Ok so i need some help...

[Reptis]

Ok so a friend of mine has a gecko and can't really take care of him right now. So I am allowed to take care of him right now BUT I must be able to supply the right ammount of crix and be able to keep them alive long enough for them to all be eaten. So here's where you guys come in: First off, they have had this gecko for 2 years keeping him without heating for the most part, except for a heat rock. He has been on sand all this time and she has only been feeding him crix once a week, and these were caught in her garden. please don't say anuthing mean about her, it was mainly on the part of not knowing of the proper care. If anything, blame the internet care sheets.:main_laugh: I have already brushed her up on the basics, but she will not be able to get him to me for several weeks from now. So if any of you have a cricket "brand" that tends to be verry longliving, in accordance withgood price and (preferrably) internet buying and shipping, please let me know. I have a large crickit keeper that can hold probably 200 crix if I add a few egg cartins and paper towel tubes, but with the combined number of crix they will probably be eating, about 16, I need some feedback on how to best keep them.


Thanks!
-Reptis

 

[Reptis]

Sorry if it is a little sloppy, my parents are trying to get me off and i didn't have much time to edit it.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Your best bet is to switch to mealworms. They are cleaner and quieter, no escapees (your parents will appreciate this) and you can set up a breeding farm easily. Google "buy mealworms" and a bunch of websites will come up that you can look for your best option on. They are cheap but shipping is a bit higher. I suggest starting with 500 so there are plenty to feed from while your colony is getting established. Plenty of information on the net that explains how to breed them. It's real easy, and you may enjoy it.

In the meantime, make sure you have everything setup and ready for when your friend gives you the animal. It may not be in such good shape having lived in poor conditions for so long. Paper towels would be best for substrate and get your UTH going and temps monitored with a digital probe thermometer. You will want it to be in the low to mid 90's to help the gecko get back on track.

Good luck!

 

[Dog Shrink]

or even super worms could be used... just as easy as mealies, but you don't refrigerate them to put into stasis. They'll live pretty much as long as you feed them, live in oats, also easy to breed/raise, and only takes maybe 2-4 3x a week to feed an adult leo.

 

[Reptis]

I Know. I agree that supers or mealies would be easier but i don't want to stress him out to much. cosidering the temp spike he's going to get, the carpet and plenty of tlc, may put him in a weak and somewhat unstable condition for a while. besides, he knows probably close to nothing about secondary food sources, remember? also my gecko is pretty attached to the "hunting" of the crix and isn't to fond of mealies, even as a secondary feeder, besides, I don't want him to get to obese! jk lol the owner has the tank and will be getting everything nessisary 4 him, so the only problem will be the crix.

 

[Reptis]

Yall know what, I may have the problem under control. My dad (while I was gone) went to a feed store and got some crix, 50 for $3.00! But a new issue has ben brought up (mentally), since these aren't bred for feeders, is there the possibility that they may have worms or other parasites?

 

[Dog Shrink]

Any feeder insect can harbour parasites and crickets kept in less than stellar conditions are no exception alltho I have seen some bait shops keep their bait bugs in better set ups than some petshops. Without knowing/seeing how they were kept it's hard to say.

 

[Reptis]

I am probaly going to buy them online now because the bait crix don't last long, got any good online breeder "brands"?

 

[im faster]

First, dont do the unstable conditions..
he needs perfect conditions asap.
he wont be stressed from proper care.

make sure you keep these geckos in separate cages. ATLEAST 30-60 days.


As for crickets, the main thing is space food and water.
Best if you can get bigger plastic tub or 10 gallon tank for them even for 200 it will increase there life span.

keep carrots in tank at all times (cut long ways(seems easier to eat)
buy water crystals for watering.

 

[ReptileWorld]

i was faced with the same problem years ago having a massive collection of geckos and purchasing crickets twice a week and the pet store and exotic pet place unable to fill my order just about everytime. ( at this time i didnt know about shows and purchasing in bulk online ) i was only 16.

I got a tip from a old school reptile keeper that he kept his crickets in a huge plastic bin with paper towel rolls and egg crate, and fed them lightly misted greens and carrots in a bowl.

i do something like that i use a old 10 gallon tank with a small heat pad on it ( use to be a hatchling tank ) and i threw some egg flats in and i feed the crickets the same thing i feed my dubia, the chow, oranges, apples, greens, carrots. i also keep a dish of water gel in there i dont see them on it too much but so far this works for me very well. :main_thumbsup: