What kind do I have?

[LeoMerlin]

Yea the crickets are challenging little guys. He likes the worms more so I've noticed. I think he may have eaten a couple of the crickets. So once he has the UTH pad he should start to eat more and be a little more active than he has been? He was more active when we first got him, but as I said, the last couple days he's been kinda sluggish from what I've seen. Then again the temperatures around home have been weird too so that may have something to do with it. It has gone from warm outside, to cold in the last couple days due to all the rain we've had.

We also got the calcium powder that was mentioned at the show, which he has been licking from that too. So I know he's getting that as well. I wonder if I need a different kind than the reptile show stuff though?

 

[jerrymb]

Mine was sluggish for the first 2 weeks I had him. Once I got the heat pad under the tank he pretty much came to life.

 

[LeoMerlin]

That's good to hear, then should be good that he'll be getting one tomorrow. They aren't too expensive I hear so that'll be good. He just has the light bulb that was suggested for now plus the temps of the surrounding area.

 

[endrien]

When I rescued my gecko last month I was given Zoo Med Reptivite without D3. It has calcium in it. Do I need a second supplement also?

You will want a multivitamin alongside the calcium, Calcium+D3 would be more useful for dusting whereas pure calcium is better for putting in a dish.

Also when he becomes more adjusted to your tank he will be more active regardless.

 

[LeoMerlin]

Thank you everyone, I have done research, but apparently I haven't been doing enough. I've looked at tons of sites and articles to know what is the best method of care for Merlin but it's good to have a community like this to show how much other people care as well. I truly appreciate it very much!

 

[jerrymb]

You will want a multivitamin alongside the calcium, Calcium+D3 would be more useful for dusting whereas pure calcium is better for putting in a dish.

Also when he becomes more adjusted to your tank he will be more active regardless.

I started another thread for this. Maybe I shouldn't have? The supplement I have is a vitamin mineral supplement without D3. Is there something about D3 that's bad for geckos? If the supplement I have seems to have everything in it do I still need a second supplement?

 

[endrien]

I started another thread for this. Maybe I shouldn't have? The supplement I have is a vitamin mineral supplement without D3. Is there something about D3 that's bad for geckos? If the supplement I have seems to have everything in it do I still need a second supplement?

"Vitamin D3 is necessary for the ultilization of Calcium and Phosphorus, and for the assimilation of Vitamin A"

So D3 is good to have.

 

[LeoMerlin]

I will make sure to get extra for the worms to dust them for Merlin as well as the Under Tank Heating pad. It sounds like once I have the heating pad he will start getting more active. Right now he has the light bulb 60 Watt which is what I've seen the most by other leopard gecko owners. He has a day bulb, and a night one. Some say that you can still use those after you get the heating pad, but it's not necessary?

 

[fl_orchidslave]

You will also need a digital probe thermometer for the heated side. The probe is to be attached on the floor over the heat mat. You will want it to read 90-95. Once you get that straight, leave the light off at least until he is settled in comfortably. Good that he's eating worms, give him all he wants. Look in the supplement/feeder threads for more info, but definitely get some calcium dust right away.

Keep reading threads on the forum. There's a wealth of information here, and most of your questions can be answered by researching.

 

[LeoMerlin]

Okay will definitely do that. I am actually about to head out to purchase the rest of the items he needs today. He seems to be doing okay though, he ate two worms, one last night and one this morning, looks like he's drinking and he settled under the heated area for a little bit before going back to the cooler side of the tank. So he looks good. I am going to get the vitamins and UTH for him and anything else that he may need while I'm out and about.

 

[ProGeckoServices]

why people give their geckos calcium without d3 ill never understand.....

 

[LeoMerlin]

Well the petco did not have the heating pad that I needed. Go figure. So I will have to try and see about getting one at Walmart or wait till Friday to get him one as the lady said they should have them in then. I hope so. I got a better substrate that's easier to use. I've heard good responses towards it so we will see. I did get some Rep-Cal and Reptivite. They both say they have D3. I've heard better responses for the Rep-Cal so I will give that a go. He seems to be doing okay with the Terrarium Liner I got him. I think he feels it is better to walk on than the paper towels.

 

[jerrymb]

I don't think that Wal Mart has any heat pads. Just order one online. It's easier than running from place to place.

 

[PaladinGirl]

Make sure you get an undertank heater that takes up about 1/3 of the tank bottom. I made the mistake of following the label on the Zoo Med brand undertank heater. I have a 15 gal tank and I had been using a pad for a 10 to 20 gal tank which is too small for leos. I got the next size up, even though it's labeled for 30 to 40 gal tanks.

Also, make sure you put it on one end of the tank on the bottom (the outside, not inside the tank). It just sticks right on there. And don't put it on the side of the tank, I guess some sales people will suggest that. Leos need belly heat. I don't even use a light at all.

You definitely want a thermometer and a thermostat to manage the temp of the undertank heater. I keep my temps at about 91 degrees. For my leo, I use the little Zilla brand digital thermometer and Zoo Med Reptitemp thermostat. For my fat tail gecko, I use the same thermometer and just a lamp dimmer, which you can find at any home improvement store. Honestly, they work about as good as the fancy thermostats, but you do need to monitor them somewhat more closely because the temperature in the room will affect it more than with the fancier thermostats.

Substrate is also very important. My opinion is that paper towel, newspaper, or slate tile is best. I wouldn't advise using any kind of loose substrate, like sand, though some people do without issue. I personally use brown paper lawn bag because I like the look better than the other paper options.

Sorry this is so long. I can tell you're nervous about providing proper care. I was too. It was almost as stressful as when my daughter was born lol! Just keep doing your research and visiting this forum. I also recommend a book called "The Herpetoculture of Leopard Geckos" by Philippe de Vosjoli and Ron Tremper. There was also a book published before that called "The Leopard Gecko Manual" which has good tips as well. You'll get the hang of it. Luckily, leos are hardy enough that they can tolerate a little waiting while we learn to care for them. Good luck!!

 

[Fencer04]

Disregard, I didn't see that there were more pages... Hope that he is making a comeback.

 

[LeoMerlin]

He is actually doing alright now. I got him a better hide out, and oh he's looking at me, heee. Any who, he seems to be happier with the heating pad on the side of the tank. I was following instructions. He's showing more activity than when we first brought him home. He also has been eating more again so that also makes me happy. I think the regular size mealworms are not the right size for him just yet so I went back to get the smaller ones like I had before. I don't know why I grabbed the medium sized ones. He did eat some but he prefers the smaller ones I think. So yep, he seems happy, which makes me happy. I am continuing to do research and will do so for a long time I'm sure to make sure he has the best care ^_^

 

[KelliH]

why people give their geckos calcium without d3 ill never understand.....

I offer my adult breeders calcium without D3 about 40% of the time, while the other 60% they receive Vionate, which is very high in both Vitamin A and Vitamin D3. The reason why I do this is because Vitamin D3, which nocturnal geckos DO require in order to properly absorb calcium, can be detrimental to their longterm health if given in too large of an amount consistently because it builds up, primarily in the liver, and eventually will become toxic and kill the gecko.

All of my leopard geckos get Vionate alone as a supplement until they are adults.