Lost in Space??

[blizzard]

I recently heard a gecko died from being in a hundred gallon tank due to not remembering where it's uth or water dish was. I thought this was completely ridiculous and told the person they didn't know how to care for his animal. But he insisted that geckos can get lost in space and forget their surroundings if they are too spread out or the enclosure is too big!

I call BS but you tell me...

 

[fallen_angel]

Hmmm.. I really don't know, but I would think that they couldn't, just because leos always crawl ALL over the cage when they first get into it, and they rub their scent EVERYWHERE. So it seems to me that they would recognize their own scents and know the entire perimeter. I don't see why they wouldn't be able to find their water; if they are thirsty, wouldn't they just keep looking for water until they found it? I suppose that the gecko could possibly stay on the unheated side and not realize that the other side is heated, since it's so far from one side to the other. But I also don't know how you could get the temperature gradient to be just right in a cage so big. Just some thoughts.

 

[rcobourn]

Of course they'd get lost in a 100 gallon tank... they never live in anything bigger than a 55 gallon in the wild.

 

[MSMD]

My thoughts on this are:

the UTH was not the appropriate size to heat that size enclosure??

didn't this person realize the health of the animal was declining before death??

 

[LeapinLizards]

I honestly don't believe the size of the enclosure is what can harm the gecko, it's the enclosure not being properly equipped, and the gecko not properly introduced.

I have a quartet that live, year round, in a 75 gallon. They have plants, 6 hides (moist and dry), two under tank heaters that provide belly heat for over half of it, a lay box, a couple food bowls, and 2 water bowls.

When I introduced them all to the new setup, I observed for almost 2 hours...watched them walk side to side, high to low, then they all 3 cuddled up into a hide on the warm side. When I would catch them out within the first few days, I would set them down by their food bowls, and their water bowls to make sure they knew they were there. I would also entice them around the cage with meal worms, making sure they had gone everywhere.

As an extra, I have a couple heat lamps just in case I'm worried that the air temp is too cool, but being that it seems I'm about as cold blooded as they are, our house is usually at least 72 degrees! :main_rolleyes:

 

[Starwild]

I have always been a big believer in keeping herps in separate tanks, but three or four in a 75 gallon sounds so darn big I'd almost think it would work, given lots of hides and warm spots. Of course if I had a 75 I'd be using it for a beardie. :main_thumbsup:

I doubt they'd be unable to find food unless he fed like five crickets at a time and the poor thing just couldn't catch them in all that space. That would be like tossing a sub sandwich on a football field...only it's tied to a moving remote-controlled car and you have to catch it if you want to eat.

But if you have mealies in a dish, they'd be in one spot.

 

[malt_geckos]

I don't think so....we have geckos get lost in our house/ appt and find their way back to the room perfectly fine...the house is much bigger than a 100 gallon tank. i have a feeling this person just didn't know how to care for a gecko.

 

[LeapinLizards]

I have always been a big believer in keeping herps in separate tanks, but three or four in a 75 gallon sounds so darn big I'd almost think it would work, given lots of hides and warm spots. Of course if I had a 75 I'd be using it for a beardie. :main_thumbsup:

I got the geckos not really thinking I wanted to breed. The female I got laid a clutch right after I got her, and one just hatched (other was infertile). When I laid eyes on that little one...I KNEW I was going to start breeding. As soon as time and business allows, I'll be building a breeding rack

But in all honesty, the geckos in the 75 really are flourishing. I know they have no problems finding food and water!

 

[leonut]

its always possible.