[stickidd]

Hello all,

My parents surprised me, their broke son, with a white line gecko for a Christmas present. I tried to be optimistic as my dad gave me all of the info that he learned from the people at Petsmart. I really didn't know how bad my situation was until I got home with my new friend and started researching for myself. Here's the rundown of what all my parents purchased:

-13"w x 8"d x 9"h glass terrarium
-Reptibark substrate
-A water and food dish
-A half log hideout
-A lamp & bulb
-Some Mealworms

Now I really don't want to sound ungrateful, as I know they had good intentions, but they also know that I don't have any extra money right now. My guess is they thought this would be enough, but after personally reading up on the species here's the stuff I know that I need to get to really provide a good home. First off his tank is tiny, so that's one of my biggest priorities so he'll actually have some room to climb. Ideally I'd like to get one that's 18"x18"x18". Anyone have any suggestions as to where I could find one that I could afford.

I did make a priority of getting a thermometer and hygrometer and since have struggled to keep his home near 70%. Usually, it hovers around 50-60%. I've read that getting a live plant or moss on top of the substrate helps to retain the moisture. Also, I'm planning on picking up some crickets tomorrow as he really hasn't been interested in the mealworms. I know his home is pretty empty right now but are there any economic suggestions on ways I can improve his environment. I've seen some really beautiful setups throughout the threads on here and it makes me ashamed of his current living conditions.

Finally, I'm a little worried about him because he has been really lethargic since I got him home, as he spends most of the time hiding under his log. I did notice a couple days ago that it looks like he's starting to shed. His head, limbs and tail are all grayish but his body looks somewhat dingy compared to the most pictures that I've seen so I'm hoping that it is the last part to turn gray and he has a nice shed. About how long does the entire shedding process last typically?

I'm sorry this has been so long but any advise at all is greatly appreciated. I really am thankful that my parents introduced me to the species but I just wish that they had consulted me beforehand so I could have helped to ensure they weren't wasting their money on the tiny terrarium and that they understood my perspective on the whole situation.

[Riverside Reptiles]

These guys have good prices on the Zoomed enclosures: Zoo Med Naturalistic Terrariums, Reptiles | Pet Solutions
Even if you can't afford the 18x18x18 right now, the 12x12x18 would be a big step up from what you have and is very affordable. If you're looking for something cheaper than that, perhaps try craigslist for your local area. There's often people selling used enclosures for cheap on there.

A live plant would help humidity and appearance a lot. Pothos is very cheap plant to buy and easy to keep alive and looks nice. You should be able to pick one up at your local Walmart or Home Depot for cheap. Just make sure to repot the plant in soil that you KNOW has no fertilizers in it. Rocks make for a cheap addition to your enclosure that cost basically nothing and will add to a nice naturalistic look (as well as giving him something to rub against when he sheds). Again, make sure to clean them well prior to use.

I know that you said that money is tight, but you may also want to have a vet do a fecal on him. Most of these guys are wild caught and loaded with parasites. You probably don't need a whole exam...just call and tell them that you need a fecal sample checked. It shouldn't cost much and can be done by most any vet worth their weight (ie doesn't have to be a "reptile" vet). As far as the lethargy goes, keep in mind that this animal is stressed to begin with plus he's shedding. Also, they're nocturnal, so don't expect to see him out and about a lot during the day.

Shedding can take a few days. The better his environmental conditions are, the easier it will be for him to shed. Make sure that your heat and humidity are correct (or as near to it as possible). Try a layer of peat under the reptibark to help retain moisture as well.

It sounds like you're on the right track to taking care of him in proper fashion. And you should be able to do so without spending a whole lot of extra dough. Good luck

[Spawn]

Hello:
First of all you should check the animal and make sure they got a healthy one. The best way to check is to look at the pelvic region where the tail joins the body. This area should be full not bony looking. Second, the head should be meaty, not skeletal with slightly sunken eyes. After that you need to remember they are nocturnal and will sleep during the day.
As for housing, a ten gallon tank with a lid would do fine for temporary housing until you could get a larger cage. If you have some live plants (Pothos, inexpensive bromeliads, and Sanseviaria) and other natural furniture such as a couple branches and a cave you create a bit more living space to explore besides the walls of the tank.
After a few days the lizard should calm down and begin feeding.
I hope this info helps. I have kept and bred this species and I find them to be fairly hardy once acclimated. Good Luck!!!
Have a Great Day!!!

[stickidd]

Thanks for the quick replies. I'm off to work, but here's a pic I just took.

[BlakeDeffenbaugh]

Originally Posted by Riverside Reptiles

These guys have good prices on the Zoomed enclosures: Zoo Med Naturalistic Terrariums, Reptiles | Pet Solutions
Even if you can't afford the 18x18x18 right now, the 12x12x18 would be a big step up from what you have and is very affordable. If you're looking for something cheaper than that, perhaps try craigslist for your local area. There's often people selling used enclosures for cheap on there.

I agree. But Zoomed has a bad wrap for having the lock break and you cant get into the cage when that breaks. Go with Exo-Terra they work 100xs better. But I totally agree with Ethan on all but the Zoomed lol.

[stickidd]

I was actually looking at the exo-terra 12"x12"x18" at the store today. It was the complete kit for $90. Very tempting but I might try to talk to my parents about it as a possible early birthday present. I picked up some crickets and saw Fluker's Orange Cubes for feeding the crickets. Is it alright to put one inside with my gecko so the crickets won't eat on him and one piece inside the cricket container?

[stickidd]

Also about the crickets, what is the best way to obtain them? When I got home and opened up the 25 ct carton of crickets from Petsmart, probably less than 10 were alive.

[Riverside Reptiles]

I have several of the Zoomeds and haven't had any problems with them. But I can see where, if you weren't careful with them the latch could break. Anyway check out that link above...they sell the exoterra's at a good price also. They just cost a bit more than the zoomeds. Same basic thing though.

And yes, you can put a cube of that cricket stuff inside the enclosure to keep them off the lizard. A piece of fruit or leftover veggies from dinner work just as well if you run out of those cricket bites.

[Riverside Reptiles]

Originally Posted by stickidd

Also about the crickets, what is the best way to obtain them? When I got home and opened up the 25 ct carton of crickets from Petsmart, probably less than 10 were alive.

Order them in bulk and then breed them. Or even better switch to tropical roaches and breed them. You'll wear yourself out trying to run to the pet store all the time just to get food for the lizard. Much easier to just have a big tub of them on hand. A lot cheaper too.

[Saille]

Hey there, you can treat this guy basically as a Crested Gecko, only you'd keep your White Lined warmer. Mist him with water at night, and that should help his ambient humidity up. Empty paper towel tubes are a very cheap and very much appreciated free hide. As he's new, I would ditch the reptibark and keep him on paper towels. That way, you can monitor his poop and get a fecal done to make sure he's clear of parasites. Its a lot cheaper to bring a refrigerated fecal sample in than to bring the whole gecko if money is the issue, though I recommend a full check up if its possible.
try Herp Vet Connection
or ARAV redirect to find a decent reptile vet near your area.

Cheap decorations can be fake leaves and plants and vines type of stuff from a Michaels craft store. Much cheaper than buying from the pet store, and you can wash them with soap and water as well. (sometimes, even dollar stores or good will carries these just stay away from ones that have stupid stuff like glitter on them, or too many flowers.)
Crickets are a decent food for these guys though mine love roaches and even the occasional superworms. Gutload your insects for at least 3 hours before putting them in with your lizard, so they're more nutritious for him.
(what the insects eat, your gecko will ultimately eat too, so I would feed collard greens, fresh fruit like apples and orange slices, etc. and try and go organic as much as you can)

Your gecko looks pretty thin, so he's very likely a wild caught one. Get him a vet check up, give him a couple days to acclimate to your home, and if you can get a red night time bulb to bump up his temps at night, he should be ok. These guys are quite hardy for sure.

Oh, for the record, I like the Exo terra cages. I have heard about Zoomeds breaking as well and thankfully have not ever had to deal with that at all on my various Exos.
Good luck!