[Art~Gecko]

Hi all, posting for the first time here. My gecko, cleverly named Art Gecko, passed away sometime last night. (Was kind enough to wait until after Christmas.) Art was 23 years old, so had a good life. We are now strongly considering a replacement, but after reading so much conflicting information on getting a juvenile versus an adult, and substrate requirements, here I am. Are we better off getting a non-juvenile? (Which is what Art was.) Less worries with impaction, etc? BTW -- Art was kept his/her (don't really know!) entire life on sand, and ate crickets off sand as well, with nary a problem. If we get a juvenile, is there a set time frame that they must not be kept on a loose substrate? Also, as Art died of old age, do we need to take special measures to sterilize the tank, or are we better off getting a whole new set up?

Thanks for any input!

Bobbie

[acpart]

Welcome to GU. 23 years is very impressive! My oldest leopard gecko is 8 and I'm hoping for a long life for many of mine as well. The jury is out still on sand for leopard geckos. Many do fine. Some people who keep their leopard geckos on sand feel strongly that leos who get impacted when on sand do so because of poor husbandry,not the sand. I generally avoid the sand because I feel it isn't a substrate of their native environment. As I've posted before, nearly all my leopard geckos are on ceramic tile except for 1 enclosure that has 2-3 females on a mixture of coco fiber, desert sand and leaf litter. Everyone is doing fine. As long as you've ruled out a baby, I find that with my hatchlings, by the time most of them are 3-4 months old they've already hit 30 grams or so which is a very respectable weight. I would recommend being open to a juvenile or adult and then finding something that appeals to you.

Aliza

[Art~Gecko]

Originally Posted by acpart

Welcome to GU. 23 years is very impressive! My oldest leopard gecko is 8 and I'm hoping for a long life for many of mine as well. The jury is out still on sand for leopard geckos. Many do fine. Some people who keep their leopard geckos on sand feel strongly that leos who get impacted when on sand do so because of poor husbandry,not the sand. I generally avoid the sand because I feel it isn't a substrate of their native environment. As I've posted before, nearly all my leopard geckos are on ceramic tile except for 1 enclosure that has 2-3 females on a mixture of coco fiber, desert sand and leaf litter. Everyone is doing fine. As long as you've ruled out a baby, I find that with my hatchlings, by the time most of them are 3-4 months old they've already hit 30 grams or so which is a very respectable weight. I would recommend being open to a juvenile or adult and then finding something that appeals to you.

Aliza

Thanks so much for your response Aliza. Sounds like you have a gaggle of geckos! (Is that the right term? ) I guess I just got lucky with my Art Gecko. She actually started out living on gravel for a few years as I didn't know any better. I like your recommendation for seeing who appeals to me, will get the tank ready for occupancy and then go have a look!

[lauraleellbp]

Welcome to GU!

[Elizabeth Freer]

Originally Posted by Art~Gecko

Hi all, posting for the first time here. My gecko, cleverly named Art Gecko, passed away sometime last night. (Was kind enough to wait until after Christmas.) Art was 23 years old, so had a good life. We are now strongly considering a replacement, but after reading so much conflicting information on getting a juvenile versus an adult, and substrate requirements, here I am. Are we better off getting a non-juvenile? (Which is what Art was.) Less worries with impaction, etc? BTW -- Art was kept his/her (don't really know!) entire life on sand, and ate crickets off sand as well, with nary a problem. If we get a juvenile, is there a set time frame that they must not be kept on a loose substrate? Also, as Art died of old age, do we need to take special measures to sterilize the tank, or are we better off getting a whole new set up?

Thanks for any input!

Bobbie

Hello Bobbie ~

A hearty welcome to Geckos Unlimited! Sorry to hear of Art's passing. 23 years is quite the life for a leo! Had you had him his whole life?

Even though Art died of old age, I would still sterilize it all before starting with a new gecko.

Slate tile is my recommendation for a substrate. I have heard that while slate tile is an excellent heat conductor, ceramic tile is not. If I am wrong, please let me know.

You may find some ideas in my leo recommendations: http://www.geckosunlimited.com/commu...11-update.html

[Art~Gecko]

Originally Posted by Elizabeth Freer

Hello Bobbie ~

A hearty welcome to Geckos Unlimited! Sorry to hear of Art's passing. 23 years is quite the life for a leo! Had you had him his whole life?

Even though Art died of old age, I would still sterilize it all before starting with a new gecko.

Slate tile is my recommendation for a substrate. I have heard that while slate tile is an excellent heat conductor, ceramic tile is not. If I am wrong, please let me know.

You may find some ideas in my leo recommendations: http://www.geckosunlimited.com/commu...11-update.html

Thanks Elizabeth, I'd had Art since just past his juvenile phase, he even survived a long move.
We actually decided to start with a whole new setup, except we kept the top of the tank we had before, which had been super duper cat proofed with hardware cloth. (Had lost a day gecko to a cat who punched in the screen top, even though they assured me it was totally cat proof... )
Now for the hard part ~~ coming up with a name!!!!

Bobbie

[Elizabeth Freer]

You are most welcome, Bobbie. Best wishes with your new leo.....