have a question about my gecko always being in his cold house

[westchem]

my gecko is 8-9 months old when I 1st got him which has been over a month ago. he has been in his cold house the whole time. I was told on here that the reason he want going in his hot house is because it was too hot for him. I now have a thermostat that keeps @ a steady temperature. I have been keeping track on what the temp the thermostat is keeping it @ it's 89.9. but I've had for awhile & still he never goes in it. I have showed him a few times but still hate insists on going in his cold. having no problem eating. I accidentally put it in the wrong category.

 

[cricket4u]

There are other reasons. Can you post a picture of the whole enclosure?

 

[westchem]

picture of his enclosure

 

[cricket4u]

View attachment 26768View attachment 26768 picture of his enclosure

Warm side hide is too exposed. I would purchase a more secure hide similar to the one on the cool end and use a container which is not transparent for a humidity hide. You can always purchase a humidity hide if you have difficulties finding a dark container. Here is an example:

As a humidity hide.

Exo Terra : Gecko Cave / Terrestrial Gecko Hide

For the warm side, you want a hide which is open underneath which allows belly heat.

 

[westchem]

could I switch the cool house to the warm house & the warm house to the cool side. I will also change the humid house.

 

[cricket4u]

could I switch the cool house to the warm house & the warm house to the cool side. I will also change the humid house.

Sure you can, although eventually it will be best for all hides to be secure so that your leo can thermoregulate properly.

 

[westchem]

ill get a warm house thats enclosed since thats the best. thank you for your help. I want my gecko to be healthy & happy I want to do whats best for him.

 

[westchem]

so you said this house that you recommended for the humid house. could I have the same the for warm house.

 

[westchem]

what do I do too make it a humidity hide?

 

[Geckologist.tj]

so you said this house that you recommended for the humid house. could I have the same the for warm house.

If you use this kind of cave for a warm hide, you'll probably have to leave the bottom part off. Personally, I would use the kind of cave you have on the cool side for a warm hide.

To make the cave into a humid hide, add moistened paper towel or moistened sphagnum, or peat moss. Mist daily to ensure a high humidity level inside the cave.

 

[westchem]

so what could I use for a warm hide

 

[westchem]

so I need to buy a new warm house thats enclosed right? so If I make the humid house that you recommended I don't have to take bottom off.

 

[cricket4u]

so I need to buy a new warm house thats enclosed right? so If I make the humid house that you recommended I don't have to take bottom off.

Humidity house - closed at the bottom

Warm house - open at the bottom

Cool house - open or closed if fine


Your leo must be quite wealthy owning all these houses.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

If you use this kind of cave for a warm hide, you'll probably have to leave the bottom part off. Personally, I would use the kind of cave you have on the cool side for a warm hide.

To make the cave into a humid hide, add moistened paper towel or moistened sphagnum, or peat moss. Mist daily to ensure a high humidity level inside the cave.

Even if you remove the base of those Gecko Caves linked above, the rest of that cave is great for any/all hides because of the small secure opening. That cave looks good too with or without the base.

If you wish to make a humid hide, chose an opaque plastic container such as a Cool Whip container and invert it so that the lid is the floor. Then cut a smallish entry hole right above the lid.

 

[Conched]

Even if you remove the base of those Gecko Caves linked above, the rest of that cave is great for any/all hides because of the small secure opening. That cave looks good too with or without the base.

If you wish to make a humid hide, chose an opaque plastic container such as a Cool Whip container and invert it so that the lid is the floor. Then cut a smallish entry hole right above the lid.

If you cut the whole say two inches above the bottom of the container the substrate for the moisture retention will stay in the container better. This works well if you use sphagnum moss, which can get messy as it dries out.

 

[westchem]

I put cardboard on the warm hide to cover up the expose areas. I ordered the humid high on the website that is a cave with a bottom on it. I put my leo in it to see what he would do. he still insists on going in his cold house. he is still eating his crickets.

 

[cricket4u]

I put cardboard on the warm hide to cover up the expose areas. I ordered the humid high on the website that is a cave with a bottom on it. I put my leo in it to see what he would do. he still insists on going in his cold house. he is still eating his crickets.

Cardboard under a heat lamp is not a good idea. How about switching the exposed hide with the more secure hide? Just so that you are aware, anything new added to the enclosure can cause him to feel wary. Some may take a 1-2 to feel comfortable entering the hide or even coming close. Even a slight change such as a piece of cardboard can cause fear.

Process of elimination until you figure it out. I'm pointing out the most common problems first. If you move the hide he likes to the warm end and he continues to avoid the area, you may want to test the temps very carefully. Check both air and ground. Make sure to check the temps with at least 2 different thermometers for accuracy.

 

[westchem]

ok I just hope he's ok

 

[westchem]

how many Hrs in a day does he need to be in his hot house.

 

[cricket4u]

how many Hrs in a day does he need to be in his hot house.

Only your leo knows how many hours he needs. He should be spending at least a few hours a day. More like at least half of the day there. I would take it easy with feeding until you figure it out. He can eventually start having problems with digestion.