Thinking about buying a Leopard Gecko, just a few questions I have

[Rae]

Hello everyone,

I'm new here and I've been considering very recently buying a Leopard Gecko, however this wouldn't be until very earliest 4-5months in the future (because I will be moving xmas-time and want to settle in my new place first) so I have plenty of time to learn all I can before I finally do.

I know most of my questions will probably have been answered in the forum before, but I have been looking at a lot of info and there are a lot of differing information on certain things. I'm not expecting one golden answer for the questions I just want a few more opinions to add to what I've already read from a few more owners or knowledgeable people.

1) I know there's a lot of mixed feeling on using sand for leopard geckos, I thought better be safe than sorry so I'm thinking of using slate tiles for the bottom as I've seen the idea a few places. I've not seen this as a popular choice though so I just wanted to check on the opinion of people here, is it appropriate? I'm thinking pro's: good heat conductor, easy to clean and no danger of ingestion/impaction problems.

2) Feeding I'm thinking mealworms (because crickets specifically creep me out from my brother feeding them to his skink when I was younger and them escaping, but I don't mind livefood in general), just wanted to know if anyone had any preference on gut loading ideas and how best to do this? Any homemade ideas? Or if anything shop bought be aware I'm in the UK so online or UK products.

3) And lastly for those of you in the UK, any of you experienced buying leopard geckos from PetsatHome? I was quite surprised actually that my local PetsatHome sold them (as I only popped in to see what reptile equipment and food they sold because I was trying to source where I could buy supplies from when I finally need them). I probably won't buy from there because up the road from me is a reptile place called Snakes N Adders which I've heard great things about. I just wanted to know because PetsatHome sell normal leopard geckos and the shop near me sells different morphs at different times so although they've got some really interesting morphs at the moment I also actually quite like the normal colouring too, and I'm undecided about what type I want so it'd give me more options. Obviously above colouring I'd want a healthy happy gecko though which is why I'm asking!

Any opinions appreciated!!!

Thanks,
Rae

 

[brettw903]

As far as gutloading it's pretty simple I use a wheat bran substrate and put baby carrots, sweet potato, and Apple. I also feed dubias they are much better feeders than crickets nutrionally, much easier to keep, plus they don't stink.

 

[acpart]

Substrate: many people don't use slate because it's heavy and often not cut in regular shapes, but it's OK to use it. I prefer ceramic tile.

Aliza

 

[Dinosaur!]

For the substrate, tile is an excellent choice, and its prettier than paper towel by far! I don't use it personally (I have over twenty geckos) so paper towel is cheap and easy for me!

I also solely feed mealworms, with dubias, calci-worms (phoenix worms), deformed waxworm moths, deformed (and newly hatched and unhardened) mealworm beetles, and occasional waxworms (very sparingly) thrown in for occasional veriety. Mealworms as the staple has been working great for me for over six years, but i will be switching to dubias as a staple once my colony is much bigger. (and I'm with you on the "eeewwww" crickets thing.) Thats my view on feeder choices, but just remember that variety is key. It doesn't have to be something new every feeding, but just try and keep dinner interesting

As for mealworm gutload, I simply use organic oats (about two inches deep), with carrots, apples, or celery thrown in for moisture and nutrition (I use celery only when i need to go grocery shopping though ) You can also use commercial gutoads that you find online, or any other method that you like

 

[marcia]

Exactly what has been said ^^^
As far as pets at home goes, i've always hated them for many reasons plus my local ones reptiles never look lke they're in good shape. It's best to find a breeder near you if you can, or a specialised reptile shop would be a better choice than pets at home