[allen]

For the people who have ebenaui and/or phantasticus( the normals, not the cf. species) What kind of temp do you keep them on?

As far as i can find in lliterature, phantasticus is mostly found in high altitude while ebenaui is found lower and there for better warmth-resistant.
Is this correct? Can someone confirm this with data of their own animals?

Reason i ask is because in general, phantasticus are more beautiful in colors and looks then ebenaui in my opignion. But i rather like a species that can take some heat without too much problems. Animals are WC, but acclimatised, if someone was gonna ask this...

greetz
Allen

[GaryCrain]

Id like to see what Graham has to say about this...since he is getting eggs

I keep my aff at normal house temps 75-80 durning the summer and 60-75 in the winter. They were throwing slugs during the colder part of the year.

[RFB2]

This is a topic I had planed on writing about in the near future.

I have both species, ebens and phantastics, and have had success breeding them. I keep both species the exact same way. I keep mine at what you would consider room temperature. The average ambient temp in the room is around 75*F during the day and 65*F at night. However, both cages have a double florescent uvb tubes that rest directly on the screen of the top cover.

At the direct top of the cage where the lights are located it can reach almost 80- 90*F. This hot spot is located only at the last inch of height of the enclosure and runs the length and width of the light bulbs. This is where my phantasticus sleep, all of them, for the past 1.5 years. According to what all the care information recommends, they should be near death. This is not the case; they seem to enjoy the warmth. Granted, if the room temp rose to 80*F that would mean that my cage temp by the lights would rise also. Probably close to if not exceeding 100*F. With that temp I would not feel very confident in their comfort, but I do not think they would be sleeping at the top of the cage either.


I actually think the U.phantasticus are more durable then most think. I firmly believe that the night drop of 10-15*F along with controlled humidity is what is essential to keep this species successfully.

[gollum]

Like RFB2, I have both species.
I keep them in the same way, but I had success with Phantasticus and not with Ebenaui.
Now I try to heat the top of Ebenui cage with low wattage spot, will see.

[allen]

The reason i ask is because im moving to an appartment.
So temperature tend to go up in the summer in there.
If really necesarry, there is a basement few floors lower, but this is only if really needed. I like to keep the animals with me when possible.
If it was my own house with a cellar, no problem what so ever.

RFB2, are your animals wc or cb? Cause cb`s tend to be harder then wc`s.

According to what all the care information recommends, they should be near death.

This is why im looking for personal experience like yours. Books are good guidelines, but not always 100% correct.

thanks anyway all for your input.

greetz
Allen

ps: Simone, will try to catch you on msn one of these days.

[RFB2]

Mine are all W/C. The have all adjusted well to captivity and are thriving.

[Jody Ettema]

Hello there,

I am also keeping both species and their cages stand aside eachother in my kitchen. Both only have daylight spiral light of 15watt on top of the enclosure. Both enclosures are 40x40x60cm and well planted. My ebenaui are producing eggs, but my phantasticus have not been in reproduction (I have them for 2 years). Both enclosures have a temperature of 22 degrees Celsius, with appr. 70/80% humidity. I am thinking about putting phantasticus outside of the house after the summer to see what happens. I think that ebenaui are more heat resistant than phantasticus, but I have not experienced with that. Good luck trying Allen!

[allen]

Thanks Jody,
I will see what comes around. Will let you guys know something.

greetz
allen

[luevelvet]

I just took some temp readings last night and all 6 of our Phantasticus are at a constant 74.5. It does drop a little at night, but I haven't made any direct effort to lower their temps at night. I have a fluorescent fixture about a foot above the enclosure so they get no warmth from that. I find them sleeping in random spots throughout the day, occasionally moving slightly to reposition. I have red LED's for night time observation and never notice them uncomfortable with the temps etc. Based on what I've read, I've been reluctant o add any source of heat, which is why we've raised the fixture above the cage, but now you have me thinking. I wonder if their natural habitat raises that much during the day in turn providing enough warmth for digestion and general metabolism.

Luis

[RFB2]

I wish Miguel would get in on this thread.

If what you are doing is working and you are confident that they are healthy, then I see little reason to change your routine. I was trying to convey that there is still little known about the" exact" proper husbandry techniques of these geckos through my experience with them. There is really only one care sheet that I think is even worth reading and that is written by "Miguel" Mike Martin. This has been a great guide for me. He has taken out a ton of the guess work out for us hobbyist, but there are few keys to success that will take a while to figure out.

In short there is a huge grey area.