stupid newbe questions!!!!

[abrahamavelar]

well first of all i know they are nocturnal but my room its pitch black when the computer monitor or tv are off at night do i need like night light for him so he can see like a blue or red??? not for heat but for him to see whats around him???

the other one is is the moist hide supposed to be on the hot, cold or the middle??? i currently hav eit on the middle closer to the hot part

is it normal for him to be sleeping ALL THE TIME??? or is it just scared of me???

and last how can i get him to get used to me since i just got him yesterday???

 

[PhoenixCoconut]

Umm no he does not need a light at night..........I keep mine on the warm side...he could be bruiting(The reptile form of hibernating) Its not scared of you if its sleeping...Dont hold him for the first week then do slow handlings for short amounts of time

 

[abrahamavelar]

thanks alot for the help!!!

 

[LeopardShade]

First off, no question is stupid. I'm glad you are so eager to learn so you can give your geckos a healthier, happier life

Leopard geckos don't need assistance to see in the dark. That's why they're nocturnal, and possess vertical slit pupils. Slit pupils dilate and block out bright sunlight during the day to protect the retina, and open fully during the night. Trust me, they can see just fine. if they couldn't, why would they be nocturnal-crepscular reptiles?

I'd generally put the moist hide on the warm-middle area of the tank. The combination of moisture and heat is what creates humidity, which is the sole purpose of the moist hide.

If he's sleeping all the time during the day, then yes, it is normal. That's when they're supposed to sleep. Once again, they are nocturnal-crepuscular.

Since you just got him yesterday, I'd let him settle in for at least a week before you start to begin handling him. Excess handling, especially during the acclimation period, can be very stressful for a gecko, and can cause them to go off food. Just leave him be for now, and after about a week or so, if he's eating well and all, you can gradually begin handling him for short periods of time (5-10 min) to let him get used to you. If he ever seems to stressed out when you're handling him, put him back immediately and wait another day before trying again.

 

[abrahamavelar]

Thx!!! So they r like cats pretty much in that sence with the eye thing.... Ok cool thats what I was thinking but wasnt sure....ive seen it walk around and know that he has used the bathroom place, but when I get my red or blue key chain led I still find him sleeping, could it be because he is getting used to his new arrangemnts/home since it was only at room temp n now he has the UTH n ceramic heat lamp???

 

[LeopardShade]

It often takes leopard geckos about 1-2 weeks to get used to their new surroundings. Unless you set up a camera during the night and play it in high speed or something, or stay up all night, there really isn't a way to know how much your gecko really is moving around, because they're circadian rhythm is opposite from ours.

 

[abrahamavelar]

Oh ok so its normal then