Super Gecko Noob... Help!

[IcedC]

Its not as bad as it sounds, but I just wanted a few tips and advise.

I just got my juvenile leo for xmas, completely by surprise, not expecting it at the least. My brother had got a 10 gal tank and an over head IR heat light with tree bark as a substrate and 1 hide as per the high school kid that works at the pet shop in a shopping mall!!!

So after doing some reading and stopping by a slightly more reliable tropical pet store, I put down some paper towel instead of bark and got an UTH a cool hide and a moist hide. The lady at the tropical pet store also said that I HAVE to have a UV bulb or she will get some disorder and die, I reluctantly did because of the guilt trip she was giving me even though everyone here says you don't need one, and there are possible ill effects from over exposure to UV.

Questions

I have read that it is good to simulate day and night, so I put the UV bulb on a timer, should I replace the UV bulb for a regular incandescent?

The pet store only had a tropical climate UTH not a desert climate (several stores I went to hand none at all so i settled for that) The UTH keeps the tank around 80 to 85, and Ive been running the IR bulb all the time to keep it between 85 and 90, (cool side consistently stays at 75) but it never really goes above 90, should I scrap the UTH for a proper desert one, or can i keep using the IR bulb? right now the tank is near my front door and I think its keeping the temp down a few degrees... When i take down my xmas tree on Friday i will move her more into the interior of my house to see if i can keep it around 90-92 with the UTH and IR bulb...


although a little skittish my leo seems fairly content regularly roaming the tank, and using the hot and cold hides every few hours... eating very well, but her poops show signs of dehydration. I change the water every other day, but have never seen her drink. what should I look for to know there is a problem?

As far as her being skittish, how long does it take for them to get used to you? I think I scared her, because the day i got the UTH, I came home and found her basking in the open for the first time, but she looked like she was dead and I panicked and ever so slightly tapped the glass, she freaked out and ran into her hide and now she hides when ever I come by...

sorry to turn this into a novel, but i want what is best for her... thanks for any advice you can give...

 

[Lena]

UVA and UVB exposure is normally VERY important.. But not for nocturnal animals! In fact, in that case, it could be detrimental. I recommend removing the UVA/UVB source immediately.

Her poos might look strange as she is probably stressed and she may be dehydrated from improper care. OR they might just be drying out before you get to them. Just keep an eye on her and make sure you provide the moist hide and water bowl.

Your temperatures sound great and you've made some awesome choices.. I'm glad to see someone cares enough to do the research! Sounds like your little guy is in good hands.

 

[Libby15]

Not to be graphic, but how do you know that the pooh looks dehydrated?

 

[IcedC]

Not to be graphic, but how do you know that the pooh looks dehydrated?

i read something that said the poop should be solid and one color... if it has a yellow or white tip then the leo is dehydrated :main_huh:

 

[Lena]

Whoa.. I don't know what you're reading.. That's perfectly normal and healthy.

You should see a brown mass tipped with white. The white is the 'urate' - Their form of urine.

I would think if you didn't see that white tip, then I would be concerned about dehydration.

 

[IcedC]

thanks i was really worried, because Ive never even seen her look at her water dish let alone drink... she gets a lot of free time at night while im asleep so I dont know if she drinks then or not

 

[moosassah]

congrats, both on the great leo gift & especially on your jumping right in to research & improve the lil guys life.

We keep 4 leos. Each has their own set up. We do use the lamps, but only with red or blue 15-25 watt lights for night viewing. One of the leos prefers the red light to be on 24-7 even though his cage temps are fine without it. Whatever makes him happy!

You don't mention anything about diet so I'll say this:

Keep mealie worms in a dish. Buy ones that are no bigger than the width of your leos head. If you limit the # in the dish, you'll know if he's eating or not. Other foods are available, but mealies are easiest.

The mealies need to eat too. Give them thin slices of potato for moisture. Keep them in bran/oats etc. I mix mine with Flukers cricket feed. Start your own colony. Read up on that here too. It's easy & cheap.

Always have a water dish & a cap with some calcium without vitamin D in it. You may never notice your leo at the calcium, but it's necessary. There's also calcium with vitamin D and vitamins. These are given less frequently. Read up on that in the feeding forum.

Keep asking questions...someone here will always help.

 

[IcedC]

oh yeah... she has been eating 4 small crickets everyday... I read that juveniles should be fed every day is that right? regardless she is eating them all, and I have also kept a dish with 5 mealies in it, and usually in the morning they are gone, yesterday i gave her 6 mealies and there was 1 left this morning... I cant find the pure calcium so i ordered some to arrive Friday... i have dusted the crickets with the calcium d3 and vitamin powder once since I've had her the last 6 days. i read they only need it once a week

 

[Libby15]

Juvies eat every day. If there are any crickets left over that he/she doesn't want to eat, take them out or they could harass the gecko. That is, if he/she seems full.

Mine went from 10 small to about 5 large recently every day. He's getting quite a fat neck. :main_yes: