Is The Setting For my Leopard Gecko Correct. Suggestions Welcome!

[Lotusflower]

Hi! I got new baby leopard gecko from Petco about a week ago. So far I've been feeding it superworms, but probably will be getting crickets very soon. The substrate im using is Reptile carpet, and have 2 hides with a humid hide. The gecko is eating two of the smaller worms every day, and pooping regulary. I have an UTH on all the time with a heat lamp on during the day. The bulb in the heat lamp is a black heat bulb. Currently he/she is shedding, and about how long will this take? Here are some pics of the enclosure, ssorry for the bad quality, im using a computer to take these.





Here's the calcium powder I'm using



and here my gecko, I couldn't get her underside because she was squirming around, and I didn't want to stress her

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Hi Lotusflower ~

Many thanks for beginning a New Thread right here.

Have you been able to get a digital thermometer with a probe to measure the temperatures?

1. What is the temp under the warm dry hide right on the substrate?
4 inches above the ground on the warm side?
4 inches above the ground on the cool side?

2. Never used Repashy's. How often are you dusting with it?

3. Are you interested in completing GU's Health/Wellness Questionnaire so we can get the BIG picture? I can copy it right on this thread for you.

4. Been able to pick up some crickets yet?

 

[Lotusflower]

No i don't have a digital thermometer with a probe, I dust one of her worms every other day, yes I'm interested in completing the health/wellness guide, and no i haven't been able to pick up crickets yet. The temperature on the warm side is about 85 F and on the cool side about 75-80 F.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Here goes the Health Questionnaire, Lotusflower:

General Information
Species of lizard:
Gecko's name:
Morph:
Gender:
Age:
Weight:
Total length:
Length of your reptile when you first acquired it:
Source (pet store, breeder, previous owner):
Captive bred or wild caught:

Vivarium
Enclosure dimensions (length x width x heighth):
Cage (type, size):
Substrate provided:
Types of hiding places provided:
Is there a humidity hide? location?
Please describe any other furnishings:
List recent changes in the environment, if any:

Lighting
Artificial lighting
Incandescent (“screw-in” bulbs): wattage(s):
Fluorescent (tube bulbs):
Access to ambient daylight from a distant window:

Heating
Do you have a thermometer(s) in the cage?
What type and brand of thermometer (digital with probe, temperature gun, LCD strip, analog (circle), combo digital thermometer/hygrometer, stainless steel aquarim type, other):
What is the ground temperature right on the substrate under the warm dry hide:
What is the air temperature on the warm end about 4 inches up from the ground:
What is the air temperature on the cool end about 4 inches up from the ground:
What device(s) are used to maintain the temperature (Under Tank Heater, heat light, ceramic heat emitter, Flexwatt heat tape, hot rock, other):
Ventilation space for your UTH by elevating the tank above the shelf (some UTHs come with sticky feet for the tank corners):
Are you using a thermostat(s)?
Which hide does she/he spend most of her time?
Is the temperature decreased at night? by how much?

Humidity
Is the humidity measured?
Humidity range:

Diet
Insects and worms, list type:
Regular diet fed to the insects and worms:
Are the insects and worms formally “gutloaded” 1-2 days prior to feeding off to your gecko? If so with?
How often do you feed your gecko?
Please list any supplements (with brand names) used. How are they given and how often?
What calcium brand are you using? with D3, without or both?
Is the calcium in the tank with D3 or without?
Multivitamins (include brand name)?
Please list any recent additions/changes in the diet:

General Health
If your gecko is sick, please describe the signs and how long your gecko has been showing these signs:
Is your gecko’s general activity level normal, decreased, or increased?
Is your gecko’s appetite normal, decreased, or increased?
Have you noticed any of the following?
Weight (loss or gain):
Discharge from the eyes or nose:
Increased breathing rate or effort:
Change in the droppings:
Urates
---white or yellowish:
---size of urates as compared to size of feces:
Abnormal skin color or shedding:
Parasites on the skin or in the feces:
Weakness:
Regurgitation:

Previous problems and/or illnesses:

Other Critters in Same Cage or in Household
List other animals that are kept in the same cage:
Recent acquisitions (new pets within the past 6 months):
Are any of your other pets ill?

 

[Lotusflower]

General Information
Species of lizard: Leopard Gecko
Gecko's name: Unnamed
Morph: Albino
Gender: Unknown
Age: 1-3 months
Weight: N/A
Total length: 2-3 in
Length of your reptile when you first acquired it: 2-3 in
Source (pet store, breeder, previous owner): Petco
Captive bred or wild caught: Captive bred

Vivarium
Enclosure dimensions (length x width x heighth):
Cage (type, size): 10 gal.
Substrate provided: Reptile Carpet
Types of hiding places provided: one warm, one cool, one humid
Is there a humidity hide? location? Yes, in the center
Please describe any other furnishings: 2 fake plants, some rocks, water bowl, and food bowl
List recent changes in the environment, if any:

Lighting
Artificial lighting Yes, heat lamp
Incandescent (“screw-in” bulbs): wattage(s): black heat bulb 75 watts
Fluorescent (tube bulbs):
Access to ambient daylight from a distant window: a bit

Heating
Do you have a thermometer(s) in the cage? I have one
What type and brand of thermometer (digital with probe, temperature gun, LCD strip, analog (circle), combo digital thermometer/hygrometer, stainless steel aquarim type, other): humidity/temp, Zilla brand
What is the ground temperature right on the substrate under the warm dry hide: 80-85 F
What is the air temperature on the warm end about 4 inches up from the ground: 80-85 F
What is the air temperature on the cool end about 4 inches up from the ground: 75-80 F
What device(s) are used to maintain the temperature (Under Tank Heater, heat light, ceramic heat emitter, Flexwatt heat tape, hot rock, other): Under Tank Heater
Ventilation space for your UTH by elevating the tank above the shelf (some UTHs come with sticky feet for the tank corners): UTH is stuck on bottom
Are you using a thermostat(s)? no
Which hide does she/he spend most of her time? cool side
Is the temperature decreased at night? by how much? by 5-10 F

Humidity
Is the humidity measured? yes
Humidity range: 10-30 depending on time of day

Diet
Insects and worms, list type: superworms
Regular diet fed to the insects and worms: lettuce, carrots, potatoes, apples
Are the insects and worms formally “gutloaded” 1-2 days prior to feeding off to your gecko? If so with?
How often do you feed your gecko? Yes they are gutloaded, every evening
Please list any supplements (with brand names) used. How are they given and how often? Repashy Calcium, every other day
What calcium brand are you using? with D3, without or both?Repashy Calcium with D3
Is the calcium in the tank with D3 or without?
Multivitamins (include brand name)?
Please list any recent additions/changes in the diet:

General Health
If your gecko is sick, please describe the signs and how long your gecko has been showing these signs: healthy
Is your gecko’s general activity level normal, decreased, or increased? normal
Is your gecko’s appetite normal, decreased, or increased? normal
Have you noticed any of the following?
Weight (loss or gain): no
Discharge from the eyes or nose: no
Increased breathing rate or effort:no
Change in the droppings: no
Urates
---white or yellowish: white
---size of urates as compared to size of feces: smaller
Abnormal skin color or shedding: just shed
Parasites on the skin or in the feces: no
Weakness: nope
Regurgitation: nope

Previous problems and/or illnesses: i don't know

Other Critters in Same Cage or in Household
List other animals that are kept in the same cage: none
Recent acquisitions (new pets within the past 6 months): this gecko
Are any of your other pets ill? no

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Some of this info I will repeat from your blog only because it is important and I'm not sure changes have been made.

Recommended temperatures for all leos regardless of size
88-93 F (31-34 C) ground temp at warm end inside the warm dry hide
no greater than 85 F (29.5 C) air temp - 4 inches above ground on the warm end
no greater than 75 F (24.5 C) air temp - 4 inches above ground on the cool end

Leave the UTH on 24/7. Can turn off overhead heating at night unless the ambient room temperatures are particularly cool during the night.

The recommended humidity for a leo ranges from 40-50% for the enclosure in general with greater humidity in the warm MOIST hide. Leos use the humid hide for hydration as well as shedding assist.

What you are feeding the superworms does not translate into a healthy diet for your leo.

Please link that T-Rex Calcium Mineral Supplement you mentioned in your blog. I don't want to guess.

How about getting crickets soon? Keeping crickets alive at home for 1-2 months is easy. Then you can make sure they are eating a good diet before your leo eats them.

Click: http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...-feeding-issues/68574-cricket-guidelines.html

 

[Lotusflower]

Ok, I know I need to go into the petstore to get crickets, and the food for them ect. and i will try to get the humidity up for him/her. I wish I knew the gender so can name it! and do crickets stink, or are a hassel? I read your guide, and im hoping that they won't stink real bad.
thanks for your help btw, I aprecitate it a LOT

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Ok, I know I need to go into the petstore to get crickets, and the food for them ect. and i will try to get the humidity up for him/her. I wish I knew the gender so can name it! and do crickets stink, or are a hassel? I read your guide, and im hoping that they won't stink real bad.
thanks for your help btw, I aprecitate it a LOT

You're welcome. I like helping nOObs get their leos off to good beginninings.

At least the warm end, cool end will be much easier to achieve within a 30 inch long enclosure. That might seem like overkill right now, but within a year you'll want to upgrade anyway.

As long as crickets are kept dryish (sprayed paper towels and/or water gels) there is almost NO smell. The smell results from decaying food and dieing crickets.

Keeping crickets hydrated is important though. Well-hydrated prey ===> well-hydrated leo. Collard greens provide calcium and moisture.

:idea: Good food for crickets is an All Purpose Poutry Food (which contains vitamin A acetate). This can be found at feed stores. Much better than many foods sold expressly for crickets! Cheaper too.

Leos generally are not sexable till 5 or so months old. Check here: Sexing Leopard Geckos

 

[Conched]

First and foremost, I must tell you that is a great looking leopard gecko.

I noticed in the photo you posted that there is some stuck shed on your leopard gecko. They should not shed in patches like that. You really need to add a humid hide asap, if not the leo will not do well.

The temps are also a bit low see if you can get the warm end up to at least 90.

These two issues are critically important to the long term heath of your leopard gecko. Let me know if you need instructions on how to make a humid hide.

Best of luck.

 

[Lotusflower]

ok, i added a humid hide, all the skin got off, and thanks! I believe that he/she is a tremper albino

 

[Lotusflower]

Ok, that's a relief lol, and yes I am using repashy's calcium mineral supplement with calcium D3. I dust with it every other day.

 

[Lotusflower]

Ok, so is it ok that I dust my leo's food every other day with that supplement?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Ok, that's a relief lol, and yes I am using repashy's calcium mineral supplement with calcium D3. I dust with it every other day.

Hi,

Please read under the picture in the link. I just want your leo to live a long healthy life.

002_zpsa35eee34.jpg Photo by cricket132 | Photobucket

Ok, so is it ok that I dust my leo's food every other day with that supplement?

Lotusflower ~

What are the directions on Repashy's calcium mineral supplement with calcium D3?

The photo cricket4u shares in her link above shows Zoo Med's Repti Calcium without D3. She uses UVB lighting as the vitamin D source for her leopard geckos. However, one needs amply sized cages to use UVB for leopard geckos. She houses each of her 3 leos separately in 4.5 ft x 2 ft x 2 ft wooden enclosures with solid tops and side ventilation.

It is either UVB or a supplement with vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is necessary for the metabolism of calcium.

 

[Lotusflower]

the directions say that it it designed to be used for every feeding, but people say too much vitamin D3 is bad for your gecko, and should only be used once or twice a week, I'm kinda confused?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

the directions say that it it designed to be used for every feeding, but people say too much vitamin D3 is bad for your gecko, and should only be used once or twice a week, I'm kinda confused?

"Repashy's calcium mineral supplement with calcium D3"

Please let me know how much D3 this contains in IUs/kg or IUs/lb or both.

 

[Lotusflower]

Ok, its says 40,000 IU/Kg

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Ok, that's a relief lol, and yes I am using repashy's calcium mineral supplement with calcium D3. I dust with it every other day.

the directions say that it it designed to be used for every feeding, but people say too much vitamin D3 is bad for your gecko, and should only be used once or twice a week, I'm kinda confused?

Ok, its says 40,000 IU/Kg

Thanks for the info there /\

I totally agree with you. 40,000 IU/kg even 3x/week is high. :razz: Even using that Repashy supplement 2x per week seems high to me.

First off, go to post #24 immediately following the Basic Guidelines at the beginning of the Leo Caresheet (linked below in my signature). There you will find D3 comparisons of 4 popular brands of calcium with D3 supplements.

I recommend Zoo Med's Repti Calcium with D3 lightly dusted 2x per week. That contains only 22,907 IU/kg of D3 vitamin. Even that supplement has dosage by gecko weight instructions right on the container.

Lightly dust crickets/dubia with Zoo Med's supplements like this:
1. Monday - Repti Calcium with D3 adjusted for your gecko's weight
2. Thursday - Repti Calcium with D3 adjusted for your gecko's weight
3. PLAIN Reptivite (multivitamin) with A acetate adjusted for your leo's weight: Spread out the lightly dusted Reptivite multivitamin crickets over the course of a week. Use the Reptivite (multivitamin) very sparingly.

 

[Lotusflower]

Ok so I should dust with it once a week and get some pure calcium and the multivitamins?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Ok, that's a relief lol, and yes I am using repashy's calcium mineral supplement with calcium D3. I dust with it every other day.

Ok so I should dust with it once a week and get some pure calcium and the multivitamins?

I'm uncomfortable mixing brands of D3 calcium and multivitamins. Sometimes it is all about balance.

The Zoo Med supplements I recommend in post #18 is what I would do.

For a thread about Repashy Leopard Gecko Calcium Plus click: http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...hy-leopard-gecko-calcium-plus-supplement.html

Have you found a link that lists ingredients of the Repashy Leopard Gecko Calcium Plus?

 

[Lotusflower]

Well the people who use seem to use it as their only supplement, and say their geckos are fine. Ill look for pure calcium and try the zoo mere. No I haven't looked or found a site that has the ingrediants. But I will check tomarrow