My Leopard Gecko Terrarium

[LeoMartin]

What do you guy think of my leo's terrarium it is 10 gallons and he is a baby.

 

[Amber7399]

looks good. but i have a few questions martin, if you don't mind? what substrate are you usings. it's hard for me tell on the picture.. and do you have a calcium dish for little martin?

 

[LeoMartin]

I use Calci sand and I also put some moss in there they said its makes them feel comfortable and i put calcium on his crickets and worms.

 

[Amber7399]

"they" being the un-named petstore?
~k~ Martin if you don't mind i'm gonna give you a few pointers for little Martin
1. No Sand, you don't want to rick lilttle martin geting impacted
2. even though you are dusting his crickets & mealies he should still have a bowl of calcium at all times
3. does he have a humid hide?

 

[LeoMartin]

I dont where i should put the bowl it seems to small to put it anywhere else and petsmart said sand was find he doesn't eat it.

Ok i found a small extra bowl and had room thank you and put some calcium in it i will take a picture

 

[nats]

Petsmart is missinformed.
They DO eat the sand.
The calci sand is said to be "digestible", it is NOT!!!!! dont believe it.

 

[Lena]

Everyone here's going to give you grief about the sand.

And for good reason. It's far too risky! Don't take offense, we're just trying to help you.

Chain pet stores just wanted to sell you that bag of sand. Trust everyone here, paper towel or newspaper is best.

 

[LeoMartin]

Ok.But should I just dump all of the sand out and put paper towels in there

 

[LeoMartin]

Hi everyone so I changed Martins terrarium sand to paper towels but i still kept the sand in a bag.

 

[djfunz]

Looks good bro. I've also read on here that Tile is a good alternative aesthetically to paper towel and newspaper provided it's not porus.

 

[LeoMartin]

I will just stick with paper towels...

 

[Kwyk]

I switched from Eco earth stuff to newspaper and then to Repti carpet.
I really like repti carpet,and maybe i just imagine that but with repti carpet i never had problems with unshedded toes,i think the carpet helps them to get it off.
But maybe i just think that.

 

[leonut]

looks geat! keep up the good work.:main_thumbsup: and kwyk, it entirely possible that it helps them get sheds on their toes unstuck. i've had mine on repti-carpet most of her life and never had problems with stuck sheds.

 

[LeoMartin]

Thanks you guys.

 

[LeoMartin]

He likes the new paper towels.

 

[moosassah]

Hi & welcome. You can use a drink cap or pill bottle cap to put the calcium in because you only need a small amount.

I didn't see any replies to the humid hide. Again a very simple container (deli cup) with a hole cut into it (burn the edges if they are sharp to smooth them out). Keep moist paper towels or eco earth or the moss in there. When you leo is ready to shed he will turn a powdery color. After he sheds be sure to check him for stuck pieces especially on the toes.

 

[LeoMartin]

Ok

 

[nats]

Hi everyone so I changed Martins terrarium sand to paper towels but i still kept the sand in a bag.

Hi LeoMartin

I am happy to see that you got rid of that sand (your little leo thanks you to!!).
I noticed a few other problems w/ your set up and thought I would offer some suggestions:
First, your thermometers are up too high. You want to monitor temp close to the floor, at leo level :main_yes:
Dont forget, you need 75 to 80F on the "cool" side, and 90 to 92 on the hot side. And it's best to monitor the temps on the floor, where your leo's belly is.
Also, you need to have some sort of "humid hide".
I like the ones made by Exo terra and ZooMed. They have a lid, with the enterence hole on top. This gives them their privacy, pluse you can put the damp moss in there, and he wont be able to scatter it on the floor of the terrarium. If I can find a link, I will post it so you can see what I'm talking about.
You may also want to put a small shallow dish of calcium in there somewhere.

One other thing, that cactus may not be a good idea. I know it looks nice, but it could be very dangerous for your leo.


P.S. Found it!!! these hides are THE BEST invention I have seen for a moist hide for leos. VERY highly recommended:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=6016+10931+15416&pcatid=15416

 

[LeoMartin]

The cactus if fake though he likes to climb on it
and I moved the thermometer and hygrometer lower to the floor and i don't have any room to put a hide box in thre it is only 10 galllons

 

[nats]

The cactus if fake though he likes to climb on it
and I moved the thermometer and hygrometer lower to the floor and i don't have any room to put a hide box in thre it is only 10 galllons

The one I linked to is only like 5'' (the small one).
You need to find room because a moist humid hide box is a requirement.

Your leo will not be able to shed properly without it. :main_no:

Even if something else has to go to make room, you do need to have it.