New Owner

[elizabethrae.]

Hi

I recently inherited a 5 year old male Leopard Gecko, named Booker. I've been doing a ton of research and I just wanted to get some ideas and talk about his new tank with the "experts" I didn't really know which sub topic to put all of this under so I just went with General.

To start off, I've been feeding him about 4 crickets every other day (If he leaves one or two I take them out 2 hours later) and calcium dusting them. Should I supply a little bowl of calcium in his tank as well? Is this a good amount for him to eat? I also feed one butterworm once a week. Should I also work in mealworms?

He came in a 10gallon tank but I begged a 20gal long(30X12) off a friend. I plan on using cage carpet. I have an Exo Terra Heat Wave Terrarium Substrate heater(medium) underneath his 10gall. Can I remove that and use it on the 20 or do I need to buy a new one? I've also read that you should have a rhetostat to control temperatures. I live in Canada so does anyone know of one they would recommend? I also have a 75watt UVA heat lamp.. the hot end of his tank is about 110. The cold is about 80. I think it might run a bit hot because of the small size of the 10gall and the high wattage of my lamp:inquisitive:

Furniture wise... I prefer the natural look and at the moment he only has one wooden hide. I should have one at the hot end, one at the cool end and then a humid one right? Do I only provide the humid hide when he is shedding? Does anyone know of a way to make a natural looking humid hide rather then a plastic container? Unfortunately, his last owner used a heat rock so he has lost the tips of his toes :main_angry: If i take the wiring off of it can I just use it as a decoration? What type of furniture do they like/enjoy?

One aspect of his behaviour that I'm not sure about is that if you stroke his head he raises it, and does the same with his back if you stroke him there(like a cat) He sinks back down after you stop. I've read they arch their back and raise their tail as a defensive thing but he doesn't seem uncomfortable when you pet him and he does not raise his tail. Does he like to be stroked or am I threatening him?

I was also wondering if letting him walk around in a pool of dechlorinated water was good for there skin always or just when they are shedding?


Thanks for taking the time to read my novel Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.. I like to provide the best possible home for my animals

 

[ElapidSVT]

they don't like being stroked.
110F is too hot!
ditch the UV lamp, they are nocturnal and don't need it.
a 10 gallon tank is plenty big enough for an adult leopard gecko.
the toes are gone from shedding difficulties, not from any hot rock issues.
feeding a varied diet is always good, i use mealworms, crickets and 3 types of roaches
i've never worried about chlorinated water with any of my reptiles i've kept over the last 40 years. with fish it's an issue tho.

good luck!

 

[acpart]

Welcome to GF

Here is some advice and suggestions:

You can take the heat mat off the old tank and put it on the new tank. Use duct tape or something similar if it isn't sticky anymore

You need a rheostat or thermostat if that's the only way to maintain correct temps which should be about 92 on the hot side. 110 is too hot. I have had good luck maintaining appropriate temps in a 20 long with a heat mat (zoo-med) and ceramic tile on the floor (which will look more natural if you get beige)

You can use a light but they don't need them. I find that the heat mat can do the whole job

Too much humidity (pool of water) may cause a respiratory infection, though I'm not entirely sold on that concept. They do benefit from a soak if there is stuck shed on the feet

At his age every 2-3 days is a good feeding regimen. If you feel he would eat more than 4 crickets you can give him more. Mealworms are a nice dietary addition for variety but not essential.

The humid hide is a place they often like to hang out so it can be a permanent fixture. You can make hides out of many materials that will look more natural including ceramics, plant pots, wood, natural looking things glued to the plastic. There are ideas on the forum.

I hope that covered most of it. Feel free to ask more.

Aliza