Help with Panther Gecko Setup!

[Blazefu]

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Hey guys, new to GU. I had a leapord gecko a few years ago. Just recently got a Panther gecko, probably 3 weeks ago. I've done as much research as i can, but not always able to find what im looking for, so figured i'd post here and perhaps some of you advanced GU's can help me out. He's still a baby, probably about 8 weeks old i'd say. I am posting a picture of his current setup.

The red bulb is just a 40w Infrared bulb, i usually just leave it on at night, im in florida so its already kinda hot during the daytime. The temps in there usually range around 82-88 degrees. The humidity stays around 40%. Im not sure the exact humidity to keep it around but i have a spray bottle for misting(some advice on that would be good, i.e times per day/week etc.) I dont have a heating pad yet, but im about to pick one up. He does have his 2 hides, the log on the right, i put the green moss in, which he's always in there in the day, and he usually chills ontop of the half log, sometimes under it all night.

Anything to help me upgrade his tank to better standards to make life better for him, would be great. I'm not happy with the Repti-carpet, he's gotten his snout stuck in it twice now snatching up a cricket, and i've had to help him free. I have the calcium sand, but from the impaction i've read, i dont want that in there. Someone suggested some walnut sand?

Also, he's almost impossible to handle, he's so freaking fast in there. and when i go to pick him up, his tail curls strait up lol. But he's ok once i hold him. I've handled him maybe 4 times in the near month i've had him. I am hoping he'll not be so skittish as he mature's. Sorry for long post, hope to hear some great info and idea's from you guys, Thanks !!

[LordNyax]

While I have only had my Picta's for a few months, I would suggest some leafy cover. My pair tend to lick the leaves of plants after I spray. I spray daily but live in a drier climate. I know people say that they don't like climbing but mine love climbing on rocks and what not, especially things with crevices. I use coco fiber and haven't had a problem with that at all. Hope that helps a little, like I said I haven't been at this long but that's what I have found so far.

[Blazefu]

Thanks for a few replies. I went to get some better subtrate but they were out of what i needed, so i'll have to check around to find it. I think he's doing better i flipped the carpet over to the much more thin side of it, and he's ok with that. Yes i realized i put the light to much in the middle, i fixed that, shifted his water closer to his cooler hide, i also bought some more plant like leafs last night. Im putting up 2 pictures of what its like now, and a shot of him being lazy on his log =)

Once i put those new plant like in there, he got soooo excited it took him like 30 seconds to run over there and start scoping it out, he was soo hyper last night after the change a little!! He even let me hold him for almost half an hour! I may just stick with the carpet, but i'd like to pimp out his pad over time. (i build import cars so naturally i always wanna deck out something right?) Thanks you guys! hope to hear more!

[Riverside Reptiles]

Cypress mulch makes for a good substrate and depending on where you live, it's quite cheap. At my local Home Depot, it's only a few bucks for a very large bag of it. It works well and gives a nice realistic look to the enclosure.

[Blazefu]

Thanks, he's really loving the new leaves i put out, Im going to Home Depot tomorrow and pick up the Cypress Mulch, we'll see how he likes that. I tried a subtrate called Coco Soft, it was bad, i dont think he liked it at all, and made it impossible for him to catch the crickets, i took it all out immediately though. Thanks for the info! =) I think he's getting happier every day now!

[LordNyax]

but are one of the only of the paroedura that can't glass stick.

I have a picture that proves this wrong

[Blazefu]

I got him at PetSmart locally here, $35. We used to have a few reptile stores but from this recession i suppose, they all closed down. Yeah i will get a close up shot of him tonight and post it on here. I have one now, but its not as clear as the one ill take later.

Very neat he's on the glass! Havent caught mine doing that yet.

[LordNyax]

Yeah no one belives me till I show them the pic. My female doesn't even try though. And yes RnC did a good job I had no problems with it, thx for that info.

[mom2bab]

I have a picture that proves this wrong

I too have pics that prove this wrong!

[Blazefu]

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Yeah, my gecko climbs like that as well, but its usually because he's about to poop. I've never caught him even trying to climb glass until a week ago, was in the middle of the night, then he pooped in that position lol