My new Rescue

[Crewdog00]

This is Leo my new Leopard Gecko. He is a rescue from a local pet store.

New Home:

 

[Kaila]

Congrats on your new gecko!

Is that sand in the enclosure?
Do you have a heat pad?

 

[Crewdog00]

I don't use a heat pad because I am hitting all the temps without one. I was gonna add one but then it would be too hot.

And yes I'm using sand from the dessert kit I got from the pet store.

 

[Kaila]

I don't use a heat pad because I am hitting all the temps without one. I was gonna add one but then it would be too hot.

You can get rid of the heat lamps. You need to have a heat pad.

And yes I'm using sand from the dessert kit I got from the pet store.

Sand can cause impaction, the blockage of the digestive tract, which is almost always fatal. I recommend taking the sand out as soon as possible. Tile, newspaper, and paper towels are safe to use.

 

[Crewdog00]

I've done a lot of research and read many care guides that disagree with you about sand and heat pads. Leo has been living in fine sand since he was born, or at least that's what I was told, and hasn't had any issues. I don't want to get rid of the lamps because I'm simulating day time hours and night time.

I understand impaction, but a lot of people haven't had issues so I will assume it differs from lizard to lizard.

 

[Kaila]

You can use sand if you wish, it is your choice... The gecko needs a heat pad to properly digest its food though.

 

[Daylight_Thieves]

You can use a light- that is not a heat light- to simulate night and day but Kaila is right. Using a heat pad helps with digestion and if you are going to keep him on sand, I would personally want to help with digestion as much as possible.

I will not warn you about sand- but I will say having a leo on sand also inhibits shedding and will dull their colors. If you want your leo to be vibrant, getting them off sand is the best choice...

 

[Crewdog00]

I will get him a heat pad after work but let me ask u this.

Should I place it under his favorite hide which is 85 degrees already? And what if it gets too hot? Over 95 degrees?

I don't mind getting him a heat pad as long as it doesn't get to hot. I'm using a 10 Gallon reptile tank.

 

[Kaila]

If you have a thermostat or lamp dimmer, the heat pad won't get too hot.

 

[Daylight_Thieves]

You need the tank to have a heat gradiant- 90-93* on the hot side and 73-77* on the cooler side. So putting it under the hot hide would be good. One way to keep the heat from spiking too high is propping the tank corners up on something to get more air circulation to the pad. Heat pads are typically only supposed to raise the temps 10 degrees higher than the air temps.

One thing I might consider purchasing is a IR temp gun. You can get a decent one for about $20 and it is super helpful when you want to know the exact temps INSIDE the hides. I daily monitor the hot and cold sides of my tanks just to make sure the heat pad doesn't act up. It also can tell you the skin temperature of your leo too.

 

[Crewdog00]

I'm gonna get a UTH for a 10 gallon tank and a thermostat to make the warm side 90 degrees then.

Thanks for opening my eyes.

 

[katie_]

Does it count as a rescue if you bought it?

 

[Crewdog00]

No. I got him for free cause someone left him outside the store overnight

 

[katie_]

So how do you know he was on sand since the day he was born??

 

[Crewdog00]

The owner of the pet shop sold the set and gecko to the people that left it back on his door step. It was a special order about a year ago.

 

[Crewdog00]

FYI: Leo is a female.

New name is Annie like orphan Annie.

 

[Laska]

is it calci-sand? I hope not- they will lick it up for vitamins if it does well you've heard what others have said.... most leo care sheets from pet stores dont say what sand... Just my 2 cents

Cool little leo and congrats, and its awesome you rescued little Annie!

 

[Crewdog00]

Not on calci sand.