New crested gecko -- two weeks without pooping!

[Crestie Chris]

hmm . .
i think those are both on the high side for cresties. though i'm a noob with cresties as well, i've both read in many care sheets & been told by experienced keepers that they do best with temps between high sixties to mid seventies. don't ever let the temp get above eighty. and humidity ranges of fifty to sixty-five percent.

I disagree. Whilst I provide winter temps of high 60's to low 70's I have found that providing a thermal gradient (with a hotspot of low 80's) in the summer is highly beneficial. The gecko can choose to sit under/near the basking spot or at the colder end, allowing adequate digestion and thus improved growth rate and appetite. The humidity comment I would also advise against; the use of a hydrometer can be more harm than good in my opinion. I find that it is best to use your own judgement when providing water. For example, if it's particularly hot then I mist 2-3 times a day, if not then 1-2 times a day will suffice. NOTE: I always provide a source of water in the form of a shallow bowl regardless of temperature.

Sorry to hijack the thread

Chris

 

[fallenangelfyre]

I disagree. Whilst I provide winter temps of high 60's to low 70's I have found that providing a thermal gradient (with a hotspot of low 80's) in the summer is highly beneficial. The gecko can choose to sit under/near the basking spot or at the colder end, allowing adequate digestion and thus improved growth rate and appetite. The humidity comment I would also advise against; the use of a hydrometer can be more harm than good in my opinion. I find that it is best to use your own judgement when providing water. For example, if it's particularly hot then I mist 2-3 times a day, if not then 1-2 times a day will suffice. NOTE: I always provide a source of water in the form of a shallow bowl regardless of temperature.

Sorry to hijack the thread

Chris

hey, as i said i'm a noob with cresties. i'm just stating what i've read in care sheets and what other experienced keepers have told me. i will take your experiences into account with the temps.
though i can't possibly see how using a hygrometer would be worse than just guessing. it would prolly be better to keep the humidity within their normal ranges according to a hygrometer than to just "wing it"

 

[Crestie Chris]

hey, as i said i'm a noob with cresties. i'm just stating what i've read in care sheets and what other experienced keepers have told me. i will take your experiences into account with the temps.
though i can't possibly see how using a hygrometer would be worse than just guessing. it would prolly be better to keep the humidity within their normal ranges according to a hygrometer than to just "wing it"

It's understandable that when starting out it's easier to base your husbandry on caresheets, but it can be so much more beneficial to build on those foundations. I would be interested to hear these "experienced keepers" opinions on the matter as it's always interesting to hear both sides of the debate... I can only assume that this is based on the 'crested geckos can survive at room temperature' advice which most will accept as ~72F. Personally I don't accept this, yes they will 'survive' but I don't want my geckos to 'survive', I want them to thrive. Providing a thermal gradient will allow the geckos to actively find the temperature they need at that point in time.

Hydrometers just lead to over reliance in my opinion and over misting. Ideally you want to mist the vivarium heavily and then let it dry out; preventing fungal growth. If you want to use one then that's fine, I just find that it can be more beneficial without.

Bear in mind this is in no way a "dig" as some people may see it, I'm merely stating my experiences to hopefully benefit others.

Chris

(Once again apologies for the hijack)

 

[norea]

Their poop will be very tiny, maybe 1/2-3/4 the size of a grain of rice. Usually dark brown with a little tip of white urate on one end. Since they are quite young still, it is hard to tell if they have eaten or not....best way is to get a gram scale that weighs in tenths of a gram to monitor their weight gain. It can take a couple days up to 2 weeks for them to settle into a new home. Good luck with your new baby!

sometimes just the white urates as well i may add

 

[LivinLikeLarry]

im having the same issue