New Brevis

Zilla · #1 04-19-2009, 10:38 PM

Just got my new Coleonyx Brevis today thanks to Geckos And Goanas. I have them in a small exotera set up with cage carpet. There is a small dish of calcium powder and water. Lastly there are 2 hides one with vermiculite and the other with moss. Both might be gravid, one of those time will tell things, both were with a male up until today so more than likely gravid. does the set up sound good or should I do more? Also I am including pics they aren't the greatist but I will try to get better ones taken soon.

Zilla · #2 04-20-2009, 08:34 AM

Ok guys here are some better pics.

erik · #3 04-20-2009, 01:44 PM

i think that these gecko's live in the desert and there needs to be sand in the terra!!
or am i wrong?????

grtz,e

ReptileRuler · #4 04-20-2009, 03:10 PM

They do live in the desert, but they don't have to have sand. Very pretty banded you got there. From what I can see the cage looks good, but of course I can't see everything.

erik · #5 04-21-2009, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReptileRuler

They do live in the desert, but they don't have to have sand.

maybe they don't, witch i doubt!!
but they will feel much better when they have some sand to digg in, it is in they're nature. i think that this is a sad way of keeping this species!!

grtz,e

DJreptile · #6 04-21-2009, 05:54 PM

Eh, it's been a while since I've gotten up on my soap box;

Desert does not equal sand! Even in sandy deserts there are still a variety of microclimates that support life. Life which, in some cases, never actually ventures on to the sand! In the case of C. Brevis these little guys come from northern Mexico, west Texas, and southern New Mexico. Having been down there more than once I can tell you most of it is not sandy desert. Mesas, rocks, scrub, and sandy/sandstone soil are the type of environment you will find down there. Furthermore C. Brevis is primarily a canyon and rock crevice dweller. In the wild they would normally be found wedged between/underneath some rocks or in a crack in a canyon wall. Not running around on, or burrowing in, sand.

Additionally, the one or two line "You're doing it wrong!!! The poor animal!!!" type post is in no way helpful or constructive. If you see something you don't agree with, say what it is you don't agree with, say why you don't agree with it (this is a good place for your own experience or research) and perhaps suggest a way it could be improved.

OK, enough of that.

Zilla, if I were setting up some C. Brevis at home I would put them in a 20 gallon long, 24"x12" footprint, use a sand/soil mix probably 2/1 ratio as a substrate with a nice pile of solidly anchored rocks, maybe use silicone for that so they don't shift and crush your gecko, and a couple of spineless succulents planted just to make it all look a bit nicer. If you're feeling really ambitious check out the DIY and naturalistic vivarium forums here and maybe think about building a fake rock wall as the backing to your set-up. It will give your geckos a lot more space to utilize, be a fun project for you, and look cool to boot. It looks like right now you're using some sort of turf or terrarium mat. I shy away from those, especially the ones that claim to be reuseable. You can't really spot clean them as the feces tends to soak in, and cleaning them is more hassle than it's worth. With dirt you see a poop, you pick it up and some of the surrounding soil, you have a clean tank again. You only really need to do a full clean and replace the soil once every month or two if that. With those pads you're doing a full clean once or twice a week. But, either way so long as your geckos are eating, drinking, pooping and looking fat I'd say you're moving in the right direction.

At any rate, I hope this helps, and I hope you have lots of fun with your new geckos.

Zilla · #7 04-21-2009, 10:17 PM

Ok you mention a sand soil mix, is that play sand and a potting soil? Or should I be looking for something else. I already know to stay way away from any stuff that is chemically treated. Are there any brand suggestions?

DJreptile · #8 04-21-2009, 11:32 PM

Yeah regular play sand, rinsed out, then some sort of organic soil. Nothing with fertilizers or perlite. Ground up coco husk, peat, or mulch, anything like that. Generic brands are fine the important thing is no chemicals or perlite, vermiculite or anything like that added to the mix. Just sand and dirt.

Geckos and Goannas · #9 04-22-2009, 08:44 AM

Im glad to hear and see that they are settling in nice. When I had them I just used paper towl for substrate with ceramic pot hides and deli cups for egg laying sites. I have used the sand/ eco earth for my Gonis, Holodactylus, and Hemitheconyx and it has worked great. They only reason I didnt for them is because it was easier to find thier eggs in a deli cup rather than a whole tank.

DJreptile · #10 04-22-2009, 05:33 PM

Yeah, that is a good point. If you're expecting eggs then some sort of simple substrate with a lay box will make your life a lot easier and enhance the odds of you finding the eggs in time to get them into your incubator. I cannot tell you how much time I have spent sifting through the soil in the bottom of a tank looking for eggs.