[Mallick]

Originally Posted by jadrig

Books are basically only good for pictures these days...limited pictures.
Well, books are good for making the authors money...
These forums are the best source of knowledge, especially for this species. I am just glad that this new keeper found this source of info.

Sorry to break your mirror but i have to disagree on the book argument. If you tend to keep Uroplatus, Svatek and Van Duin's book is a treasure of information. I got this book 8 months before i bought a Uroplatus, read it three times, made a viv, took shots and posted them on here for feedback, readjusted and bought my phants about 10 months ago. Uroplatus aren't animals for impulse purchases, they are way too delicate. Then you should get a leopard gecko or something (not that i'm saying you should impulse-buy an animal, it should never be done...) A forum like this is mainly for hearing for other people 's opinions and experiences, not an insta-caresheet. Imagine we have to answer the same questions every day... Also why buy and then ask? U don't buy a shiny new car before you learn how to drive, do you?

[Deva]

This has been a valuable thread. Thanks to all. I am considering owning one of these species and do not fully yet know of its requirements and if I can succeed in duplicating them. I have read the care sheet, but I have still appreciated reading this.

[Mickej]

So Jadrig you actually think that its a good thing or atleast ok for people to buy animals they have no clue how to take care of?

I´ve been in the reptile hobby for almost 15 years now and always felt that its my responsibility as an petowner to get the knowledge needed to take care of the animals i take in to my home.
Buying a sensitive and treathened species like phantasticus without knowing anything about it isnt something you should get a pat on the back for.
Somethings you need to find out for yourself and learn by caring for less complicated and sensitive species first.

best regards

[Mickej]

Originally Posted by Deva

This has been a valuable thread. Thanks to all. I am considering owning one of these species and do not fully yet know of its requirements and if I can succeed in duplicating them. I have read the care sheet, but I have still appreciated reading this.

Hi Deva, Thank you for starting in the right end of owning animals. Things you should think about regarding Uroplatus ssp. is temprature, humidity (which shouldnt be a problem in florida) and caging. Give them space to move around and they will love you for it
I would to recomend the book mentioned above.

Leaf-tailed geckos:The genus Uroplatus, is a very good and reliable source of information. Lots of pictures of different animals, how to setup terrariums and pics from their natural habitat so you can get an idea of how you want the terrarium to look.

You can get it here:

http://www.amazon.com/Keeping-Breedi.../dp/3930612836

[Deva]

Thank you for your reply, Mickej

I am going to go to a reptile show in August and see what is available. I would rather purchase whatever it is when I have a chance to see what I am buying.

I have never kept reptiles before. I have only kept tropical fish and newts. My Chinese Emperor newts don't move around much during the day and I rarely see them. So my cat isn't interested too much either. With reptiles I think this might be different. I have a sneaky cat and can picture her opening the door (yes, its possible!) and grabbing the poor reptile out of my hand. Its a nightmare I have.

I love the uroplatus although I don't think I have ever seen one before.

Day geckos would do well outdoors here in south Florida if they had the proper cage to keep out rats and raccoons. It would have to be something pretty stout. The uroplatus wouldn't work outdoors because they would love the humidity but hate the summer temperatures. I don't know if I can provide the misting they would need without figuring out some kind of automatic misting system.

Anyway, these are some of my considerations. I thank you for the book recommendation.

[D.B.Johnson]

Deva,

If you haven't had any geckos (or reptiles of any kind before), You may want to check out a book entitled "Geckoes", by Henkel and Schmidt. It's a great book covering basically all the geckos you're ever likely to come across. It'll give you some general info about geckos that you will not find in the Uroplatus book. There are plenty of very cool gecko species that will be hardier and more forgiving than leaf tails--especially phantasticus. At any rate I think you would really get a lot from the Geckoes book, whatever you decide.

Doug