Crocodile gecko (Tarentola mauritanica) has chiggers

Mr.Gecko · #1 02-10-2011, 11:37 PM

Last week, I went to the pet store to see their selection of pets and the geckos they had really caught my eye. There was a Tokay Gecko which was one of the most beautiful reptiles I've ever seen and there was a pair of "Moorish Wall Geckos" that looked quite brilliant in their dinosaur-like appearance. At that point I went home to do some research on these geckos and decided to get the Moorish Wall Gecko. I read a lot about them and how they should be housed, and went outside to get some sticks for it to climb on and hide under. Well, apparently I didn't research enough because this was obviously a dumb mistake. Two days later I came home from class and was admiring my gecko when I noticed it had chiggers on it! I asked the guy at the pet store what to do and he sold me some "Reptile Relief" to take home and apply to the gecko after cleaning out his tank thoroughly. He also said I need to keep the gecko in a bare tank until it has no more chiggers. I think the Reptile Relief has helped its chigger problem but it hasn't gotten rid of all of them yet. The gecko has been sitting in a tank with just paper towels in the mean time and I can tell it really hates it. So I'm here for a second opinion. Can I make the tank a more gecko friendly place?

Also, I've got a few questions about its health when I got it. The pet store owner said it hadn't been sexed and was about 9 months old. I just weighed it a minute ago and it weighs 4.4 grams. Should it be bigger than this at this age? It seems kind of skinny compared to the pictures I've seen online, and its tail completely lacks fatness. Also, is it normal for its feet to not be very sticky? I've seen pictures of these geckos sticking to sides of aquariums, but mine couldn't do that even if it wanted to. It has a hard time climbing up my arm; it might not even be able to do that if my arm wasn't so hairy.

Thanks for all your help! Other than having a red-ear turtle when I was younger, I'm new to keeping reptiles. I feel so bad for giving my gecko chiggers, and I just want it to be comfortable and happy.

Lordoftheswarms · #2 02-11-2011, 02:34 AM

If it were the tokay, I would suggest:
Bump up the humidity as high as you can. Reduce ventilation, increase heat, offer food after these conditions have been provided, and offer a few food items frequently.

But for the Crocodile gecko, I have only briefly cared for a group, and it has been a long time, so I have very little advice.

Just so we are clear, chiggers are mites right? A flee collar for dogs on top of the cage for a few days seems to do the trick.

Mr.Gecko · #3 02-11-2011, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lordoftheswarms

If it were the tokay, I would suggest:
Bump up the humidity as high as you can. Reduce ventilation, increase heat, offer food after these conditions have been provided, and offer a few food items frequently.

But for the Crocodile gecko, I have only briefly cared for a group, and it has been a long time, so I have very little advice.

Just so we are clear, chiggers are mites right? A flee collar for dogs on top of the cage for a few days seems to do the trick.

Chiggers are a larval stage for red mites. Thanks, I'll try the dog collar. When can I put some hides and climbing materials back in his cage? He's just sitting on paper towels right now.... Other than seeming kind of stressed from his containment and having chiggers, he seems fine. He eats and poops just fine.

oli · #4 02-24-2011, 11:35 AM

I'm not really convinced that you gave him mites. I'm not really sure how you noticed mite larvae on him, but unless you are in the mid-west I don't think 'chiggers' are a big issue in reptiles generally, plus most of those insects are pretty host specific. You should get a product called provent-a-mite. That will help you to take care of your problems effectively. Feed him more often if he is thin and constantly clean his enclosure until all the mites are gone, and wipe down the enclosure with this provent a mite as it will kill mites long after it is dried.

**Riverside Reptiles** · #5 02-24-2011, 12:05 PM

Mites can be very much a pain to get rid of. IMO the animal probably came from the pet store with the mites. You should take a pair of tweezers and pick off all of the visible mites from the gecko. If you want to, put some temporary hides in their like paper towel or toilet paper tubes. Throw them away and put fresh ones in each time you clean the cage. Your gecko may be having issues with shedding if it can't climb properly. Or it may be residue from the stuff you've sprayed on him and the tank. Once you pick off all of the mites from him, try putting him in a different enclosure (like a cheap rubbermaid tub from Walmart) for a week or so. Clean the old enclosure and all of the accessories and let them sit empty for that time. If everything seems ok after that time, put him back in his normal enclosure with his normal stuff.

oli · #6 02-24-2011, 12:12 PM

olive oil is supposedly good for suffocating the mites too! Only the extra virgin cold pressed types tho

**Riverside Reptiles** · #7 02-24-2011, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oli

olive oil is supposedly good for suffocating the mites too! Only the extra virgin cold pressed types tho

I always make sure to rub my geckos down with olive oil just before I throw them on the grill. Makes them nice and crispy, and adds a nice flavor too. A little "Old Bay" seasoning really kicks it up a notch as well.

oli · #8 02-24-2011, 01:45 PM

indeed, the grilling process works well on the mites too lol

Mr.Gecko · #9 03-02-2011, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oli

I'm not really convinced that you gave him mites. I'm not really sure how you noticed mite larvae on him, but unless you are in the mid-west I don't think 'chiggers' are a big issue in reptiles generally, plus most of those insects are pretty host specific. You should get a product called provent-a-mite. That will help you to take care of your problems effectively. Feed him more often if he is thin and constantly clean his enclosure until all the mites are gone, and wipe down the enclosure with this provent a mite as it will kill mites long after it is dried.

They were just tiny little red bumps on his skin. My research on chiggers indicated that they actually prefer reptile hosts. Anyway, they're all gone now and he seems like a pretty happy little guy. Also, he is gaining weight. I weighed him a couple of days after this post and he weighed 4.3 grams and this past saturday he weighed in at 5.1 grams. His feet still aren't very sticky, but he hasn't shed since my last post either.

Now I think he may be constipated, though. Both yesterday and today, he had rather large poops and was very vocal while they were happening. It was kind of humorous at first, but then I got kind of concerned when it happened again tonight. Should I be worried about that?

oli · #10 03-02-2011, 10:09 AM

It's not common for geckos to be vocal while defacating so it seems like an indication that something is up. I have never even heard of this, but indeed it was rather humorous to read but upon further thought I kinda feel bad for the little guy. Hopefully someone can chime in here that has had experiences similar to this. It is great that he is gaining weight, eating, and that his mites are gone though. It would not hurt to take him to a qualified reptile vet if that is possible.