Phelsuma cepediana and ornata

[Jakeyjake]

Hi guys I've been offered a pair of cepediana and a pair of ornata.cant seem to find any specific care sheets anywhere and recommended enclosure size.are these species hard to keep?. I've been keeping williamsi for 9 months and klemmeri for a month.hoping to breed them aswell as not many available In the uk

 

[colinmelsom]

Klemmeri are more forgiving than ornata and cepediana.You will find that these species are also very nervous so you wont see them out as readily as the klemmeri.

I would wait a little time before getting them,start breeeding and raising the young from the other two species first.They are more readily in the U.K. than you would first think.People dont need to advertise them on forums to sell them.

 

[Jakeyjake]

I've bred my williamsi and raised a baby so far. I wouldn't be looking to collect these til mid September time.i will see how I get on with klemmeri.is there any care sheets knocking about for cepediana and ornata?

 

[colinmelsom]

I dont know of any caresheets.

I keep mine in similar conditions to klemmeri in a 450 x 450 x 600mm high vivarium.The only real difference that I have found is that they are much shyer.I wouldn`t consider them a beginners gecko but I dont think that they are as difficult as once thought.It was probably due to the fact that all the animals were wildcaught.Now with captive bred ones they are more robust but youngsters can be delicate.

 

[Jakeyjake]

Ok cheers mate.im led to believe the pair I've been offered are approx 12 months old so would be around 14 months if I collect them.will keep researching.ive got my klemmeri in a 30x30x45 exo terra but going to upgrade them to a 45x45x60 as not much room now it's planted out

 

[colinmelsom]

I feel that the more space the better.They certainly will use the space

 

[LLDG]

P. ornata are hardy guys compared to cepediana. Both cepediana and ornata are high-wired, frantic and flighty and terrified of humans as a reptile can be.

While cepediana will hide from humans, ornata will run themselves ragged to flee from human contact....this includes running themselves into objects in an enclosure and terrarium walls.

I include ornata in the list of Nearly Impossible to Capture if Escapes and Will Try to Escape in All and Any Possible Way. Two people to spot and capture are recommended.

Handling or stressing an ornata causes it to be frantic and eventually turning nearly black in color.

P ornata recommendations: lots of secure hiding spots, hollow bamboo, dense foliage. Environment in High Tropical conditions. I do not tend to give them huge terrariums but rather emphasis dense interiors.

Added fruit baby food and/or substitutes for gravid females.

I've no problems raising hatchlings and juveniles. My ornata usually die from old age than any other condition.

 

[Jakeyjake]

Thanks for the reply.what size terrarium do you keep yours in.so the cepediana are slightly easier than the ornate

 

[LLDG]

No, ornata is easier than cepediana.

Cepediana are more sensative while ornata tend to be hardier. Neither are easy.

The attached photo is of an ornata enclosure with larger plants removed so one can see the size of the enclosure.

 

[Jakeyjake]

Ok thanks for the help.ive kept green tree pythons in the past and they have specific humidity requirements like the cepediana and ornata.will see how I get on with my klemmeri for the next month or so then make a purchase of a pair

 

[colinmelsom]

While cepediana will hide from humans, ornata will run themselves ragged to flee from human contact....this includes running themselves into objects in an enclosure and terrarium walls.

I include ornata in the list of Nearly Impossible to Capture if Escapes and Will Try to Escape in All and Any Possible Way. Two people to spot and capture are recommended.

Thats interesting I find mine shoot down the bamboo.

 

[mkschaefer]

They are exceedingly fast. Do not take any chances when working in the cage, feeding, misting, etc. I have had cepediana dive into bamboo only to jet back out when they feel disturbed. I take them to a secure, open room to do things other than feeding or misting. I will often cover the bamboo they are in securely with screen to prevent them from escaping. In the secure room, I have used a 32 oz. deli cup to catch them but a net may work better. I approach them slowly and methodically, hemming them into a corner or localized spot. I know others use mosquito netting. I do not work with ornata, but I imagine the cepediana are not as fast, but close enough. I'm not sure how inexpectata "rank," but they are faster than cepediana in my opinion (but I have only been working with them for a few months now).

Just don't take any chances. It would be good to get your bearing with other species. I'm not saying that to dissuade you, I just don't want you to have a disappointing experience.

 

[colinmelsom]

Wise words but I have also had geckos leap out of the vivarium unexpectedly.You really do have to be careful opening doors.

One way I have found to slightly counteract this is to spray the vivarium before you try to catch the gecko.This makes it difficult for the gecko to get a purchase on the glass at least.

 

[mkschaefer]

I absolutely agree. A few weeks ago, I opened one side of the Exo Terra to mist when the male cepediana came bursting out of the foliage, jumped on the glass, shimmied between the door and the side of the enclosure. I cautiously moved my hand towards him and he ran back along the front of the door, shimmied into the same space between door and enclosure, and jumped back into the enclosure. This typically does not happen as they usually dive for cover, but I know that they will sometimes run, run, run...