Hi I'm new =) and I am the new owner of a Giant leaf-tailed gecko!

Madagascar Uroplatus · #1 05-19-2011, 10:53 PM

Hi everyone! I just brought home a male giant leaf-tailed gecko today, I was told he is almost 2 years old. He has been at the pet store for almost a year...I am surprised no one has bought him yet! I have gone in to visit him a few times over the last 6 months, I finally broke down today and bought him

Any helpful advice on long-term care? I am looking into getting him a 40-55 gallon tank. I heard taller is better than longer - true? Any tips for keeping him happy would be great!

Anyone else here have one? Please share details and pictures, I would love to see!

Here is my guy, Monty

(sorry if the pic is sideways...!)

Hannibal · #2 05-19-2011, 11:56 PM

Welcome to GU! That sure is a close-up shot of Monty. I am finding that the Uroplatus are very addicting. I just got my 1.2 Sikorae today, so I'll let someone with more experience to advise on LTC.

Madagascar Uroplatus · #3 05-20-2011, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hannibal

Welcome to GU! That sure is a close-up shot of Monty. I am finding that the Uroplatus are very addicting. I just got my 1.2 Sikorae today, so I'll let someone with more experience to advise on LTC.

Thanks! The shot is very close-up...it's my "goofy angle" picture of him. I will get some better ones of him after he settles in =) I don't want to stress him out by handling him too much right now. I have no idea what these references to 1.1 or 1.2 stand for...can you explain? I would love to see pics of yours!

Lordoftheswarms · #4 05-20-2011, 01:57 AM

That looks like a heat light based on how red that picture is. You might want to research if they can tolerate heat. Most Uroplatus can't.

Madagascar Uroplatus · #5 05-20-2011, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lordoftheswarms

That looks like a heat light based on how red that picture is. You might want to research if they can tolerate heat. Most Uroplatus can't.

Hi, I read that they prefer temperatures between 70-75 degrees, my house naturally maintains around 64 degrees so I put the heat lamp in there to maintain around 70 at night and between 75-80 during the day. Do you think that is too much?

Thanks!

Madagascar Uroplatus · #6 05-20-2011, 08:28 AM

Hi everyone, I am a proud new owner of a giant leaf-tailed gecko! Here is my intro thread if you want to catch up:

http://www.geckosunlimited.com/commu...tml#post313416

My question is in reference to heat...I read that they like to be in 70-75 degrees with high humidity. My house naturally stays a cool 64 degrees so I put a heat lamp at the top of his cage to maintain 70 at night, and between 75-80 during the day. Is this too warm? A member on here said the uroplatus may not be able to tolerate a heat lamp?

And another question - I was told he would get very stressed if handled too much. Is this true? Can I take him out once in a while to just chill with him or should I literally keep hands off as much as possible? I don't mind either way, I just want him to be a healthy boy. Thanks!

Lordoftheswarms · #7 05-20-2011, 10:30 AM

If anything, I would have a heat pad under the tank. This will keep the humidity up, and raise the temperature a little bit, but not as much as you are now.

I handle my uroplatus and many other geckos only when necessary.
I appreciate most of my animals from a distance.

**Graham_s** · #8 05-20-2011, 10:44 AM

Do you have any photos of your setup? These geckos need very large vivaria...

As you're a new keeper, take a look at this care sheet on the Uroplatus Information Centre (UIC)

Justin · #9 05-20-2011, 10:54 AM

Are these not questions that should have been asked before you got a U. fimbriatus?

Without sounding too harsh, if you think you can "just chill" with a gecko then maybe you should stick with leopard geckos and cresteds rather than jumping into Uroplatus as they are not for novices.

**Elizabeth Freer** · #10 05-20-2011, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madagascar Uroplatus

Hi everyone! I just brought home a male giant leaf-tailed gecko today, I was told he is almost 2 years old. He has been at the pet store for almost a year...I am surprised no one has bought him yet! I have gone in to visit him a few times over the last 6 months, I finally broke down today and bought him

Any helpful advice on long-term care? I am looking into getting him a 40-55 gallon tank. I heard taller is better than longer - true? Any tips for keeping him happy would be great!

Anyone else here have one? Please share details and pictures, I would love to see!

Here is my guy, Monty

(sorry if the pic is sideways...!)

Hello Madagascar Uroplatus ~

Uroplatus fimbriatus are beautiful and sensitive geckos. I do NOT recommend handling him more than is absolutely necessary!

In case you have not found this, here is a very recent thread of nOOb owners of a pair of Uroplatus fimbriatus: Just showing off our new Giant Leaf Tailed Geckos :) Please read from it and learn as well as from the care sheet Graham has just linked. These guys are extremely sensitive to too much heat. All recommendations should be followed quite precisely!

Numbers:
"1.2" indicates 1 male, 2 females

males.females.unknowns