Hides

[Rhian]

Hello!

I'm new to gecko keeping.. and was wondering if someone could give me some advice please ... at the moment both our geckos have a tank each, they have hides on the hot/cooler side of the tank and also a moist hide each. What do you find is the best thing to use as a moist hide? I'm getting a bit worried - Nessy shed his skin about a week after we got him, but Des hasn't yet (we have had them both about a month), and I haven't actually seen them use the moist hide at all. I've looked in pet shops and have only been able to find reptile caves with small holes in the top (and i dont think Des would fit through the hole he's already a little podgy!) so at the moment they just have a box with moist paper towels which get changed every day... I'm not sure if its the box they don't like or if I am doing something wrong, what does everyone use for one of these? And how often are they supposed to shed their skin?

Also, how do you keep the temp down in the cooler end of the tank? At the moment the heat mats are only covering a third of the tank, but the cold end seems to get warm very quickly, I was tempted to put some more smaller vents in the side on the cooler end but then I will worry about them getting too cold!

Sorry for asking so many questions! I just want to make sure I am doing what I can for them

 

[moosassah]

Asking too many questions is the best way to keep your leos healthy!

I would not be concerned about 1 leo not shedding. He will, in time. Some leos do not hang out in the moist hides.

I have 1 female who loves going in her magnetic rock (2 pieces--1 is the chamber for inside the tank, the other sticks to the outside of the tank). I put some eco-earth in the top chamber & keep it moist. This provides all she needs to successfully shed.

My males are happy with wet paper towels. When I notice they turn that dusty color prior to a shed I make sure to keep the towels extra damp.

I will leave the temp question to someone else. Good luck.

 

[Rhian]

Thanks for your help

It looks as though Des is about to shed now - his head is looking dusty coloured so hopefully the paper towels will work ok

Will probably put an extra vent in the cold end to try and keep the temp down a bit as its still far too hot in there.

 

[gothra]

I use plastic containers as their humid hides. You can cut an openning on the side or on top. I have a pic to show, please ignore the towel on top, I put it there to keep the box in shade:

 

[Rhian]

Ooh think I might get some to set up like that then... that would definitely work better than what they have at the moment thank you!