Adopted Golden Gecko PLEASE HELP!!!!!

KML585 · #1 09-13-2011, 12:45 AM

So my boyfriend and i adopted this poor abused golden gecko from a family this past saturday. The poor girl had moss in her tank and a log home that was filled with moss so she couldn't even get into it. We decided to save her and take care of her since we have previous gecko experience. We currently have 2 crested geckos, a leopard gecko, and 5 ft ball python and are stumped by the beautiful girl. We cleaned her tank and changed the moss that was full of cat hair and what looked like mold to coconut bedding and we put paper towels in the tank just to make sure she was using the bathroom. We threw out everything that was in her tank and gave her a new wood hut, we got tree branches from my uncles yard and baked them properly to get rid of all outside things that might harm her and put 2 vines with leaves (plastic) as a start for her. we also replaced the terribly cracked metal dish they had for her with a mealworm dish and a corner rock dish for water. we have been putting food in her tank every night and she will not eat for us and that is the problem. we don't know if we shocked her with new smells and surrounding for the bareness of her tank she had for a little over a year or if she is still acclimating. what if we are just not doing things right? If someone could please help us figure out what is wrong with our young girl or tell us we are just worrying to much, I would massively appreciate the help.

PassPort · #2 09-13-2011, 01:16 AM

Most geckos won't eat for a few days after being introduced to a new habitat, some calmer species like leos or cresteds can adjust quicker though. Goldens need heat too. What are the temps?

KML585 · #3 09-13-2011, 01:49 AM

her temps always vary from 75 to 80 and this is just with a lamp. we have a heat pad but we didnt install it because we didnt know if she needed it. the lamp is 75 watts and we switch from the day to black light night bulbs that are made just for reptiles. we had the day light on all day to keep optimum temperature for her and we now have the black light on to keep it steady we dont know how big of a temp drop she can handle and she sticks to sitting right in the corner where her lamp shines in the cage we still need a proper poll so we can fit the lamp and have it shine from the top of her tank instead of the side.

**Riverside Reptiles** · #4 09-13-2011, 11:56 AM

Your temps need to be higher. A thermostat will help keep the temps consistent. Make sure she has plenty of vertical hiding places. Remember, these are arboreal animals that don't tend to spend time on the ground unless they have to. Also, it's almost guaranteed that she's a wild caught animal and is loaded with parasites. So, a trip to the vet for a fecal exam and treatment is likely in order. In my experience, goldens are not big on eating mealworms. They tend to like things that move more. Try crickets, tropical roaches, etc. And, as Kevin already mentioned, it can often take a while for them to acclimate. So, the less stress the better. Don't stare at her, poke her, tap on the glass, etc. Give her lots of hiding places (bamboo tubes, pvc tubes, paper towel tubes, plants to hide behind, etc). And just leave her alone as much as possible. Also, make sure to mist her a couple of times per day as hydration is very important.

PassPort · #5 09-13-2011, 12:29 PM

Bingo. To add to what Ethan said ambient air temps need to be up around 78-84F with a 90-95F basking spot. These are hardy geckos, but come from a VERY tropical area, so higher temps and humidity are pretty crucial to their long term well being.

Do it up!

KML585 · #6 09-13-2011, 12:41 PM

i think we need to buy higher watt light because we have the 75 watt light on 24 hrs a day and the highest the temp will get is 80. we have both a thermostat and a humidity gauge we can get a proper humidity that she needs but we cannot get the temp up to 85 we can only keep it at a steady 80. for the time being we have a heat pad on the top right side of the tank near the basking light not underneath the tank so that she can easily warm herself though it is not ideal for the time being it seems like an ok fix. she seems to enjoy sitting on the glass where the heat pad is and under the light at the same time. we cannot raise the temp of the whole room because we have the leo cresties and the ball python in the same room so we cannot raise the room temp to what she needs for all the other reptiles will suffer and that is not fair to let 4 reptiles suffer so one can be happy. this weekend we are going to get a better light and remove the heat pad so maybe we can regulate the tank to the optimum temperature that she needs.

**Riverside Reptiles** · #7 09-13-2011, 01:17 PM

Instead of getting a heat lamp, my suggestion would be a CHE (ceramic heat element). They last a lot longer than any bulb, and they put off heat with no light. This allows you to have it on 24 hours/day. Remember, these geckos are nocturnal and don't need any added light. Here's some good examples: Reptile Ceramic Heat Emitters, Heating Elements and Bulbs

Also, don't overlook the other advice that's been mentioned. Heat alone is likely not the issue. It's often a combination of factors that lead to an animal going off food (or being otherwise unhealthy). One of the first things that I would do is have a fecal exam for parasites and stick a few vertical hides in to help with stress issues.

PassPort · #8 09-13-2011, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KML585

we cannot raise the temp of the whole room because we have the leo cresties and the ball python in the same room so we cannot raise the room temp to what she needs for all the other reptiles will suffer and that is not fair to let 4 reptiles suffer so one can be happy.

Actually, those ambient temps are perfect for the leopard gecko and the ball python and they should also have hot spots in the mid 90F range. The crested gecko is the odd one out with needing temps in the 72-80F range.

Also all of your species would be comfortable from a 4-6 degree night time temp drop.

MauricesExoticPets · #9 09-13-2011, 05:29 PM

I get 120°F basking spot temps with 75w halogen reflector type bulbs (monitors), and have no issue creating thermal gradients from 90°F down to ambient room temperature with 11" 20w per foot flexwatt.

You have excessive airflow issues. Fix that and your temperature issues will be simple to fix.

Fake or live plants are a must. Most Holden's are shy and don't like being seen.

Maurice Pudlo

KML585 · #10 09-14-2011, 11:44 AM

thank you guys so much for the help we are going to fix many of these things and check on her to make sure she doesnt have paracites we just checked with petco to see if they have the heat emitter and we will also get more hiding places for her so she is more comfy. as i said her tank when we got her was empty and now she has a nice house and 3 giant sticks and 2 vines but we will fill her tank up with a lot more stuff on friday when we get paid. so once again guys than you, you were a lot of help.