Borneo Cat Gecko

MalUK · #1 12-04-2010, 03:45 PM

Hi Folks
Im hoping in a couple of weeks to become the very proud and happy owner of a 1:2 CB group of Borneo Cats that I have reserved at Hamm. This is a new species for me to work with. (I do have experience with Rhacs, Gonnis,Leos etc). I have been searching for as much information as possible on this species as I want to ensure everything is perfect for their arrival. Ive spent a lot of time reading through the threads in this section of the forum. They have been a great help, many thanks to all who have shared their experiences.

I intend keeping all of the cats seperately. My gecko room has an average ambient daytime temp of 70f raising to low 80f at the height of summer. (UK isnt blessed with many hot summers) There is a small drop at night to around 65f. I am looking at alternatives for housing the geckos. Could you please tell the dimensions of the tanks that you good people keep your adult cats in. It would be a great help if someone could give dimensions in cms or inches rather than x gallon tank please. I am also looking into the subject of water for these geckos. My earlier enquiries had led me to believe that a Brita water filter would be adequate but I notice many of you use RO water systems. Is this essential or will the filtered water be ok. I can get RO water from on of the local tropical fish shops if it is really necessary. The other thing I wanted to ask about is low level UV. Obviously these geckos are nocturnal. However it is now being claimed that many nocturnal geckos do benefit from a little bit of UV. Im assuming this is in part due to any crepuscular activity. Your thoughts on supplimentary lighting would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance for any help or tips you may be able to give me.

MalUK · #2 12-06-2010, 05:28 AM

If anyone is willing to share their experience it really would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

**Riverside Reptiles** · #3 12-06-2010, 03:01 PM

I use RO on all of my herps. And I don't have any UV lighting on any of my cats. I don't imagine that it would hurt as long as it wasn't affecting temps.

MalUK · #4 12-07-2010, 08:16 AM

Thanks for your reply Ethan. I had noticed in other threads that you use RO for your reps. Do you think its essential for your cats or is it preferance ? I use filtered water for my reps without any problems but if RO is essential for the wellbeing of the cats then that is what they will receive. Could you let me know what size vivs you keep your adults in please ? I have a few options open to me for housing them but want to try and accomodate them in something of a size that others have found succesful. Thanks for your help.

gekkocorner · #5 12-09-2010, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MalUK

Thanks for your reply Ethan. I had noticed in other threads that you use RO for your reps. Do you think its essential for your cats or is it preferance ? I use filtered water for my reps without any problems but if RO is essential for the wellbeing of the cats then that is what they will receive. Could you let me know what size vivs you keep your adults in please ? I have a few options open to me for housing them but want to try and accomodate them in something of a size that others have found succesful. Thanks for your help.

Hi there.

If you have good quality filtered water that should be okay. Cat geckos seem to develop problems if hard water is used so most keepers prefer RO or distilled water. I use RO myself.

I use plastic containers ( like rubermaid, etc ) with screen tops or terrariums that measuse 12x12x18 inches for single adults, and for pairs 18x18x24 inches. Some people prefer to house them individually but its really up to you. I had some pairs together for a few months now and they are all doing great and all my females that are paired up are currently gravid.

If you have any questions let us know and we'll be glad to help.

Thanks.

Ps. as long as UV lights for cat geckos I really feel is not nessesary as they usually come out only after the lights go out and go hiding again right before they lights go on.

**Riverside Reptiles** · #6 12-10-2010, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MalUK

Thanks for your reply Ethan. I had noticed in other threads that you use RO for your reps. Do you think its essential for your cats or is it preferance ? I use filtered water for my reps without any problems but if RO is essential for the wellbeing of the cats then that is what they will receive. Could you let me know what size vivs you keep your adults in please ? I have a few options open to me for housing them but want to try and accomodate them in something of a size that others have found succesful. Thanks for your help.

I've only ever used distilled or RO water for my felinus. So I can't say how "essential" it is. And I've mostly ever only kept my felinus in individual housing. But I can tell you that back in the day, before people realized it, cat geckos were considered almost unkeepable in captivity because of the high death rate. Keeping them individually and giving them RO or distilled water were key factors in establishing them in captivity. I've been keeping them for many years now and it's what works for me. So I have no reason to try otherwise. RO filters are not very expensive and RO water is great for all of your herp as well as yourself. It also leaves no water stains on your glass enclosures from misting. As for size of enclosures, an enclosure with lots of plants (real or fake) and other hiding places about the size of a ten gallon tank does fine for a single individual. Here's some pics of some ten gallon tanks that I converted to vertical use: felinus vivariums
And as far as UV light goes, I have not found it as being necessary for cat geckos at all.

MalUK · #7 12-13-2010, 06:20 AM

Thanks for the replys folks. They have been very helpful.

I didnt think there would be much point in using UV other than the appropriate tube for any live plants in the vivs. I know there are a few studies going on at the moment giving low level UV to nocturnal reps that have a bit of dawn / dusk activity. From the information I have gleaned so far it doesnt sound like the cats emerge until its completely dark so its doubtful that they would benefit from even a short exposure period. Its always worth getting peoples real experiences though rather than relying on vague thoughts and theories. Do you use any form of lighting for nocturnal viewing ? I was thinking of either red or blue leds but would avoid them if you felt the cats were distressed by them. Although its claimed many nocturnal reps dont see red lights Ive noticed my G.luiis dont venture out when I have very low output red leds on their tank. I dont want to rig lights up that are going to stress the cats out.

The water filter I have at the moment is meant to remove chlorines, calcium etc etc. However until I get my own RO setup I can get hold of a supply of bottled RO water from a local aquarium / reptile shop. I had read books a few years back that claimed cats were very difficult to keep in captivity. I had always wanted to keep them but its only recently that I have found enough information and had enough confidence in my own abiltites to keep them safely.

As with all my reps, I want them to have the best possible care and setups. Initially they will be kept in planted but pretty basic quarantine setups. The recommended viv dimensions are smaller than I expected. I am hoping to get some custom made acrylic vivs for them so knowing the minimum dimensions is a great help. Given a choice of increasing the siz of vivariums would you say the cats would benefit from extra height in their vivs rather than floor space ?

Im hoping the cats will be with me towards the end of the week. I will hopefully get some pictures when they are safely settled into their quarantine homes. Many thanks for all your help. Im sure I will be asking more questions over the next few months. Its great to find people with good experience who are so willing to share their knowledge. It really is appreciated.

Ozymandias · #8 12-13-2010, 09:48 PM

i would say mine defiantly use the 20 high convert she lives in and i will find her in quite a few stops in the tank a night.

Morvar · #9 12-15-2010, 03:31 AM

Hi,
I don´t use RO, no UV, felinus are kept individually, terrarium size 70x45x50 cm, temperature cca 22 C (17-27 C), using the same temperature for incubation, use mist once a day, feeding 2-3 per week.
Good luck

MalUK · #10 01-10-2011, 04:32 AM

Sorry but I havent had a chance to sit at the comp for ages but would like to wish you all a belated Happy New Year and thankyou all once again for all the very helpful advice.

The Cats arrived with me in mid December and seem to be settling in nicely. Sadly one of the females dropped her tail whilst with the courier and passed away an hour later whilst still in transit. I can only assume that the very long and arduous journey was too stressful for her. The courier I use is a specialist Reptile Courier and I have 100% faith in them and the way the animals are looked after whilst in their care.

The two that made the journey without problem have settled in well. They are such stunning little geckos and I am already absolutly hooked on them. The smaller male is still very secretive but the female puts in an appearance as soon as the lights go out. The night lamp in my rep room doesnt seem to bother her. She hits the crickets as soon as I drop them in her temporary quarantine viv. I managed to get a few photos of her but Ive not managed to get a good shot of the male yet. I hope you enjoy.

She didnt even disturb for this shot.

I love those big dreamy eyes.

Thanks for looking folks.