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andreasvatne

New Member
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17
Hey, I am new here and I have been thinking about getting one or two geckos, that are not to high maintenance. I have been looking into Leopard Geckos, but I know that there are many other cool ones. Some advice of what gecko to get and how to care for it would be nice!
 
Geckomaster743

Geckomaster743

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,177
Location
Texas
andreasvatne said:
Hey, I am new here and I have been thinking about getting one or two geckos, that are not to high maintenance. I have been looking into Leopard Geckos, but I know that there are many other cool ones. Some advice of what gecko to get and how to care for it would be nice!
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Welcome to Geckotalk! For a leopard gecko they Require a 10 Gallon ( Which will also help in the Long Run ) and if you want to keep 2 - 3 I would recommend a 20 Gallon ( They need large Territories and space. ) Besides space they ALWAYS need heat or they will begin to stop eating which over time can lead them to a skinny tail and lack of energy which also makes them twice as prone to disease. You can buy Heat bulbs and Dimmers at Petsmart/PetCo/Local Pet stores. The Cage temp should always be around 80 - 95F in the day and around 70 - 78F at night. To keep night heat buy a night light and dimmer. What it should eat: Mealworms, Crickets ( Both must be dusted with Vitamins,Calcium powder. PROSPEROUS FREE! ). Make sure they have a nice substrate like Reptile Carpet - Paper Towel. NEVER USE SAND. It will cause Impaction which will lead to the death of your gecko. Heat rocks are a bit risky so take caution with them because people have lost geckos because of a Heat rock over heating and burning the gecko. Don't take unnecessary risks.
 
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andreasvatne

New Member
Messages
17
Darkmaster743 said:
Welcome to Geckotalk! For a leopard gecko they Require a 10 Gallon ( Which will also help in the Long Run ) and if you want to keep 2 - 3 I would recommend a 20 Gallon ( They need large Territories and space. ) Besides space they ALWAYS need heat or they will begin to stop eating which over time can lead them to a skinny tail and lack of energy which also makes them twice as prone to disease. You can buy Heat bulbs and Dimmers at Petsmart/PetCo/Local Pet stores. The Cage temp should always be around 80 - 95F in the day and around 70 - 78F at night. To keep night heat buy a night light and dimmer. What it should eat: Mealworms, Crickets ( Both must be dusted with Vitamins,Calcium powder. PROSPEROUS FREE! ). Make sure they have a nice substrate like Reptile Carpet - Paper Towel. NEVER USE SAND. It will cause Impaction which will lead to the death of your gecko. Heat rocks are a bit risky so take caution with them because people have lost geckos because of a Heat rock over heating and burning the gecko. Don't take unnecessary risks.
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Thank you so much! This was really helpful! I know that you already suggested Reptile Carpet or Paper towel, but do you have any other suggestions for their substrate? Just wondering :p
 
Geckomaster743

Geckomaster743

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1,177
Location
Texas
andreasvatne said:
Thank you so much! This was really helpful! I know that you already suggested Reptile Carpet or Paper towel, but do you have any other suggestions for their substrate? Just wondering :p
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Well honestly those two are the best. Bark is some thing that you also shouldn't use. They may try to eat it, They may get splinters, Its not comfortable etc.
 
Geckomaster743

Geckomaster743

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,177
Location
Texas
Leopard geckos are the easiest to start with, I don't really own other species so i couldn't tell you but other then that Even leopard geckos require a lot of care if they get sick. Plus there is a lot too watch out for and thats what comes with the responsibility of owning a pet.
 
Amanda1

Amanda1

New Member
3 Year Member
Messages
636
Location
Plainfield, IN
Welcome! I started a crested gecko care sheet on the forum that you can read through here:
http://www.geckotalk.com/index.php?threads/crested-gecko-care.47/

Cresties are super easy to take care of; personally I think they're much easier than leos since you don't have to feed them live food and you don't need any special heat/light sources. I also think cresties look way cooler, like little dinosaurs with spiky heads. But I'm kind of biased. :p
 
Jetfire

Jetfire

New Member
Messages
444
Location
South Carolina
I couldn't agree with Amanda more...

It's like this-do you want to be buying heat pads, heat lights, and feed crickets and other bugs? If yes, look into leopards or fat tail geckos, they're the best starter bug-eaters.
If you want geckos that don't need supplemental heating of any sort, and that can live entirely on a special powdered diet,I would suggest checking out cresteds, and possibly gargoyle geckos.(my personal faves,in the interest of full disclosure)
 
Geckomaster743

Geckomaster743

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,177
Location
Texas
jetfire said:
Another question-do you want a gecko that can climb glass, stick to walls, etc; or do you want a purely terrestrial one?
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Jetfire you make cresteds sound too cool ;) Now andrea that is a cool feature crested geckos have but you just have to make sure that if you have one that the lid is always on. My leo's are always escaping if the lid is not properly placed by taking huge leaps. A crested could just walk his way out.
 
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andreasvatne

New Member
Messages
17
I know about how the crested geckos sticks to the glass and other things and that is an awesome feature I think, and that the Leos don't have! :p This decision is becoming harder and harder!:confused:
 
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