New leopard gecko owner from U.K.

[Suprakeith]

Hi I have just joined the forum, as got my misses a leopard gecko Sunday and thought be nice to join forum for support and to increase knowledge. I myself have had snakes for over 20years but this is my 1st gecko.
Few questions I would like to ask please,
1. How long does it take for them to settle into new home?
Reason ask as he (i say he but he unsexed at moment) spends all his time in his hide and hasn't been that intrested in meal worms, did offer him 3 crickets yesterday and he ate all 3 fine.
Here is couple pics of him from Sunday picking him up and seeing new home for 1st time

 

[Yvonne G]

Aw, what a pretty little thing. Hi, and welcome to the Forum! You've come to the right place for help with your new gecko. I'm sure someone will be along shortly to answer your questions.

 

[acpart]

Welcome to the forum. It can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for them to get comfortable. Some leopard geckos seem to spend all their time in their hide no matter what (remember, the gecko is nocturnal, so it wouldn't be unusual for it to spend the days in the hide sleeping). It can take them awhile to start eating, but they can go for awhile without eating (you'd be surprised how long some of them go without losing any weight). One thing I highly recommend is for you to change the substrate for 2 reasons:
--the mealworms are likely to get lost in that substrate and be impossible to find (if you're feeding in a bowl, they can get out of the bowl)
--more importantly, there's a chance that your gecko will eat some of the smaller pieces. I once cared for someone's geckos for a month. One of them had dropped her tail just before I got her and we didn't know why. The next day she passed a few pieces of wood chip. I think that the pain of the chip going through her system caused her to drop her tail.

I use ceramic tile as a substrate. Other people use paper towel, reptile carpet or newspaper.

Aliza

 

[Suprakeith]

Welcome to the forum. It can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for them to get comfortable. Some leopard geckos seem to spend all their time in their hide no matter what (remember, the gecko is nocturnal, so it wouldn't be unusual for it to spend the days in the hide sleeping). It can take them awhile to start eating, but they can go for awhile without eating (you'd be surprised how long some of them go without losing any weight). One thing I highly recommend is for you to change the substrate for 2 reasons:
--the mealworms are likely to get lost in that substrate and be impossible to find (if you're feeding in a bowl, they can get out of the bowl)
--more importantly, there's a chance that your gecko will eat some of the smaller pieces. I once cared for someone's geckos for a month. One of them had dropped her tail just before I got her and we didn't know why. The next day she passed a few pieces of wood chip. I think that the pain of the chip going through her system caused her to drop her tail.

I use ceramic tile as a substrate. Other people use paper towel, reptile carpet or newspaper.

Aliza

Thank you very much for your advice, the meal worms are feed in bowl witch is quite deep, and I have some green reptile carpet left over from doing one of my snakes, so will change the substrate over.
Another question please, I have noticed he's skin isn't as bright as was so I guessing there shedding experience is pretty much same as snakes in that they go dull for few days or week before shed old skin?

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Hello, Keith, and a very warm welcome to Gecko Talk.
Lovely looking Leo.
Be patient and he'll soon settle in when you get your set up right.
Yes, they do go dull and even sometimes white before shedding.
He may eat his skin as he sheds, this is quite normal.

 

[acpart]

Bravo for a great gecko shedding answer!

Aliza

 

[Suprakeith]

Thank you for the info, he is lovely and slowly settling in. Going to replace his woodchip this weekend with reptile carpet, wanted to make sure he was eating ok 1st and he had another 3 meal worms lastnight and is slowly getting use to us as only put hands in to spot clean and replace water but he did let me stroke him and rub his belly. Am finding this group very helpful have been reading lots of threads for tips and info on doing best by his needs

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Thank you for the info, he is lovely and slowly settling in. Going to replace his woodchip this weekend with reptile carpet, wanted to make sure he was eating ok 1st and he had another 3 meal worms lastnight and is slowly getting use to us as only put hands in to spot clean and replace water but he did let me stroke him and rub his belly. Am finding this group very helpful have been reading lots of threads for tips and info on doing best by his needs

Great news!
Sounds like he is adjusting nicely and has found a happy new home. :G:

 

[Suprakeith]

He does seem to be slowly getting use to us, put my hand in for few minutes this morning and he came up and sniffed my finger, then laid down next to hand and started to go sleep bless him, have now named him Gizmo.
Just looking into night light that doesn't make heat so can view him without turning room light on

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

He does seem to be slowly getting use to us, put my hand in for few minutes this morning and he came up and sniffed my finger, then laid down next to hand and started to go sleep bless him, have now named him Gizmo.
Just looking into night light that doesn't make heat so can view him without turning room light on

Hello, Gizmo!
Bless him, how adorable. :G: