Noob in LG seeking help!

[Ijalabdullah]

Hi all!! (sorry that this thread has to be a bit lengthy)

First of all, let me begin by introducing myself. I'm Ijal and i am from Singapore.

To begin with, Leopard Geckos and some reptiles (snakes, etc..) are illegal to be kept as pets here. Fortunately, I managed to get one beautiful leopard gecko from the 'black-market'. Hehehe..

I got him/her about 3 days ago and is settling down in a 10gallon tank that i have set up for it before it arrives.

I have done about 2-3weeks of research regards to keeping this beautiful creature and finally decided to commit to have one. As this is my first reptile kept as a pet, I was advised by a lot of parties that it is a good beginner's reptile pet.

First, I was advised by a fellow gecko keeper in Malaysia that for us in this area (singapore and malaysia) we do not need a UTH for our gecko. My tank has been a constant 31-34 degrees Celsius since I set it up and kept in a non-airconditioned room. He says he has kept his gecko for like 5yrs now and never has he use a UTH and his gecko is growing up just fine. So i'm trusting his words on it..

Here are few questions that I have:

1) Can anyone please assist to inform what breed/species of a leopard gecko is mine? (i have attached pictures) The person who sold it to me says it's about 2 months old and yet to know it's sex.

2) I understand that it'll need some time to adjust to it's new place. Question is roughly how long? I have not been disturbing it since it got here and letting it be in it's tank. Have not eaten at all that's for sure... Kinda worried since it's been 3 days.

3) Since I do not need any heating elements (UTH or heat lights), do I need to have a light fixture at all? Currently I do not have any but kinda contemplating on a UVB light fixture. Can I get some advice on this please?

Hope to get some response and good advises from you people here... And hoping to learn a lot of new information regards to this beautiful creature..

 

[kvnsu]

Greetings Ijal and welcome to GU~!

1.Gecko looks like a tangerine to me, refer to this: http://www.geckosunlimited.com/community/leopard-geckos-morphs-genetics/75643-leopard-gecko-morphs.html

2. It depends on the gecko, some can take days, and even weeks. Make sure he is hydrated and try to feed him in the evening.

3. A low wattage bulb can be used for a photo period, also light from a distant window works too. A UVB light fixture is not needed since they are nocturnal. Just make sure you are dusting with a calcium supplement 2 times a week and a multivitamin supplement once a week. Keep all dusting to a minimum.

 

[hmarie186]

A UVB bulb in that tiny of an aquarium can cause problems, so I would nix a bulb at all. Is the air temperature 31-34C or the ground temp? The ground temp is what matters most for proper digestion. You need a digital thermometer with some type of probe to measure it- just a regular stick on type is not accurate. Leopard geckos are pretty hardy, so the other person could have very well kept them for 5 years without an UTH, but for ideal, healthy conditions you may still need one.

 

[Ijalabdullah]

I see.. The thermometer is more to reading the air in the cage and not the ground. Think i'll get the one u mentioned to help me monitor the ground temperature as well.

Well good news is last 2 nights he ate and i saw it!! Finished abt a good 8-10 mealworms. Last night i left abt 14 mealworms in his worm tray coated with calcium powder and this morning only left 2 of them. At leasts i know he is eating..

I got one more question..

I made a moist hide for him. Typical easy method of usinf a tupperware with a cut opening and placed damp tissue in it. Now he is like staying in there most of the time and go out only like 15secs and went back in again.

Is that any indication to anything? Pls do advice...

 

[kvnsu]

Make sure his moist hide is on the warm side, and it is typical that your gecko will use hides that offer them the most security. They will go safety over temps. It is completely normal if you see your gecko in the moist hide a lot. Give it time, it is still acclimating.

 

[Ijalabdullah]

Thanks for the reply!! Sorry but im kinda the worried-freak.. Hahahaha!!

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Hi Ijal ~

A warm welcome to Geckos Unlimited. Good to have you on board! :yahoo: on your beautiful leopard gecko!

First, I was advised by a fellow gecko keeper in Malaysia that for us in this area (singapore and malaysia) we do not need a UTH for our gecko. My tank has been a constant 31-34 degrees Celsius since I set it up and kept in a non-airconditioned room. He says he has kept his gecko for like 5yrs now and never has he use a UTH and his gecko is growing up just fine. So i'm trusting his words on it..

Have you the option of keeping your new leopard gecko in an air-conditioned room?

Be sure to just lightly dust his mealworms and other feeders with calcium with D3 powder, but only 2x per week. Can you get crickets?

I like Zoo Med's Repti Calcium with vitamin D3 and Zoo Med's Reptivite multivitamin without D3.

When your leo grows I suggest upgrading his enclosure to a 30 x 12.5 x 12.5 inches; 76.2 x 31.75 x 31.75 cm. A 10 gallon vivarium is too small for a mature leopard gecko.

When your leo is about 6 months old, you'll be able to sex him by clicking here: http://www.reptilecare.com/leopardgender.htm

 

[Ijalabdullah]

Hi Ijal ~

A warm welcome to Geckos Unlimited. Good to have you on board! :yahoo: on your beautiful leopard gecko!



Have you the option of keeping your new leopard gecko in an air-conditioned room?

Be sure to just lightly dust his mealworms and other feeders with calcium with D3 powder, but only 2x per week. Can you get crickets?

I like Zoo Med's Repti Calcium with vitamin D3 and Zoo Med's Reptivite multivitamin without D3.

When your leo grows I suggest upgrading his enclosure to a 30 x 12.5 x 12.5 inches; 76.2 x 31.75 x 31.75 cm. A 10 gallon vivarium is too small for a mature leopard gecko.

When your leo is about 6 months old, you'll be able to sex him by clicking here: Sexing Leopard Geckos

Hi,

I thank u for ur valuable advice!!

I didnt place him in an airconditioned room. Is there any benefits if i were to do so?

It's kinda hard to find gecko related meds or supplements here as mentioned that it's illegal for us to keep a reptile as a pet. However i managed to find a ExoTerra Calcium powder frm one store and have been using it. I do place a bottlecap sized tray in it's tank half-filled with the calcium. And yes, i do slightly powdered his/her dinner with the same calcium powder.

Just to update. It's been about a week I've had him and he has been eating since 3 days ago. Roughly abt 8-12 mealworms per serving. And he is quite consistent in his/her timing. Asleep the whole day in the moist box and would wake up and actively roaming abt from 10.30pm or 11pm onwards.

I hope that's good news... Hahahaa!!

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Hi Ijal ~

How are you and your leo doing?