Quick Question on feeding.

[diablofox420]

Is it Normal for my Leo (Yoshi) to eat 100 small mealworms in less then 6 hours?

Or should i just add like 20 a day?

or move up to regular sized mealworms?

I dont think it was the crickets either since there were only like 2-3 left in the cage when i put in the worms.

Thanks,
Andrew

 

[diablofox420]

Here is a pic to show how big she is.

 

[diablofox420]

Also what kind of UTH should I use for a 20 G. Long tank? Links please and thanks.

 

[BrilliantEraser]

First answer: I would move her up to a larger size mealworm, as she looks more than large enough to handle it (what's her snout-vent length?). The larger the worm, the higher the meat-to-chitin ratio, so it'll end up being healthier for your gecko.

Second question: Just look for a UTH that is labelled for 10-20 gallon tanks. Make sure to use with a rheostat or thermostat, to ensure that the temperature is in the range you need it to be. Here's an example of one UTH that can be used: Zilla 8-Watt UTH


Side note: I personally wouldn't leave crickets wandering around a gecko's cage. They can ingest the gecko feces, which means they will store up any bad stuff in their body, including parasites. When the gecko eats the cricket, this will create an increased parasite load.

Second side note: I cannot personally vouch for the Zilla UTH, as I have never used one. It is just to be used as an example.

 

[Tony C]

I would move it up to superworms, I don't bother with mealies for anything over 6-8 grams. My favorite UTH is Ultratherm, the 11x11 that I linked would be good for a 20L.

 

[wakeskate420]

I would move it up to superworms, I don't bother with mealies for anything over 6-8 grams. My favorite UTH is ultratherm

+1 for both! :main_thumbsup:

 

[diablofox420]

@BrilliantEraser: I bought the crickets and the worms at the same time and i spot clean before i put the crickets in and i wait till all the crickets are eaten before i put the worms in and i use a rodent dish for em.

I will also buy a thermostat for her tank but the one in there now dont seem to go over about 89 degrees. Does the thermostat make it work harder if say I have the A/C in my room on to maintain the temperature?

@Tony C: I tried the superworms but they escape the dish easier then the mealworms it seems. But i will try them i suppose.

Also what about heat tape? is that good to use or pass on it?

 

[Tony C]

A thermostat can only reduce operating temperatures, it cannot make a heater run any hotter than it does when unregulated. I don't use dishes, but if that is a concern for you then superworms probably won't be a viable option, they seem to be able to escape any dish.

 

[diablofox420]

Well I am upgrading my 20G tank to a 40G so I can hold both my Leos in one tank. Both are female and similar size.

What would you recommend as a liner? I was really liking the slate option but was wondering a good place to get it and how much it would cost to fit a 40g? IF not just use the Terrarium Liner?

 

[fuzzylogix]

i honestly recommend just using paper towels for "substrate". many people use a tile/paper towel combo as well. terrarium liner is ok to use, but get two. one to replace the soiled one when you wash it. you can also use brown butchers paper which is a little more aesthetic than paper towels. i use mealworm cups with plastic lids for my supers which you can find at http://store.supremegecko.com/index.php?target=products&product_id=238 or like tony said, just let them run free. always remove any uneaten feeders though because as with crickets, they can eat the gecko feces as well.

 

[thegeckoguy23]

Here is a pic to show how big she is.

Look at a leopard gecko care sheet.


A gecko that size should eat 10 large meal worms every other day.


Jake

 

[diablofox420]

I just put a new bowl of 100 Regular mealworms in there she ate about 4 or 5 so far so i guess the little ones were not filling her but she seemed very happy when i showed her the bigger ones.

@fuzzylogix: The only thing i dislike about the paper towels is when i do give her crickets i give her the small ones and they always just hide under the paper towels that is why i was thinking maybe a tile approach plus i seen a few on this site with it and i think it looks pretty neat i just would like to know what kind would be a good idea to use so i can look at home depot for it.

Also those mealworm cups look pretty nifty I will order them thanks

 

[Tony C]

Well I am upgrading my 20G tank to a 40G so I can hold both my Leos in one tank. Both are female and similar size.

What would you recommend as a liner? I was really liking the slate option but was wondering a good place to get it and how much it would cost to fit a 40g? IF not just use the Terrarium Liner?

Seamus gave a great explanation of why repti-carpet/terrarium liner is a poor choice here. Tile can work well, and paper towel is easy and convenient, but ugly. I plan to move my remaining geckos into large naturalistic vivaria with a "bio-active" soil mix after I have sold off the bulk of my collection.

 

[ZooKeeperKarin]

For a feeding dish, I buy large glass ashtrays at Wal*mart. They have two sizes of ashtrays. The smaller one I use for mealies, the larger works pretty well for supers.
I use Zilla UTH's and have been pleased with them. I've never tried any other brand, though.
I've also tried several different substrates and always come back to paper towel. It may not be the prettiest, but it's great for ease in keeping them clean. In the smaller tubs for hatchlings, I have been taping the edges with masking tape so that crickets can not crawl underneath and hide.