Hi, I'm Gecko Buddy

[Gecko Buddy]

Hi, I'm new to Geckos Unlimited. I am a gecko owner and I saw this sight and thought it would be cool to join. I have had my gecko "Buddy" (lol I know strange name but that's what seemed right) for 4 years now. I have read a lot about leopard geckos, but there is 2 things I'm still iffy about. How the set up for his/her tank should be to create a stress free life, and how to tell what sex he/she is. So if anyone wants to talk and get to know each other and share about their gecko/s please do.:yahoo:

 

[ColdBlooded]

Welcome!

As far as sexing goes, males will always have a prominent V shape between their thighs. These are preanal pores that secrete a slightly waxy substance that they use to mark their territory. Females lack these pores (but may have dimpled scales in their place) and also lack the hemipenal bulges that males have.

Here's a picture of the underside of my 3 year old male, Dagda:

Hope that helps!

As far as the tank set up goes, do you have a more specific question?

 

[Gecko Buddy]

Like what kinds of objects should be in there, what is the best layout sand/material for them. What size gallon tank is best for a 4 year old female(lol i know what sex she is now thanks to you ty) Im also thinking of getting another gecko withing the next few months. Do leo's do well in the same tank or do they tend to be aggressive.

 

[lady.gekko]

For one gecko a 15g is usually a nice size. for 2 I would go with a 20g. Most books say you can house 3 in a 15g, but I believe that's to much. If you are planning on getting another gecko...make sure you double the hides, and if yours is a female, you basically have the choice between getting another female or a male. I have 8 leo's and all of them are housed seperately. I think it's just better that way. I wouldn't use sand but, paper towel, repti carpet is ok, or tile. All my gecko's are being transfered onto tile once my shelving is done. They are on aspen currently. A cool hide, warm hide are nice to have along with a moist one for shedding. Calcium dish, water dish...and whatever else you my find appealing visually - logs, large rocks, branches, plants.

 

[Nayte]

In response to Lady Gekko, I would personally advise you to not use tile if that thought even popped into your head. It IS a personal preference, but there are no pavillions with expensive tile randomly in the desert, their nails sometimes go 180 degrees, and it could possibly hurt their nails. It also gets very cold on the cold side and depending on your heat source, warm on the warm side which isnt too bad haha.

If you are dusting your feeders, you can save space by not worrying about your calcium dish. Other than that Lady was right on

All the best!

 

[ColdBlooded]

Just to add a little insight..

I personally use slate or textured porcelain tile in almost all of my leopard gecko enclosures. I have had no lost/damanged/caught nails or toes..I'm not saying it can't happen but I find it highly unlikely. Also, heat is retained and distributed well and I have not found the cool side to be any cooler than room temperature.

As far as what is found in nature, neither is abundant food, water, shelter, safety and so on ..I find that to be a moot point and not applicable.

In response to Lady Gekko, I would personally advise you to not use tile if that thought even popped into your head. It IS a personal preference, but there are no pavillions with expensive tile randomly in the desert, their nails sometimes go 180 degrees, and it could possibly hurt their nails. It also gets very cold on the cold side and depending on your heat source, warm on the warm side which isnt too bad haha.

If you are dusting your feeders, you can save space by not worrying about your calcium dish. Other than that Lady was right on

All the best!