New from Colorado!

[judagrmn]

Just found the site after searching for gecko forums on google. My name is Josh and I got this gecko from a friend the other day free and he has no clue what kind it is. Over a year old and eats a dozen crickets a week, clear light is day and red light is night is all he really told me to do with it so I am here to learn so I can make his life in the tank more enjoyable if at all possible .

 

[prettyinpink]

Welcome!!!!

 

[ajveachster]

Welcome-
You will find a ton of information on this site. A few quick tips to get you started.
1. Looks like an albino. My first guess is bell, but I kinda suck at the guess this morph stuff.
2. Leos don't need lights, instead they need belly heat.
3. Based on your pics you may get involved in the great sand debate.
4. Supplements for my crickets please!!!

Run a couple searches on the topics I mentioned, and you can probably start to get a handle on what you need. The gecko looks healthy, so that's a bonus. You don't have to start with an animal you have to try to cure from disease or bad husbandry.

 

[gixxer3420]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Bbugs]

Welcome. Wonderful gecko. You need an undertank heater. The lights are stressful. As for the substrate...lol. If you have to use that substrate, feed your Leo in a different tank. If not, switch to paper towl, newspaper, or even tile. The reason for this is a thing called impaction. If a Leo eats the substrate, it can fill up in their digestive system and lead to complications, which almost always lead to death.

 

[Metal_Gecko]

Welcome to the forum!
Hope you like geckos, cause your first is just a gateway-gecko...

-Wes

 

[judagrmn]

Welcome. Wonderful gecko. You need an undertank heater. The lights are stressful. As for the substrate...lol. If you have to use that substrate, feed your Leo in a different tank. If not, switch to paper towl, newspaper, or even tile. The reason for this is a thing called impaction. If a Leo eats the substrate, it can fill up in their digestive system and lead to complications, which almost always lead to death.

VERY useful info. I was wondering what ajveachster meant by the great sand debate is this it? To use sand or not to use sand? I have so many questions and know this is just the introduction thread so I think I will move on and post some questions in the other gecko thread. I have already posted a "name that gecko thread" and was told it is a Tremper but someone mentioned Leo in this thread...Tremper google search pulled up a few similar so should I be set on thats what kind it is? Thanks everyone for all the help. I do have some supplements called REPTIVITE is that what I should be using?

 

[Bbugs]

Yes, this is the great sand debate he mentioned. To use or not to use. In my opinion, better safe than sorry! I would recommend slate as it heats well and looks good! As for your other questions, don't be afraid to ask! We are ALL always learning! ;D

 

[WulfSC]

Hello, and welcome to GF!

 

[Northstar Herp]

Hey welcome to the forum. The terms "Tremper" and "Leo" aren't mutually exclusive terms. There are three different strains of albino within leopard geckos, so when somebody says it's a tremper, they mean that it's a Tremper albino leopard gecko

The great sand debate is primarily one that centers around the chance of a leopard gecko swallowing some sand while they're pouncing on a feeder insect. If they swallow enough they could become impacted with the stuff and that can lead to expensive bills for you and death for them. Sand impaction is considered more dangerous for hatchlings and juveniles, but a lot of people just play better safe than sorry like mentioned above, and use something else.

Just take some time and browse around the forum. Chances are you'll learn most everything you need to know by reading old threads. Checkout the caresheet section also. Pay particular attention to info about calcium supplementation and heating methods. Leopard geckos are one of the easiest herps to keep, but they can be messed up by bad husbandry (how you keep them).

Good luck. :main_thumbsup: You're in at a good place with very helpful members, so I'm sure you're do fine with your new gecko.

And Metal_Gecko is right, they're a gateway herp. I started four years ago with a tremper albino like yours that my wife bought for the kids. Now I have five rhacodactylus, six Uroplatus a carpet python and a gand of leos that I produced myself.