House Gecko Not Behaving

[khisel]

Hey!

I'm more or less new to the forum and to keeping geckos - truth is I was kind of thrown into because someone at work didn't want to keep the guy and I didn't think letting him in the wild after captivity seemed right.

The problem I'm having is the poor guy just doesn't seem to behaving the way I would think he would normally and according to the information I've read.

I have him in a 20 Gallon terrarium with sand substrate (yes, I've read the dangers -even though it says it is edible- and am considering switching soon but I need to find what I want to move to.) I mist everyday and place a couple of pinhead crickets in his cage when he runs out.

From 8am to 8pm I have a sunglo light on that keeps the terrarium right around 80 degrees - I have two thermometers in there. I can't seem to get different temperature spots which may be a problem.

My hygrometers, again I have two in there, say that it is around 50% humidity, which is what I was told to keep it at.

I have a small alligator head in there for decoration which is in the back corner and it seems to be one of his favorite places, towards the back that is. I included some bark from a tree, that I heated to kill pests, and placed it for him to climb on - however I can't say that I've seen him ever climb on it. He does however use it for hiding under.

Finally, on the "cooler" side (again heat variance has not been too successful) I have an old clay pot that is propped up in the front corner that I don't think he ever left for his first week. Last piece is an old binocular cap that I use as a shallow body of water - he is able to fit in it if he were to ever be so inclined.

He seems to stay on the "hotter" side 90% of the time and inside the clay pot the other 10% - he isn't too active, except today when I got in there and moved things around to scoop up poop.

I guess my three hiding places that I've provided are good enough but I read that they were suppose to love climbing and yet I never see him climb or really outside of his hiding spots.

I'd love to see him doing and living but more than that I'm worried that he isn't well. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[tiedxupxinxknots]

is this a leopard gecko..?

 

[khisel]

No, it is a house gecko. Because house gecko forums aren't abundant I figured this was the best forum to post in.

 

[tiedxupxinxknots]

No, it is a house gecko. Because house gecko forums aren't abundant I figured this was the best forum to post in.

Well i dont know much about that species, but for starters take off the sand, being edible or not itll still cause impaction, i hope its not vita or calcium sand...

 

[khisel]

I appreciate your concern. I have already noted my understanding of the possible danger and my intent to change soon. Any other helpful thoughts would be awesome.

 

[Dimidiata]

Soon can be now with papper towel or newspapper. Much better temporary substrate then sand. I would think part of the problem is due to the non heat variant. Normaly we use heating pads to achieve this but im not familiar with the species(i know atleast 8 geckos called house geckos) is it a mediterrainian? Those guys are common in certain areas of the US and SA, may very well be wild. I can asume you will be needing suppliments such as calcium and repvitamins. Cant give you much more info without knowing the exact species.

 

[T-ReXx]

Hey!

I'm more or less new to the forum and to keeping geckos - truth is I was kind of thrown into because someone at work didn't want to keep the guy and I didn't think letting him in the wild after captivity seemed right.

The problem I'm having is the poor guy just doesn't seem to behaving the way I would think he would normally and according to the information I've read.

I have him in a 20 Gallon terrarium with sand substrate (yes, I've read the dangers -even though it says it is edible- and am considering switching soon but I need to find what I want to move to.) I mist everyday and place a couple of pinhead crickets in his cage when he runs out.

From 8am to 8pm I have a sunglo light on that keeps the terrarium right around 80 degrees - I have two thermometers in there. I can't seem to get different temperature spots which may be a problem.

My hygrometers, again I have two in there, say that it is around 50% humidity, which is what I was told to keep it at.

I have a small alligator head in there for decoration which is in the back corner and it seems to be one of his favorite places, towards the back that is. I included some bark from a tree, that I heated to kill pests, and placed it for him to climb on - however I can't say that I've seen him ever climb on it. He does however use it for hiding under.

Finally, on the "cooler" side (again heat variance has not been too successful) I have an old clay pot that is propped up in the front corner that I don't think he ever left for his first week. Last piece is an old binocular cap that I use as a shallow body of water - he is able to fit in it if he were to ever be so inclined.

He seems to stay on the "hotter" side 90% of the time and inside the clay pot the other 10% - he isn't too active, except today when I got in there and moved things around to scoop up poop.

I guess my three hiding places that I've provided are good enough but I read that they were suppose to love climbing and yet I never see him climb or really outside of his hiding spots.

I'd love to see him doing and living but more than that I'm worried that he isn't well. Any help would be appreciated.

1) Sand is inappropriate for a house gecko. They are tropical species not desert. Remove it immediately. I'd recommend cocofiber as a replacement, or fertilizer-free potting soil.

2) He's not active because he's too cold. A hot spot of 88-95 degrees is required, with the cool end being 74-80F. Replace the nightglow and increase temps.

3) Humidity is too low. Mist more often and replace substrate. 60-80% is more appropriate.

4)Add plants. These geckos are originally from tropical regions. They need foliage to feel secure.

Overall you're keeping a tropical humidity loving gecko like a species from an arid, cool region. He is NOT happy I assure you of that.

 

[StellarExotics]

It honestly sounds exactly like a house gecko to me...

 

[ForTozs]

If you are talking about Mediterranean house geckos, I think the main thing you are overlooking is that they are very nocturnal. I never see them out during the day basking or anything. I know nothing about these except what I have observed outside my house. You definitely should remove the sand, and you might wanna even go with belly heat, since once again, they don't bask in the wild. The gecko might be fine without any plants but they do like hiding in tight spaces all day, so you should provide lots of cover. I see most around here on brick houses, so a clay dish might be a great hide. The humidity in my area often approaches 100%, and though I don't necessarily recommend humidity this high, you might do some good putting a moist paper towel in there or providing a moist hide. 50% seems a little low. If you think about it they came from the Mediterranean on ships and populated port cities. You might use subtropical port areas as a guideline for habitat preference but a 75-88 gradient seems about right. If your talking about a different species, I'm sorry, and don't listen to anything I just said. Plus, I have only kept these for short periods of observation, so anybody with further experience can chime in. Good luck with your project. I've thought about doing something with these guys myself.

 

[Dimidiata]

If you take a plant dish(the thing that goes under the plant pots) and tap a piece of the edge out, you can stand it up against the side of the tank. He can go in and out of it through the hole and its a nice tight space, just be sure its secure.

 

[leezard]

Add plants fake or real. Get the humidity higher. Make sure there is moisture on the plants. This is where they drink from. Keep temps up never drop below 70 at night. Day time should go up in the 90s. Radiant heat seemed to always work best for me night bulbs and ceramic heaters, I never used belly heat with them but it might not hurt.

Get rid of the sand! Moss will work well as a substrate also. I never found mine hiding in 'hides' when I had them they would always be behind plant leaves. I will say again add plants and more plants and vines etc.

When they start barking a lot you know you have a happy house gecko.

 

[T-ReXx]

Belly heat is pointless for an arboreal gecko. Healthy house geckos spend little time on the ground. Radiant heat in the form of a red bulb, ceramic heat emitter, or radiant heat panel is the way to go.