[LinkinParkRulez08]

Hello all-
A place near me has some Phelsuma laticauda that are WC, but have started the acclimation process at their facility. My question is, how hard is it to acclimate WC Phelsuma? I want to get a smaller species, along with a larger species, and I think these may be the ones I'm going to get, if acclimation isn't known to be REALLY DIFFICULT.

Thanks,
LPR08

[daggekko]

Is this place near you a retail store or an importer? I don't want to know the name of the place(it is not a good idea to say bad things about people on forums)

If it is a retail store acclimation should be real easy. If it is an importer and they are FRESH wc, it could be much more difficult. In the past when I've bought different types of reptiles I found one particular importer was terrible. They had animals in VERY poor health. I've seen others where the animals were always robust too. If this place is an importer I would recommend asking them what all is involved in their acclimation process. It could be some dewormers or maybe just a few feedings to see how the animals are doing.

If you find out that some sort of medicine is being given as part of the acclimation you should probably wait to get the geckos.

If you get the geckos, just make sure you have the enclosures set up and heated properly before buying the geckos. Also, I would order yourself some Repashy Day Gecko MRP. Phelsuma love this stuff! I use bottle caps and velcro to feed it. I put the lid kindof close to the heat source, but not right under it. Keeping it up off the floor will increase the interest in it. Also, since they are new geckos, for the first few weeks I would personally feed them daily until you are sure that they are eating and seem healthy. I feed my geckos crickets usually 2 times a week, sometimes 3, and Repashy 2 times a week.

Don't hover over the enclosure for the first few weeks too. They tend to be shy at first. I try to sit back and watch sometimes to see how they act. If you hover over the enclosure it could keep them from wanting to eat

Gold Dusts are very easy to keep!

[LinkinParkRulez08]

So if they've been dewormed that's not good?

LPR08

[colinmelsom]

Is it not possible to get captive bred ones in the States?You really will not have as many problems with captive bred ones.

Let the store/importer have the hassle. if you are going to buy imported ones.They should be able to acclimatize them ,and deal with any losses that occur.

I have had wild caught ones and it really is the luck of the draw,some make and some dont.They are often stressed and dehydrated and you dont know what internal problems they may have.

[lauraleellbp]

Personally I'm usually willing to pay 2x as much to get CB rather than deal with potential health issues (especially possibly contagious and hard to eradicate parasites and diseases) that are all too common with WC livestock.

With CB, you can usually have a better idea how old they are and most animals are more comfortable being out and about even when you're present. WC animals often will hide as soon as you walk in a room. Not as much fun to keep an animal you never see, plus it's that much harder to just monitor their overall condition.

[daggekko]

It is possible to get CB in the states. Problem with the CB is that I was selling them for around $45+- and had them up for sale on 3 sites and out of 6 was only able to sell 2. I think most people in the states would rather pay $20 for WC adults rather than spend a whole lot more for CB youngsters.

It is good if they are dewormed(if the importer knows what they are doing). I had 2 pairs of WC Gold Dusts and the first pair I got from a reptile show and NEVER had any issues with them. The other pair I rescued from bad owners off craigslist.com and thought one was going to die. They are both really shy but doing really good now! If you know what your looking at you'd probably be ok with WC adults. CB is always better if you can get some!

[daggekko]

I know it is still early but did you end up picking up any Phelsuma and the repticon this weekend? Best of luck with them!

[LinkinParkRulez08]

Nope. The show is in two weeks. Still doing research!

LPR08