Introducing Raven and Orchid

[Akari_32]

Raven is getting big and growing like a weed, so I figured now would be a good time to starting showing her her future roommate, Orchid. Orchid's still got about an inch and half on Raven, but I want them completely comfortably with eachother before I do much else. I really need to get that tank built-- it's mocking me, all that glass in the spare bedroom!!

So anyways, I first took Orchid to Raven's tank and let them see eachother through the glass. Orchid was too busy trying to get away and explore the room like the naughty brat she is to even pay attention to Raven, who was stalking her in a slightly defensive but mostly "it's-moving-it-must-be-food!!" sort of posture. She quickly lost interest once she realized what I was holding wasn't anything to eat, and wasn't going to bother her.

Later I brought Raven to Orchid's, and did the same thing. Raven was curious for about 2 seconds, thinkin once again with her stomach, until she reached out with her little foot to grab onto the rim of the tank and try to climb up and investigate, and realized there was glass there and she couldn't. Then she wanted to try and climb the glass. You're not that kind of gecko, sweetie *facepalm*

At first, Orchid stopped and stared all wide eyed, like "What is *that*???", but lost interest when she realized it wasn't anything fun (which only took about a half second). Then she just ignored Raven and tried to get me to take her out so she could play on the table.

I've also rearranged Amelia's tank and Raven's tank (they are back to back) so that Raven can get used to the constant presence of another gecko. I've changed the way the paper towels lay so that the extra goes up the opposite wall, and moved the hides to the opposite wall, as well. Before, Raven could only see Ameila if she climbed up on top of her hides, now she can see her so long as they both are out and about. Amelia is more or less blind, so I'm not worried about her too much in this new arrangement.

So far I think we are off to a good start. As Raven gets a little bigger, I'll start to introduce them with out glass between them.

The tank I'm bullding will be 19 by 28, and 13 inches tall, I think. Made to fit inside an old TV stand. Will have two levels, and at least two hides of each type. Plenty of space for two spoiled girlies!

 

[Poppy243]

I introduced my girls in a tub I used for warm baths and other things, as neutral territory. Neither one of them either acknowledged each other! Clementine, who is literally half the size of Poppy, just kept running around trying to climb out of the corners of the tub. Poppy did the same thing, but with somewhat less enthusiasm, and eventually Clem would run right underneath Poppy in her circuit around the tub! Poppy would jump back and look at Clem like she was an annoying little sibling lol. They've interacted since and Clem seems to possibly a more dominant personality, or maybe Poppy is just annoyed by the silly little orange thing that runs under her feet, but they don't fight or show any signs of defensiveness, so that makes me happy!

 

[Akari_32]

Orchid is really laid back most of the time, but when she's out, and she sees something she wants, she's going to go get I no matter what you do. I usually end up putting her back in her tank after about 5 minutes because she just gets too determined and knows how to problem solve a little too well LOL

Raven is just all the time going, looking for food (she ate 30 crickets and 50 meal worms in two days last week!!), thinking with her little stomach. But, once she realizes somethings not to eat, she quickly loses interest. The first time she saw the other two geckos (a few weeks ago for Amelia, and last night with Orchid) she kind of stood off the ground a little, not really hunched, but obviously not relaxed either, and her tail went like it was going to wave, but never did. Then, the other gecko isn't food so she doesn't really care. It's like she's hunting, but more serious. I'm certain most of it is because she's smaller than the other two. As far as behavior goes, she's like Orchid, but much worse, and not as fast lol She likes to get into everything, but thankfully doesn't make a run for it, like Orchid usually does

I think after a few more tries, Raven will be ok with Orchid. Is a 10 gallon ok to introduce them to eachother in? The next bigger thing would be the bath tub, but I feel like its too big.

 

[Akari_32]

I decided the girls were ready to meet face to face tonight! They did very well, no chasing or aggressive behavior of any kind. At one point, Orchid did hunch up a little, but I think it was more because Raven still has a "jump and run for your life" reaction toward new things, and they were both in the same corner of the tank.

Well, at one point, Orchid did rattle her tail, but Raven gave no reaction (she was too busy worrying about being cooped up in that small tank for play time), and after a quick poke, Orchid stopped and never did it again. I think she really was just more looking for a reaction from Raven, rather than trying to be a brat or anything.

Raven is a bit intimidated by Orchids size, and was kinda of weirded out by her, but over all she did great. All Orchid wanted to do was lick her and figure out what the heck that jumpy little thing was, and at every touch Raven would jump forward, and look around like "WHATWASTHAT?????" and then continued exploring. As long as Orchid kept her tounge to herself, Raven was ok around her. Raven still has a few inches to go, and the tank isn't anywhere near ready yet, so we've got plenty of time to grow out and get used to other geckos being around.

 

[Akari_32]

Ugh, second encounter did not go as well :/ Orchid hissed and ratted her tail and over all was just grumpy! In my quick attempt to scoop her up before she took a bite out of Raven, I saw what I kind of thought were pores on her underside!! Uh oh... That could explain the grumpiness.... The only real life comparison of a male reptile is my Uro, and the other other adult Leo I have to compare is Amelia, who can't be handled. Though I could take the towels out of her wet hide and corral her in there and lift her up in that and look through the bottom of the wet hide... I've also got online pics, which all appear to completely smooth, not even mini-pores or anything. The breeder I got Orchid from (Top Hat Geckos) did say that temp sexing snows doesn't always work. I'll have to wrangle the little brat and get some pics for you guys. If she turns out to be a male, that would really put a damper on things! >.<

 

[Dinosaur!]

that does sound like mal behavior! please get vent pics as soon as you can! ill even try to help sex them with you (I help sex the leos at my local reptile store on occasion for the owner)

 

[Akari_32]

Will do! Raven is so curious about Orchid, and Orchid all grump-butt, "I'm not talking to anyone!" Give me a minute, I'll see what I can do.

 

[Dinosaur!]

I looked at the pic of orchid eating in that cat bowl on your other post, and I am pretty sure that I see a hemipenal bulge at the base of (his?) tail... I guess we will see for sure when you get pictures up!

 

[Akari_32]

Too a closer look, and by golly that's a male if I ever seen one! Crap crap crap!

A friend of mine on another forum warned me of late blooming males. This sucker is almost a year old!

 

[Dinosaur!]

ahhh! congratulations! its a boy! ... sorry I couldn't resist... that bottom pic definitely confirms it as a male! well there goes your two-gecko tank idea. sorry about your luck... well now you have a little boy with a pretty flower name...

 

[Akari_32]

The first pic is more clear, but the second one contrasts better, so i picked both Well, Raven'll have a big tank all to herself, I guess! She loves to have all kinds of stuff to play on. I'll do more with Orchid's tank and make it more fun, too. Also need to fix the heating situation since its now permemant and it's getting colder.

Made a joke to my friend on FB about renaming Orchid to Envy (everyones favorite gender confused palm tree from FMA ) LOL I kind of like it, actually! Other options are Beast Boy and Toothless

 

[Dinosaur!]

All of those names are adorable! haha! at least your accepting Orchid's decision to be a transgender nicely, and not freaking out!

 

[Akari_32]

If you had my group of animals, you'd learn to take things in stride LOL General consensus on Facebook is Envy, so Envy it is ;D

 

[Dinosaur!]

I like it! haha! still an all around interesting turn of events for the day, huh? this proves that geckos aren't boring pets!

 

[Akari_32]

None of my pets are boring, thank god! Rescued, one eyed goldfish, crazed, lunatic dogs, gender changing reptiles Never a dull moment at my house LOL

 

[Dinosaur!]

same here and more! my parents are divorced, so I have a total of 17 pets strewn between two houses, including snakes, geckos, show dogs, aggressive cats, and many rescue animals thrown in! but all of my reptile babies stay with me at my moms (as long as she doesn't have to touch them she doesn't care!)

 

[Akari_32]

I've got about 20 goldfish (spread over 365 gallons of goldfish dedicated waters), most of them rescues from petstores and the fair, a few bettas, and a heavily planted community tank, three dogs (one a rescue in its own right-- they were going to put all the puppies down!!), and my Uro and geckos I've also had rabbits I got from the neighbor-- saved them from going to a horrible home when my elderly neighbor couldn't care for them anymore. I estimated them to be around 8 or 9 when they finally died-- some kind of super rabbits, they were! I think I had them for like 7 years? If I had more time and space (and no mom in the same house ), I'd have snakes, rats, more dogs, rabbits, and more tanks LOL