Leopard Geckos Daenerys & Drogo: changing substrate and sleep question

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perfectlyflawed36

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Hey all, I'm Britt and I just acquired two leopard geckos two days ago. Unfortunetly, I was not prepared what so ever; my friend was their previous owner and he decided he did not want them so was just going to let them die (yeah. I know), upon hearing that I said I would take them and I'm so glad I did, I am in love with them.

However, their current substrate is sand, or actually I believe it's finely crushed walnut, so obviously I want that crap out. They are both very skittish though the male is quite interested in me when I'm around. I've been letting them both get used to my hand without picking them up, but I want to change the substrate so I need to get them out. I'd love some suggestions on how to get them out, change the substrate with as little stress possible. These poor geckos have been through so much, and they are eating great (they were only given nasty freeze dried food before). I'm really trying to give them the best home but with this just being thrown at me, it's quite hard. They didn't have any heat source before, and their tanks are just 10 gallon. So I'm working on getting bigger tanks, and I do have under tank heating mats.

Another quick question, the male is pretty active, he's actually quite hilarious to watch. The female however sleeps literally all the time, she won't even get up to eat, I have to wake her up. Is this just because she is malnourished and is conserving energy?
 
cricket4u

cricket4u

New member
Hello,

Thanks for taking them in. So they were both housed in a 10 gallon? :( In order to keep close tabs on the female it would be best to separate them. Before running to the vet, it's important to work on providing ideal conditions for them both. Are you able to buy 2 20 gallon (30 inches long) enclosures for them asap? It's very important especially for the female which is not eating. We have to try and decipher asap if she is ill or it's due to poor housing conditions.

This caresheet will provide you with just about everything you need to know.:) Please post pictures as well.

Edit: Sorry I thought you wrote that she was not eating.

http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...care-recommendations-29-july-2012-update.html
 
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perfectlyflawed36

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They are each housed in their own 10 gallon tank. Unless I find a good deal on a tank, I do not have $200 to spend on them, not at this moment. I know everything I need to get, and what to do, I just don't have the funds to get it all right at the moment. What I really want to do is get the sand of out there first, but I don't know how to remove them and not stress them out too much to clean it out.

Also, the female IS eating, and well. She eats a good amount, but she would easily sleep through feeding time and apparently (according to my friend) would go days without eating. You have to wake her up just for her to eat, once she does get up she eats well, then will immediately go back to sleep.
 
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cricket4u

cricket4u

New member
perfectlyflawed36 said:
They are each housed in their own 10 gallon tank. Unless I find a good deal on a tank, I do not have $200 to spend on them, not at this moment. I know everything I need to get, and what to do, I just don't have the funds to get it all right at the moment. What I really want to do is get the sand of out there first, but I don't know how to remove them and not stress them out too much to clean it out.
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Unfortunately not much stress can be avoided while cleaning their enclosure, but it must be done. I have extra tanks that I use for that purpose. I guess any container with ventilation and that's escape proof will be fine while you clean it out. I can't think of any other way of moving them aside from just picking them up.
 
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perfectlyflawed36

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Phew. I did that in like record time haha. Got them into a decent sized container, she went right in. He fought me to the death to get in. Dumped the sand, wiped it down and then put in two layers of paper towel. I feel that should be sufficient because it's the thicker heavy duty stuff. If I need more please let me know. She calmed down immediately and went back to sleep, but he seems a lot more stressed. He's sitting under his rock glaring at me I feel like haha.

I have terrible lighting in my apartment, so the pictures don't show up well at all. I have the three hides for them, but they seem to stick to their favorites. She likes her little coconut cool hide and he likes his rock cave cool hide.

She actually seems to be doing better, she explored her rock cave once I changed the substrate.

Edit: It's about 9:12 central, and I looked over and noticed she was on her warm hide, just chilling, then she started walking around more. This is the most active she's ever been. I'm very happy. Anyone know why my male gecko would by trying to climb the glass? He did it last night then pooped (lol) so I thought it was that, but he stopped and went back to sleep.
ALSO, these two are obviously malnourished, how often should I feed them? So far I've done it once a day, until they stop eating. They seem very eager each time so far.
 
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cricket4u

cricket4u

New member
perfectlyflawed36 said:
Phew. I did that in like record time haha. Got them into a decent sized container, she went right in. He fought me to the death to get in. Dumped the sand, wiped it down and then put in two layers of paper towel. I feel that should be sufficient because it's the thicker heavy duty stuff. If I need more please let me know. She calmed down immediately and went back to sleep, but he seems a lot more stressed. He's sitting under his rock glaring at me I feel like haha.

I have terrible lighting in my apartment, so the pictures don't show up well at all. I have the three hides for them, but they seem to stick to their favorites. She likes her little coconut cool hide and he likes his rock cave cool hide.

She actually seems to be doing better, she explored her rock cave once I changed the substrate.

Edit: It's about 9:12 central, and I looked over and noticed she was on her warm hide, just chilling, then she started walking around more. This is the most active she's ever been. I'm very happy. Anyone know why my male gecko would by trying to climb the glass? He did it last night then pooped (lol) so I thought it was that, but he stopped and went back to sleep.
ALSO, these two are obviously malnourished, how often should I feed them? So far I've done it once a day, until they stop eating. They seem very eager each time so far.
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Even if the pictures come out a bit dark it can provide us with information such as body condition. I am glad to hear she has become more alert to her surroundings. I can't offer any ideas in regards to behavior unless I am provided with full details on husbandry. The problem is with a 10 gallon you will not be able to provide optimal temperatures which is very important. Do you have a reliable thermometer at least?
 
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perfectlyflawed36

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Not a reliable one, just an air thermometer, which I put down on the ground to get a reading, and the heated side is at 94F. Like I said this was just sprung on me, in one day. They've only been here for about 48 hours now. Petco didn't have any good thermometers to check ground temp. Where would I find a reasonably priced one? I guess I could charge 20 gallon tanks on my credit card...but that is a lot of money to spend at once.
 
cricket4u

cricket4u

New member
perfectlyflawed36 said:
Not a reliable one, just an air thermometer, which I put down on the ground to get a reading, and the heated side is at 94F. Like I said this was just sprung on me, in one day. They've only been here for about 48 hours now. Petco didn't have any good thermometers to check ground temp. Where would I find a reasonably priced one? I guess I could charge 20 gallon tanks on my credit card...but that is a lot of money to spend at once.
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I am not very lucky with finding deals, If anyone reading this has any ideas where to find reasonable priced items please help.:) I tend to overpay because I worry so much. I've heard others mention that I think Petco has sales on used fish tanks? Trust me you will end up paying for a bunch of stuff only to find out you cannot achieve the right temps in a 10 gallon, so make that purchase. Do your best to find them as cheap as possible because you will need to buy other accessories that are important as well.

Most items will have to be purchased on line. There are examples on the caresheet.
 
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perfectlyflawed36

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Here's two pictures of the two tanks. They are both sleeping in their warm hide right now as you can see. It's the best I can come up with on short notice. I just ordered a thermostat, hopefully that'll be in shortly.

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He's resting his head on the lid of the wet hide lol. I thought it was cute.
 
cricket4u

cricket4u

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Awe, thanks for posting the pictures. I can't see the female, but the male looks chunky. So do you know what their diet consisted of? Do you have plain calcium, one with d3 and a multivitamin supplement? I know you have only had them for 48 hours, but I was just wondering what was given to you along with the geckos.
 
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perfectlyflawed36

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His head is just big, otherwise he seems small to me. I will post some pictures of them later when they are out and about. Their tails just look so small.

I have been feeding them mealworms, I wasn't sure the size of cricket to get so I just went with the mealworms for now, tomorrow I'm gonna get some crickets though. I do have the Calcium with D3, just got it today, but haven't gotten a chance to dust the mealworms yet. Pretty much nothing of use was given to me with them. They came with their tanks, two heating rocks (threw those out immediately), one hide each, a crap ton of sand, and freeze dried food. Friend said he only fed them freeze dried. So that's what they lived off of. It was just dumped in their cages too, mixed in with the sand.
 
cricket4u

cricket4u

New member
perfectlyflawed36 said:
His head is just big, otherwise he seems small to me. I will post some pictures of them later when they are out and about. Their tails just look so small.

I have been feeding them mealworms, I wasn't sure the size of cricket to get so I just went with the mealworms for now, tomorrow I'm gonna get some crickets though. I do have the Calcium with D3, just got it today, but haven't gotten a chance to dust the mealworms yet. Pretty much nothing of use was given to me with them. They came with their tanks, two heating rocks (threw those out immediately), one hide each, a crap ton of sand, and freeze dried food. Friend said he only fed them freeze dried. So that's what they lived off of. It was just dumped in their cages too, mixed in with the sand.
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OMG, how horrible. Very important that they are provided with all the supplements they need. What brand of calcium do you have?

Do you have brown paper bags (at least for temporary use)? I was thinking that it may be a good idea to cover the back and 2 sides of the tank so that they can feel more secure. It will also help keep the room light out at night when they feel like wondering around.
 
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Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
perfectlyflawed36 said:
Hm, okay. Thanks, was hoping there was a trick to it or something haha. I guess I will have to scoop them up and just do it quick.
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perfectlyflawed36 said:
Not a reliable one, just an air thermometer, which I put down on the ground to get a reading, and the heated side is at 94F. Like I said this was just sprung on me, in one day. They've only been here for about 48 hours now. Petco didn't have any good thermometers to check ground temp. Where would I find a reasonably priced one? I guess I could charge 20 gallon tanks on my credit card...but that is a lot of money to spend at once.
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Hi Britt ~

Where do you and your friend live? I am wondering whether their room temps were actually warmer than 70s room temp average in the Pacific Northwest?

Sorry that your friend was unaware of rescue sources for leos. There must be some in your area. Sometimes even pet stores will rescue!

Please post a picture of each leo which shows his/her entire body. Do they have 5 toes on each foot?

Thanks for the pictures of both tanks. Kudos to you for immediately tossing the hot rocks (gasp---:-x), replacing the sand with paper towels, and ordering a thermostat. Good to hear that both are eating.

How about checking Craigslist for tanks? Maybe there would be some in your area that you could pick up? I have heard that Petco does a $1 per gallon sale sometimes.

Well, there is nothing more for me to add. Keep us posted.
 
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perfectlyflawed36

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I live in North Dakota, it's been incredibly hot here, around 90s. He really just is too young to take care of a gecko, and too stupid honestly. Just not mature enough, he wouldn't have put the effort in to try and find a rescue place.

So, um I came home tonight and immediately noticed is smelt really bad in here. I went to my gecko's tanks and the smell is coming from hers. She has soiled the paper towel badly, and has just been laying in it, which was in her warm hide. I can't tell if it's vomit or poop. I just know it smells terrible.

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I then saw he had went poop or vomited. I believe it's poop since it had urates in it (the white chunk right?) It's solid-ish, but the paper towel around it was really wet. I see a piece of mealworm in it.
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Possibly did I just over do it on the feeding? They were so hungry, I just let them eat how much they wanted. She seems different acting, sluggish. She let me touch her quite a bit (to move her off the soiled paper towel) and she didn't move much. I'm not offering any food for them tonight. Ugh. This is so stressful. I really want them to be okay.

I'll get pictures of him when I can. He's in his hide right now, and if he's not feeling well I'd rather not disturb him. They both do appear to have all their toes, and their skin looks healthy to me. I found a tank for $70 plus a heating pad already under the tank. Hopefully that works out for me, other wise Craigslist has nothing. I don't live in a big town.
 
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cricket4u

cricket4u

New member
It looks like feces to me. If it smells really bad, she may have a bacterial infection. Let's see how her next bowel movement looks. Do your best to provide the necessary temperatures. Please dust their insects with calcium with d3/multivitamin 2 times a week and plain calcium on the rest of the days. Mealworms and superworms are very poor in calcium, so dusting is very important. Offer gutloaded crickets as well.

Also remove the feces as soon as you notice it. It will help reduce chances of oral fecal contamination.
 
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perfectlyflawed36

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It's been removed with fresh paper towel, maybe I just wasn't ready for the smell, but it was strong. Her other poop from last night was pretty normal looking, nice clump. This one today was just so runny, specially the big brown stain.

Is it normal for them to poop inside of their hide? and then just lay in it? Drogo, my male poops outisde of his in the corner, as did she before but not this time.

I'm getting a ton of hours at work, so I *should* be able to get the necessary stuff for them both.
 
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