2nd Leo, 1st time raising baby

[NeoLeo87]

Gecko Updates: Exciting news!

I have updates on substrate and feeding!

Here are some pictures of the updates I made to Cornbread's home. Within seconds, Cornbread was licking at his sand. Oh no! I vacuumed the corners, and stuffed them with paper towels.





I still need to make cutting adjustments. Right now he STILL tears at the paper towel you see in the left side. :/

Perhaps he's one of those leos who likes more privacy.

I never thought of that, but if he is, then 1) why is he so social and eager to get in my hand and 2) why not just use his 3 hideouts for privacy?

INGENIUS WAY TO OFFER CRICKETS(?)!

I was never satisfied with the classic round dishes for crickets. My leo's want to see things moving, they want to "hunt." So... I bought butter dishes and I use the bottom tray for Cornbread, the top half for Gabby. It's great! The crickets run back and forth, stimulating interest for my leo's, and they can't get out.




I use the bottom half for medium/small crickets and I use the top, deeper half for large crickets.



I urge other owners to try this!

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I never thought of that, but if he is, then 1) why is he so social and eager to get in my hand and 2) why not just use his 3 hideouts for privacy?

Cornbread loves you, Bryan. You probably know that absence makes the heart grow fonder. ;-) Sometimes I just wish I was a leopard gecko. :biggrin: Oh how easy life m-i-g-h-t be!

If you take him out for say 15-30 minutes does he calm down? Then does he stop pawing at the paper towel/glass for awhile after he is back?

I love how Cornbread's vivarium looks now! The cage furniture blends well with the tile. Great job, Bryan! Can't wait till it's all tiled in. It's pretty easy to cut down a brown paper bag to cage size to try it out.

If you turn the water dish/hide on the left to be parallel to the left side, the cool hide might be somewhat cooler.

 

[NeoLeo87]

Gecko Updates: Healthy geckos...Bored geckos?

Hello G.U.sers! As you know from this now HUGE post, I've been slowly making better homes for my leo's - and becoming a better owner in the process. And it's all thanks to you! Here's the current situation on my two boys.

Cornbread (10 month old "Tangerine")!




As you can see, Cornbread is happy and healthy! Good vivarium, good temps, good diet (especially with the butter dishes!) Now, regarding his problems in previous posts... Cornbread still paws/scratches, but now he focuses his efforts on his feeding dish. Sometimes he lays on his dish and kicks with his back legs like he's swimming... Cute! I don't know if it bugs him, but he seems fine and it's not harming him.

Cornbread loves you, Bryan. If you take him out for say 15-30 minutes does he calm down? Then does he stop pawing at the paper towel/glass for awhile after he is back?

Yes, sometimes. He is a spoiled boy! I think it helps not giving in to his demands every time, haha. I notice he gets bugged when I use my big computer for work, so I tend to put a towel over his tank so he doesn't see it or me. That seems to calm him.

Gabby (12-14 year old "Mack Snow")!



Here's my big boy! He's healthy, eats good, and finally poops good too! The stool is softer than usual, and he "croaks" less when he defecates (I think he croaks when he's uncomfy or irritated by something). Now this is where I have questions for users. Gabby is BORED! He paws to climb up the side of his tank and growing restless at night. And I can't play with him because he's very skittish around people, including me. I did not raise him from infancy, and I believe Gabby didn't have the best upbringing.

Can I still train him to grow used to me? Should I buy a bigger tank? Should I put in new decorations to "stimulate" his mind? What do you recommend?

Thanks everyone.

 

[kholtme]

Ive heard that geckos can get bored, and its good to change the tank up a bit if they seem bored. So i would buy new decor and switch some things up.

 

[NeoLeo87]

Gecko Updates: Dubia roaches and Hornworms!

Questions for owners who feed/breed roaches and hornworms! I bought some for the first time. I have read a few care sheets on the website about roaches, but there are some questions left unanswered.

Questions about roaches:

1 - How often do egg crates need misted, and how often do they need replaced? Does the misting require they be changed faster, to prevent mold?
2 - What is the best source to heat a dubia roach home? From the top or beneath?
3 - Elizabeth Freer's caresheet says, "Avoid cross contamination by not returning Blaptica dubia to the dubia tank if they are not eaten." What is wrong with putting them back? I always return crickets if they are not eaten within 24 hours, otherwise they'll starve in the gecko tank!

Here are pictures for reference of my current setup.






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Hornworms!

Elizabeth first suggested hornworms to me months ago. I wasn't sure if the geckos liked them, or if they were just too big to feed. I bought some more, and I have a wine cooler for them. I put one in Gabby's tank, a small one, and he was eager and quick to eat it. I think they will like having these options again!

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Gabby's new home

Ive heard that geckos can get bored, and its good to change the tank up a bit if they seem bored. So i would buy new decor and switch some things up.

Yes, that's what I plan to do, kholtme. I'm shopping around online to find something that Gabby can climb. I recently bought him a bigger tank. He has upgraded from 12x12x30, to 16x18x36. I will transfer him when i have all the new things for his tank. I think he will like it.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I can't wait to see Gabby in his new home!

 

[amsdadtodd]

1 - How often do egg crates need misted, and how often do they need replaced? Does the misting require they be changed faster, to prevent mold?
I don't mist mine, I just keep a dish flukers water crystals in the tote with them. Because I don't mist them, there is no mold, and I change them maybe every six months.

2 - What is the best source to heat a dubia roach home? From the top or beneath?
I just keep mine on a top shelf in my herp room, they stay plenty warm and reproduce quite fast. If you do need to heat them, then underneath is better. Remember, they hate light!

3 - Elizabeth Freer's caresheet says, "Avoid cross contamination by not returning Blaptica dubia to the dubia tank if they are not eaten." What is wrong with putting them back? I always return crickets if they are not eaten within 24 hours, otherwise they'll starve in the gecko tank!
It's not a good idea to return crickets or roaches once they have been in a gecko tank. Both animals will eat gecko feces, and pick up bacteria or any infections as a result. Returned prey brings that back to the colony, or holding tank, spreading that contamination to your other enclosures, or increasing the parasite load on the original tank. Crickets and roaches are cheap enough that it's worth just crushing them rather than recycling them.

I hope this helps!
Todd

 

[NeoLeo87]

I appreciate the input, but I'm sorry...this goes against a lot of what I read in care sheets on this website. :scratchhead:

I just keep mine on a top shelf in my herp room, they stay plenty warm and reproduce quite fast. If you do need to heat them, then underneath is better. Remember, they hate light!

So you don't regulate temperature at all? I thought they need to breed around 80-90 degrees. My room is low 70s, so unless you thrive on high heat in your bedroom, I'm not sure what temperatures are appropriate.

Both animals will eat gecko feces, and pick up bacteria or any infections as a result.

I will correct you there. I use butter dishes to keep insects from escaping, so there is no possible way for the feeders to eat gecko poop. I always sanitize their dishes before putting them in, and they remain there all night. So I don't understand how cross contamination is possible.

...it's worth just crushing them rather than recycling them.

:shock: ...what?

Elizabeth Freer, I see you liked and thanked posts and spoke briefly... Did you want to share your thoughts at all? Perhaps answer any of my questions? If not, here's a crucial one I have:

If I regulate supplements with food to multivitamin on Mondays, calcium Wednesdays and Saturdays, and I know how many crickets to give each gecko...how do I include variety of feeders into that diet? Hornworms have more calcium, and I've heard its best not to dust them. Roaches could eat other insects, so its not good to mix them with crickets... Do I just do roaches some days, crickets other days? When do I include hornworms and how frequently?

Basically, I don't know how to balance out the diet with 3 different feeders. I would really appreciate someone giving their input to this.

 

[amsdadtodd]

I said I keep them on a top shelf in my herp room, not my bed room. As heat rises, the top shelf in my herp room has never been measured below 78 degrees, and usually is above 82. My roach colony is quite productive, so I'm not concerned whether this works on paper or not, or works in practice just fine.

If you have never had an escape from a butter dish, then perhaps you can re-stock them. I've never tried this technique, so I don't know how well isolated it is.

As to my last comment, yes. I crush roaches which are not eaten in a timely manner, rather than let them run around and annoy my pets. Again,if your butter dish approach works flawlessly, then it's your call. I prefer not to take risks for the sake of saving the life of a feeder roach.

Todd

 

[muffin_song]

As to my last comment, yes. I crush roaches which are not eaten in a timely manner, rather than let them run around and annoy my pets. Again,if your butter dish approach works flawlessly, then it's your call. I prefer not to take risks for the sake of saving the life of a feeder roach.

Todd

I've had a few dubia roaches I've had to get rid of, but I usually just end up throwing them outside and letting them run away. I live in Northern California...any idea if dubias can become an invasive species? I don't want to contribute to any ecological problems!

 

[amsdadtodd]

I've had a few dubia roaches I've had to get rid of, but I usually just end up throwing them outside and letting them run away. I live in Northern California...any idea if dubias can become an invasive species? I don't want to contribute to any ecological problems!

I would never take the chance! And, living in California, that sentiment would only be multiplied!
Actually, my roaches are Turkestan, not Dubia, but I believe their care and habitat are quite similar. I have heard that Turkestan roaches have become invasive in areas of the US Southwest around military bases. I would hate to contribute to, or cause, such an infestation if even on a temporary basis, as the New England winters would likely kill them off here.

Todd

 

[NeoLeo87]

Updates: Old Gecko, New Home, and a Miracle.

Boy, a LOT has happened since I last posted! Here's the rundown...

1. Gabby got a new tank!

36x18x18. I spent two days cleaning and disinfecting everything, and finally put it together. Here are pictures, followed by a brief list of steps I took.





Cleaning a tank:
1. A detergent recipe
- 1 teaspoon Dawn
- 1 teaspoon concentrated Bleach
- 1 quart of water
2. With a sponge and/or brush, I scrubbed everywhere inside and out.
3. I took a hose on high power with hot water and sprayed it all down.
4. Air dry the tank.
5. Disinfection recipe
- 3 teaspoons Simple Green D Pro-3
- 32 ounces of water
6. Using a spray bottle to spray the disinfect onto the tank. Soak for 20 minutes, and let dry.
7. Spray out the tank with water.
8. Air dry again.
9. For good measure, it doesn't hurt to wash ONE more time with hot water, and dry.

I baked the sand substrate in the oven, and scrubbed the decor with dawn and water, then boiled in water.

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2. Cleaning concern.

I saw this stain left by his cool hide. Is it a bleach stain?


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

3. A miracle happened...

I've had this gecko for 12 years, and he's always been skittish around people. The other night, I opened his moist hide to check on him. He licked my hand, and then he crawled in! :banana: Moments later, I came back, and he came over to get in my hand again! He desperately wanted to climb, so I played with him a bit. Sadly, he has hardly no claws left, and one hand is missing most of its toes, so I have to be careful with my handicapped gecko.




To see Gabby friendly with me has not happened in nearly ten years. Things are looking up! I'll keep you all in touch.

Questions for users:
1) Could lack of appetite be due to stress of new home?
2) What are some climbing decor that would be safe for clumsy old leos?

 

[JessJohnson87]

Yes the lack of appetite is due to stress from changing his home. Should be fine within a couple of days. Since he's missing toes and claws I recommend cork bark, it has a rough textured surface that may be easier for him to climb versus a smooth piece of driftwood. You could throw a paper towel roll in there and see if he uses it as a tunnel.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

:yahoo:! Gabby's new vivarium looks super!

I love miracles, Bryan! :biggrin: How rewarding after 10 years. Gabby does love you.

Questions for users:
1) Could lack of appetite be due to stress of new home?
2) What are some climbing decor that would be safe for clumsy old leos?

[MENTION=55860]Zux[/MENTION] may have some ideas for cool hides.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Have you seen these hides: Exo Terra : New Reptile Cave / Natural Hiding Place? Maybe Gabby would like the large one?

 

[Zux]

Hey guys, good to see all the good news and changes, the large version of the cave Elizabeth recommends is what I first purchased and it was much too large in my opinion. I wound up buying the medium because I (and my Leo it seemed) found it much too open to be a good hide really. The medium however is spot on and my Leo really likes hers.

PS: I used the large size I had left over to create an underground cave system which is an option for you also because you now have a nice large terrarium.
I'll make a thread soon about what I did and how I did it so I wont confuse things here going into detail (its very simple with the right stuff).

PPS: [MENTION=3989]Elizabeth Freer[/MENTION] Im not forgetting about my promise - coming soon tm.

- Shane

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

How much does Gabby weigh now, Bryan? How much does your leo Bell weigh, Shane? Then we'll have a better idea which size cave would fit better.

 

[JIMI]

Hey guys, good to see all the good news and changes, the large version of the cave Elizabeth recommends is what I first purchased and it was much too large in my opinion. I wound up buying the medium because I (and my Leo it seemed) found it much too open to be a good hide really. The medium however is spot on and my Leo really likes hers.

PS: I used the large size I had left over to create an underground cave system which is an option for you also because you now have a nice large terrarium.
I'll make a thread soon about what I did and how I did it so I wont confuse things here going into detail (its very simple with the right stuff).

PPS: [MENTION=3989]Elizabeth Freer[/MENTION] Im not forgetting about my promise - coming soon tm.

- Shane

This underground cave system you mentioned sounds very interesting. I've always wanted to try it, but could never figure out how to do it. Can't wait to see it!

 

[Zux]

[MENTION=3989]Elizabeth Freer[/MENTION] She was 45 grams at last weigh in.

- Shane

 

[NeoLeo87]

JessJohnson87, Elizabeth Freer, Zux thanks for the input! Much appreciated. I bought the cork bark like Jess suggested, and I'm introducing it to his viv later today.

How much does Gabby weigh now, Bryan? Then we'll have a better idea which size cave would fit better.

I haven't been able to check recently, since Gabby was always so skittish. I'm waiting for him to get comfy with me, and then I'll weigh him.

And I appreciate suggestions for a cave, but I'm not looking for one. Gabby has a new moist hide (see pictures I posted last time) and he likes it quite a lot! Here's a link to what I bought. Amazon.com : Exo Terra Gecko Cave for Reptiles, Large : Exoterra Gecko Cave Large : Pet Supplies It's a perfect moist hide for an adult leo. I got a medium one for Cornbread (he's almost a year old).

Here's the dry hide that Gabby has had most his life. It's bigger than it needs to be, but he likes it. Amazon.com : Exo Terra Reptile Cave, Large : Pet Habitat Decor Hideouts : Pet Supplies I'm going to swap it out with the new one I got, because he'd rather have his favorite.