Hello I'm New to the Leo World Help Please

[MARQUIS]

Any experienced keepers that could answer a few questions for me i would really appreciate any valueable and considerate feedback.

I just got rid of my bearded dragon yesterday afternoon and I had been thinking about gettin a leo for sometime so I did just that actually I bought two females at my local Petco very healthly looking creatures I read up on them just enought so I wouldn't kill them when I purchased them there doing great thus far but I really want to know what I can do to make there new 40 gallon critter enclosure home. I bought the terrarium liner it's nice and all but i would really like to have something that they could borrow from what I understand sand is out of the question and i used it with my dragon early on and it change him color and I really would hate to have that happen to the leo's because there colors are pretty nice, add the sand really started to sink even with a proper cleaning regiment. Does anyone use something that they would highly recommened. And how many would you add to a 40 gallon? I was thinking one more. What is a good humidity level to maintain without to elminate the need for a shed box?

Like I said in the beginning I really would enjoy any good feed back and pics of your tanks are welcome and I will post mine when I get home.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Allee Toler]

Slate is easiest to keep clean, and nice looking. If that's what you're going for. A local Lowes or Home Depot will cut it for you for a small added fee. All together, it's fairly inexpensive. I spent $3 for my 20 gal long total.

Leopard geckos don't burrow. The live in an area where there's barely any sand. They're in a rocky area, with a little loose sand blowing around here and there.

As for humidity. Keep the tank at 40-50. They need a shed box no matter what. If you up the humidity in the tank, it can cause upper respiratory infections. If you want to keep it looking nice, without an ugly box in the middle, cover it in fake pants. Mine's hidden behind plants in the back right corner.

 

[MARQUIS]

Thanks a lot for quick reply. You cleared up me gray areas and I appreciate it very much.

 

[Allee Toler]

You're welcome. =]

 

[hyposhawn]

I use paper towels as a substrate.

 

[acpart]

Leopard geckos do like to hide out in different places so you can do nice stuff with rocks and caves (making sure, of course, that nothing can fall down). THree or four should be fine in a 40 gallon but you have to consider the following:

--if you're getting very young juveniles from the pet store, you won't know for sure whether they are male or female which can be a problem when housing together (males will fight, male and female will breed, and can start too early as juvies)

--if you add to your collection, make sure you quarantine the new one from the others for at least a month to make sure no one is sick

--sometimes leopard geckos don't get along, so you have to be prepared to house a newcomer separately if it doesn't work out after quarantine.

GOod luck, and enjoy your new reptile interest.

Aliza

 

[hyposhawn]

Good luck with keeping them.

 

[macksnowgecko]

also if you dont like the look of humid hides you can get these rock cave things at some petstores that has a lid on top they look pretty natural and also work really well and hold humidity well also

 

[Spots1230]

Have a humid hide and some hiding spots.I use paper towels as a substrate.My Leo's are fine.

Good luck on getting a new gecko.

 

[MARQUIS]

Thanks everybody for the advice. Things seem to be going well with my new geckos, one seems to be very adventurous and the other is just like whatever and spends most of it's time in the borrow I bought. The Tremper Albino I am expecting arrives at the petstore tomorrow but I seen the Lavender morph on here and I really want to get that insted so hopefully I can get my hands on one soon.

Question 1: What is the best day and night temperatures for these geckos I have been shooting for 85 to 90 on the hot side and mid to high 70's on the cool side. Is that ok higher or lower. (Note) I leave my blue light on 24/7 to accomplish this.

Question 2: How often do they eat from what I hear not that often.

Thanks Guys/Girls

 

[Gecko Newbie]

Newbie to newbie

Hey, I'm pretty new, too. I've learned A TON just browsing through all the threads on this forum and googling my questions. I just thought you should know about the n00b central thread - there are a lot of threads on there that answer your questions AND some I bet you don't even know you have yet. There were a lot of things I didn't think about until I read someone else ask about it on here... Also, you can search the leopard gecko thread for leo specific things (like feeding) and get instant answers. Just in case people don't answer soon enough.

Oh yeah, careful, I've learned that Leopard Geckos are VERY addictive.... :biggrin:

 

[acpart]

Thanks everybody for the advice. Things seem to be going well with my new geckos, one seems to be very adventurous and the other is just like whatever and spends most of it's time in the borrow I bought. The Tremper Albino I am expecting arrives at the petstore tomorrow but I seen the Lavender morph on here and I really want to get that insted so hopefully I can get my hands on one soon.

Question 1: What is the best day and night temperatures for these geckos I have been shooting for 85 to 90 on the hot side and mid to high 70's on the cool side. Is that ok higher or lower. (Note) I leave my blue light on 24/7 to accomplish this.

Question 2: How often do they eat from what I hear not that often.

Thanks Guys/Girls

Hot side temps are recommended usually to be low 90's. I don't worry about the cool side. It is what it is.

I feed juveniles up to about 30-40 grams daily, at least until they start not pooping so much which shows me they're ready to eat less often. I feed adults every 3rd day except during the breeding season when I feed every other day.

Aliza

 

[hyposhawn]

I feed mid size leos everry other day 6-8 Leos.

 

[MARQUIS]

I wish mine were more active but I guess that once they get use to there new home things will get better. Right now i'm a little nervous, because they haven't eatin in three days. I've heard that some people feed there geckos anywhere from every other day to a lady that said she's had hers for 10 years and feeds it once every two weeks. hopefully things work themselves out soon.

 

[hyposhawn]

Leos are nocturnal.

 

[hyposhawn]

I wish mine were more active but I guess that once they get use to there new home things will get better. Right now i'm a little nervous, because they haven't eatin in three days. I've heard that some people feed there geckos anywhere from every other day to a lady that said she's had hers for 10 years and feeds it once every two weeks. hopefully things work themselves out soon.

I don't believe that.

 

[MARQUIS]

Maybe I should have been more clear on what I ment by active. I ment at night there not very active a rarely see them and i'm up all hours of the night. And honestly I didn't believe it either but what i'm gonna do is try to raise the temperature with a UTH and see hat happens.

 

[hyposhawn]

Ohh, thanks for explaining. They probably need to get use to their home. Raising the temp will encourage them to come out more. This is because when their in the wild they hunt and then when it gets to cold they go back in their hide to stay warm. So yes raising the temperature should help but don't raise the temperature to much. If that doesn't work just let them get used to their new enviroment and habitat. It takes longer for some Leos but in about 1-2 weeks it should be more active.