more animlas u need to have the equiptment and tools for a proper husbundry regiment.

I have everything but a heat source at the moment, she's fed regularly, taken out so she can run around, and all around loved, because before I took her, she was fed maybe once a week or more. And after her heat pad was taken from her she was shoved into a small tupperware container before she was mine.. I plan to have everything I need when I can, which will be very soon if things work out for me right now. She's doing fine except she doesn't have 24/7 belly heat.

 

[roger]

I have everything but a heat source at the moment, she's fed regularly, taken out so she can run around, and all around loved, because before I took her, she was fed maybe once a week or more. And after her heat pad was taken from her she was shoved into a small tupperware container before she was mine.. I plan to have everything I need when I can, which will be very soon if things work out for me right now. She's doing fine except she doesn't have 24/7 belly heat.

UUmm what do u mean if everything works out for you?What does that have anyhting to do with taking a leo in that u can t even afford to give the basic needs..thats the most important and basic points of husbundry warmth.Get her a human heat pad or a temporary heat bulb.Why are u taking this leo in when u cant even afford to give it the basic heating needs.Give this leo to someone who has researched and can give the leo basic needs

 

[Kelkiie]

UUmm what do u mean if everything works out for you?What does that have anyhting to do with taking a leo in that u can t even afford to give the basic needs..thats the most important and basic points of husbundry warmth.Get her a human heat pad or a temporary heat bulb.Why are u taking this leo in when u cant even afford to give it the basic heating needs.Give this leo to someone who has researched and can give the leo basic needs

I'm having money problems right now, I have multiple animals and they are always first priority I get what they need. But a purpose heat pad is too much right now.
Have you read all of the posts on here?
Currently I am not home and my boyfriend is using a hot water bottle and controlling the temperature for her. If it's too hot then thick paper towel, not warm enough add hot water until it's stable. I'm trying the best I can with what I h

 

[roger]

I'm having money problems right now, I have multiple animals and they are always first priority I get what they need. But a purpose heat pad is too much right now.
Have you read all of the posts on here?
Currently I am not home and my boyfriend is using a hot water bottle and controlling the temperature for her. If it's too hot then thick paper towel, not warm enough add hot water until it's stable. I'm trying the best I can with what I h

Yes I have read your posts! A human heat pad costs $20 here in canada.If u cannot afford to give your leo the basic neccesity of warmth you shouldnt have taken the leo in

 

[Kelkiie]

Yes I have read your posts! A human heat pad costs $20 here in canada.If u cannot afford to give your leo the basic neccesity of warmth you shouldnt have taken the leo in

I know that I don't have the most proper things for her, but she's doing fine right now.
She eats fine, she comes out at night and does her gecko things, poops and pees fine. She basks in the light when she wants. Would you have rather have her neglected completely? Because that's what could have happened. So I don't think I'm doing that bad of a job..

 

[roger]

I know that I don't have the most proper things for her, but she's doing fine right now.
She eats fine, she comes out at night and does her gecko things, poops and pees fine. She basks in the light when she wants. Would you have rather have her neglected completely? Because that's what could have happened. So I don't think I'm doing that bad of a job..

What kind of bulb do u have?.There are all sorts of cheap TEMPORARY ways u can heat.Infrared bulbs,heat packs.As long as her warm end is warm to the touch thats good enouh heat.You need to give her a permanent method of heat eventually

 

[im faster]

Well im mixed on this one. .

Yes before rescuing her you SHOULD have had the 4 basics. tank food hides and heat.
belly heat is VERY important.

But she sounds like she is in a better place than she was. so good for you.

my advice is to get on craigslist. AND SEARCH SEARCH SEARCH until you find a heat pad or actual undertank heat pad. you should be able to get one for 5 bucks.

 

[Kelkiie]

I have a normal light for now, but honestly she seem fine for the time being. I'm looking online everywhere for cheap reliable heat pads I've found plenty, but shipping costs make it out of wack. My grandmother bought me one of those visa gift cards ($25) today so I could find something cheap enough. They are quite convenient.

Well im mixed on this one. .

Yes before rescuing her you SHOULD have had the 4 basics. tank food hides and heat.
belly heat is VERY important.

But she sounds like she is in a better place than she was. so good for you.

my advice is to get on craigslist. AND SEARCH SEARCH SEARCH until you find a heat pad or actual undertank heat pad. you should be able to get one for 5 bucks.

She has around 7-10 gut loaded crickets daily since she's underweight, clean water daily, a cave, a ledge and moist hide since she's soon going to shed, she just doesn't have belly heat.

Thanks for the craigslist, I've never used it so I didn't think about it!