my actual experience is nil. I bought my first gecko at a reptile show from a very reputable breeder, it turns out, after falling in love with holding one the first time. I came home, cried, went back and got one. I let the breeder help me get set up with the keeper, plant, food, crickets and instructions on temp, humidity, feeding schedule and off we went. I spent every spare waking hour, and still do, scouring the Internet and forums and learning and re-learning and un-learning so I can be the best gecko momma ever. I got another one locally at Petsmart because one just isnt enough. I have read extensively that they should stay in the critter keeper for a while to keep them from being unable to find food, etc. Frankly, I hate the critter keeper. Every time I try to put him back into it, its like trying to get a cat into a car carrier. He just WONT go. He runs up my arm, jumps onto the lid, anything he can try to keep from going in. I wanted something easier and more attractive and the Exoterra terrarium in the size i wanted was on sale. I got it and set it up, totally prepared to go back to the critter keeper at the first sign of going off his food or being stressed. So far, he is totally owning his environment. He sleeps where he loves in his hanging plant, comes out at night and peruses the floor and when i put his crickets in on Friday, he wasted NO time hunting them all down and scarfing them up, even the one who tried to evade him by going up high in the plants. Noumea just went up there and got him. I was impressed. He gets CGD twice weekly but it is hard to tell if he is eating it and how much. when i hold him in the evenings, I offer him some on my finger and he will lick it off, so i know he is getting some. i just ordered a magnetic ledge feeder so he can have food in two places to choose from. Tabasco now inhabits the critter keeper and I will likely leave him in there a bit longer, as he seems very very young to me. Flighty, tiny, but aggressive with crickets. he has settled down considerably since the first day. i have yet to offer him the diet since Friday was cricket day and Monday will be CGD day. They keep right on their schedule. The sleep all day, I turn the lights off at dark and they come out of hiding for their gecko activities. I mist them, handle them a little, and then leave them be to feel safe and secure in the dark. I think I am doing a good job, and I understand that there are many many schools of thought on all matters. I am always always up for learning something new. I have never posted pics on this forum, so I will give it a try. It may take a minute or a month, depending on the process and my brain. I also just ordered some more plants to give even more cover and I added a vinyl background instead of the foam thing that came in it, as i read geckos can get behind it and perish. I couldnt risk it. I really think they are doing great. I have no children to harrass them. My house is quiet and peaceful and operates for the health and comfort of all my critters, two rescue dogs, Sparkle and Memphis, a 17 year old blue fronted Amazon parrot I had raised, Rio, and now my two beloved little geckos, Noumea and Tabasco. I gut load my crickets with a healthy diet of fruits, veg, and dog food, and dust them with calcium and vitamin D3 as i was instructed by another gecko lover. I will work on pics of the critters and their set up. Keep in mind, the terrium is a work in progress and I dont have as much in it as I plan to have, but budget only allows so much at one time. I have some other stuff on the way to give even more cover and security. I hope I shed some light on what I have, what I know, what I am trying to acheive, and maybe even some areas where I could use some advice. I love forums for things like this. Such a valuable resource! Thanks in advance for your suggestions and guidance. Hopefully, pictures to follow.
