Turner's Gecko Setup

[satyr666]

Just wondering what you guys think of my Turner's Gecko setup. I've added a snake plant, a hide built from slate, and a ladder I made from a vine. She seems to love the snake plant that's where she spends most of the day. What else should I add? I was also wondering how much she should be eating per day she was eating 3 mealworms every second day now shes eating about 1 a day is this enough for her?

 

[touch 13]

hello Satyr, I believe we've spoken before

Your set-up is coming together nicely.
Rocks, rocks, rocks! They LOVE THEM.

Their natural envoirement consists of very rocky and rugged terrain. Jagged, steep rock cliffs and spurse greenery. You've got the wood to climb on, minimal greenery. Your substrate is more ment for humidity, These guys don't require much humidity. You'd be able to add in Tile and still provide a nice looking and clean set-up. (the tiles are actually easier to clean aswell). All that i reccomend is some more rocks, both as a hide and partial landscape, Also you could place a set of leaves (with the suction cups) in the back.


Water should be replaced daily regardless but Place your water bowl in a shaded area so that it doesn't evapourate during the day.

Hope it helps satyr!

PS: I believe i see small pieces of Glue holding your ladder together, Depending on the Glue, this COULD be dangorous, I'd sand down the piece. If they are still visable, i would not use this piece.

 

[satyr666]

Hi again Lee. I did try adding some slate tile pieces that I had left over from building a leo setup and she didn't seem to use them at all. During the day she's usually on her plant if not she's basking on her tree. At night shes usually climbing but I've seen her digging in the coconut husk. Her behavior seems more tropical do you think they could come from a diverse area, maybe some like rocky dry habitat's while others like more humid tropical habitats? I'm just speculating here based on her behavior. I will try what you mentioned in a previous post about collecting river rocks, maybe she will prefer those over flat pieces of slate. I used 100% silicone to build the ladder I read that this was safe to use.

 

[touch 13]

Hi again Lee. I did try adding some slate tile pieces that I had left over from building a leo setup and she didn't seem to use them at all. During the day she's usually on her plant if not she's basking on her tree. At night shes usually climbing but I've seen her digging in the coconut husk. Her behavior seems more tropical do you think they could come from a diverse area, maybe some like rocky dry habitat's while others like more humid tropical habitats? I'm just speculating here based on her behavior. I will try what you mentioned in a previous post about collecting river rocks, maybe she will prefer those over flat pieces of slate. I used 100% silicone to build the ladder I read that this was safe to use.

This gecko is found in the South of the African continent, from RSA to Namibia, Swaziland, Angola, Lesotho and the South of Tanzania.

This is a nocturnal species, tree- and cliff–dwelling, often found during the day under loose bark or in rock crevices. It inhabits semi–dry savannahs, the outline of deserts, dry arboreal bushes. They thrive in a variety of climates and are hardy geckos.

In One sence your correct, they are semi-aboreal but not tropical. I catch my male completely upside down on rocks. I have a half tile and half ecoearth/coco-husk mix as substrate. I find GLOBS of dirt in his water bowl and a huge hole right beside the bowl about twice a week. I'm unaware of what he's looking for, but he's deffidently digging up the substrate for some reason. I believe this is all natural behaviour.

 

[satyr666]

So I guess I should build a diverse setup that leaves many options open to the gecko. Maybe I will try a mixture of substrates like you have with slate and fiber.

btw on average how much does your Turner's eat per day, or per feeding?

Thanks again.

 

[touch 13]

Providing a variety will allow him to pick and choose. A hot spot, cold spot, rocky etc. Also a variety in feeders is good too, adds a little spark to their days.

he's fed 4-6 appropriately sized crickets, and a small bowl of meal worms every 3 days.
He's one hefty little fella. 42G+ (haven't weighed in since July)

 

[satyr666]

Hmm mine hast lost her appetite, shes only eating 1 mealworm a day now, she loved the waxworms when I had them though. I tried her with butterworms but she ate one and regurgitated it now she wont touch them. I'm thinking of getting her tested for parasites just to be cautious.

 

[touch 13]

This would be the best bet if she's loosing weight.

Also, if you provided food on a every other day basis or every three days. Let her be hungry, not starving and promote eating habits.

Your located in Barrie? There's 2 great vets located in Milton Ontario, They were straight to the point and very sincere in regards to my rescued gargoyle.