2nd Leo, 1st time raising baby

[NeoLeo87]

Was the warm side temp a typo?

No, it is low 80's Fahrenheit.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I like post #79! :biggrin: I am happy (and relieved) that Gabby has come MILES since you began this thread and that his youthful tail rattle and his appetite have returned. :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: Really Gabby is just middle age.

Thanks for persevering for both your leos.

Might there be some way to fasten the probe to the warm dry hide or to a heavy rock at sand level?

 

[NeoLeo87]

Hello all,

I've been very busy and have not found time to update. Now I'm running into a new concern (this time with Cornbread, my little gecko) that has me up all night!

Cornbread won't stop tearing at his paper towel...and specifically in one spot! I tried cleaning the tank, replacing all the paper towel, checking his temperatures are same as usual, and yet nothing changes.

Why is Cornbread doing this??? He seems miserable, tearing with his jaws and his paws to get at...something. I'm not sure what. I'll try distracting him with a cricket. Maybe he's still hungry?

Any advice?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Hello all,

I've been very busy and have not found time to update. Now I'm running into a new concern (this time with Cornbread, my little gecko) that has me up all night!

Cornbread won't stop tearing at his paper towel...and specifically in one spot! I tried cleaning the tank, replacing all the paper towel, checking his temperatures are same as usual, and yet nothing changes.

Why is Cornbread doing this??? He seems miserable, tearing with his jaws and his paws to get at...something. I'm not sure what. I'll try distracting him with a cricket. Maybe he's still hungry?

Any advice?

I appreciate your update, Bryan. Although this does not solve it all, one member posted that she initially sprays down the paper towels so that they "stick" to the floor of the cage. Maybe that would deter Cornbread?

What happened when you fed Cornbread more crickets? Is this the paper towel used for his substrate or in his warm moist hide?

Sometimes leos do eat the paper towels in their moist hides. I don't know why. Has anything else changed?

If it's the substrate, an easy and inexpensive "fix" is rough textured tile. There are many choices of styles and colors at your local home improvement store.

 

[NeoLeo87]

What happened when you fed Cornbread more crickets? Is this the paper towel used for his substrate or in his warm moist hide?

It is the paper towel used as substrate. He was not interested in the crickets or me. He was obsessed with one particular spot of the tank where he licks the glass wall...then draws his attention to the paper towel to paw / chew at it. He just did it again tonight.

If it's the substrate, an easy and inexpensive "fix" is rough textured tile. There are many choices of styles and colors at your local home improvement store.

I've seen a few posts about tiles around here, but I didn't know it was cheap. I also get nervous for whether or not the tile will be the right size (I imagine too large won't fit, and too small will leave space for crickets to unfortunately hide or toes to get smashed).

I might as well go and look at some tile tomorrow. No point in waiting if Cornbread is doing this each night now (PS: it has been two nights in a row I have seen it, but have seen signs he did it a few days before as well).

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

It is the paper towel used as substrate. He was not interested in the crickets or me. He was obsessed with one particular spot of the tank where he licks the glass wall...then draws his attention to the paper towel to paw / chew at it. He just did it again tonight.

......

I've seen a few posts about tiles around here, but I didn't know it was cheap. I also get nervous for whether or not the tile will be the right size (I imagine too large won't fit, and too small will leave space for crickets to unfortunately hide or toes to get smashed).

I might as well go and look at some tile tomorrow. No point in waiting if Cornbread is doing this each night now (PS: it has been two nights in a row I have seen it, but have seen signs he did it a few days before as well).

It's better to get rough textured tiles and sleep at night rather than having Cornbread keep you up. Be sure you bring the inside tank measurements. Be sure the tile is about 3/8 inch thick so that it conducts heat well from the UTH.

Sometimes 6 x 6 inch tiles fit perfectly. I like the 12 x 12s, because there are fewer "seams". Of course, then, one needs to be cut. Some stores will trim tiles for a small fee.

 

[NeoLeo87]

It's better to get rough textured tiles and sleep at night rather than having Cornbread keep you up. Be sure you bring the inside tank measurements. Be sure the tile is about 3/8 inch thick so that it conducts heat well from the UTH.

Sometimes 6 x 6 inch tiles fit perfectly. I like the 12 x 12s, because there are fewer "seams". Of course, then, one needs to be cut. Some stores will trim tiles for a small fee.

Excellent. I'll look into this in a few days. I was swamped with a lot of work, so tending to Cornbread's substrate has not been dealt with yet. Rest assured, I will take care of it!

Cornbread is still obsessed with one corner of the tank. Only during feeding time. He ignores the crickets far more than he used to, and focuses on "pawing" at the glass, and upturning the paper towel substrate to "inspect" the bottom. I don't know if he is hunting for something he smells, or if he's agitated and stressed. He will go at it for a good hour, maybe more.

I put his cold hideout on that spot so he can't quite reach it...but he still tries. I figure now it's not a big deal if he gets to it - it's not hurting him anyway. But still, this is worrisome behavior. I will have to leave him with paper towel substrate til next week (going out of town, a friend will feed the geckos).

Gabby, however, is doing perfectly fine. Since his recovery (see earlier posts for details), his tail has been slimmer, which was alarming at first...but he's faster, and more hungry than he used to be. I feed him a few crickets a night, and he always eats them, so I assume he's not TOO old.

Seems when one gecko is fine, the other has problems. :/

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Cornbread ~ Did you try spraying down Cornbread's favorite section of the paper towel substrate so that it "sticks" to the floor? Perhaps that would deter Cornbread's "digging"?

Nice to hear that Gabby's doing well and that he has a good appetite.

 

[NeoLeo87]

HELLO ALL LEO PEOPLE!

It's been awhile since I posted. June was a very busy month for me, and July has been as well. I hope you've all been good. Gabby and Cornbread have been doing okay. The summer heat in New Orleans may not be to their taste, but I make sure the AC is always working.

CORNBREAD UPDATE: As I said last time...Cornbread has been biting / tearing / pawing at his paper towel substrate. I put a few flat sheets down, but he sometimes manages to burrow under them. I've come home and found a little mound underneath (he's hiding!). While it might be cute, it seems compulsive. I am ready to move to tile.

Did you try spraying down Cornbread's favorite section of the paper towel substrate so that it "sticks" to the floor?

Good idea, Liz, but sadly it does not matter. I use moist paper towel for his warm hide, but that's not what bothers him - it's everywhere else.

Elizabeth, I know you said places like Home Depot will cut tile for you... Mine does not. I went and asked yesterday. Before I buy a tile cutter (only $20, I could if I need to), is there anywhere else you or other users recommend? What type of tile texture is your favorite? I am thinking of buying a few 12x12 tiles. The tank's measurements are 23" long and 11.5" wide.

 

[KillaB]

I use natural slate tile, it works great and looks good too.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Did you try spraying down Cornbread's favorite section of the paper towel substrate so that it "sticks" to the floor?

Good idea, Liz, but sadly it does not matter. I use moist paper towel for his warm hide, but that's not what bothers him - it's everywhere else.

:cheer:, Bryan. I've been doing pretty good mostly. Have you a Lowe's Home Improvement store in New Orleans?

I meant "everywhere else", not only the moist paper towel for his warm hide. Did you try spraying the paper towel on the floor of the cage everywhere? When it dries it is more difficult to "dig" up. It kinda "sticks" then.

Choose tile or natural slate substrate that's about 3/8 inch thick so that it does not interfere with heat conduction from the UTH. If you go with tile, you will notice little ridges on the back. A shallow layer of sand or Eco Earth coco fiber will even out those ridges and ensure optimal UTH conductivity.

A couple 12 x 12 inchers will work nicely! I hope you can find a substrate that you like that has some texture. Just no smooth, skating-rink-glossy, surfaces.

Is Gabby back to his old self?

 

[NeoLeo87]

Have you a Lowe's Home Improvement store in New Orleans?

I do have a Lowe's somewhere around. I could try calling them and asking.

Did you try spraying the paper towel on the floor of the cage everywhere? When it dries it is more difficult to "dig" up. It kinda "sticks" then.

As I said, I tried all this already. My goal is not to make it more difficult for Cornbread to tear at paper towel (geckos are strong, they can move/uproot a lot of things with their strength, especially flimsy paper towel)... the goal is getting Cornbread to either A) stop doing it or B) getting rid of paper towel as a substrate.

If you go with tile, you will notice little ridges on the back. A shallow layer of sand or Eco Earth coco fiber will even out those ridges and ensure optimal UTH conductivity.

You mean a layer of sand beneath the tiles to fill in those "ridges?" If you're referring to the concave grooves under a slate of tile, then yes I have seen that, and I can apply a thin layer beneath that if so.

I know the specs I need for tiles, the problem is finding a place to cut the tiles for me so they fit.

And Gabby has been good since I last updated on his "improvement." Still very skittish, but more curious and lively.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I do have a Lowe's somewhere around. I could try calling them and asking.

Let's try calling Lowe's.

As I said, I tried all this already. My goal is not to make it more difficult for Cornbread to tear at paper towel (geckos are strong, they can move/uproot a lot of things with their strength, especially flimsy paper towel)... the goal is getting Cornbread to either A) stop doing it or B) getting rid of paper towel as a substrate.

Just confirming. Sounds like you're on your way to tile or slate.

You mean a layer of sand beneath the tiles to fill in those "ridges?" If you're referring to the concave grooves under a slate of tile, then yes I have seen that, and I can apply a thin layer beneath that if so.

That's exactly right: a layer of sand beneath the tiles to fill in those "ridges"/concave grooves. "Concave grooves" is a much better description. Thanks! I'll remember that.

I know the specs I need for tiles, the problem is finding a place to cut the tiles for me so they fit.

And Gabby has been good since I last updated on his "improvement." Still very skittish, but more curious and lively.

Nice to hear that Gabby continues to be more curious and lively. That's a big + in my book!

It is extremely helpful for you to continue right on this thread just like you've been doing.

 

[NeoLeo87]

UPDATE - 7.25.15

Cornbread is still compulsive/obsessive...and now it's worse. Tonight, Cornbread would not stop pawing at one corner of the tank. He didn't care about the paper towel, he was trying to paw through the glass. He kicks paper towel away, lays on the glass, and kicks/paws/scratches at it like he has to get out. And he's been doing it for 6 hours.

His temps are fine, he's been eating...I have no idea what is causing this. I can't find anything on the forums about it.

Here's a picture of what I had to do JUST to get him to stop. I used his cold hide as a barrier, and stuffed the wall with paper towel to prevent him from "licking" the glass, just in case it's the scent.



I have no idea if he will keep doing this when I get tiles. I hope not. :sad:

- Cornfused

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Cornbread's behavior is pretty extreme, Bryan. Sorry about that. I wonder why.

Have you tried taking him out for 15-30 minutes, giving him some safe exercise, and then putting him back? Maybe he just wants to visit? ;-)

What are the high temperatures generally? Try lowering the warm temperatures a degree or so. Maybe he's one of these leos who prefers it a little cooler?

Hope that he likes the tile.

 

[NeoLeo87]

Important question, GU members!

I'm calling out to you for an urgent matter. This is a question that simply puzzles me, though it is such a simple one.

How do you keep crickets (and other food) from hiding in hard-to-reach places?

I'm going on a trip soon, and asking a friend to feed my geckos. However, by simply dumping crickets in the tank, some of them run and hide in corners, behind hideouts, etc. And no, taking off the back legs does not solve the issue.

There has GOT to be a simple, easy way to keep these crickets from avoiding contact. Do you fill those nooks and crannies with any material? If so, what kind is safe to use?

As always I appreciate the undying support. Cheers.

 

[NeoLeo87]

Hope that he likes the tile.

I'm about to find out! I don't know how he's going to react to the sand on the edges. Maybe I should have laid it down a different way?




One of the tiles overlaps the other because I told them it was 28" long, but it's 23". I will make sure to get it recut tomorrow.

 

[KillaB]

You can also fill the gaps and edges with dry echo earth

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Important question, GU members!

I'm calling out to you for an urgent matter. This is a question that simply puzzles me, though it is such a simple one.

How do you keep crickets (and other food) from hiding in hard-to-reach places?

I'm going on a trip soon, and asking a friend to feed my geckos. However, by simply dumping crickets in the tank, some of them run and hide in corners, behind hideouts, etc. And no, taking off the back legs does not solve the issue.

There has GOT to be a simple, easy way to keep these crickets from avoiding contact. Do you fill those nooks and crannies with any material? If so, what kind is safe to use?

As always I appreciate the undying support. Cheers.

The easiest way to feed is to use a clear glass dish with straight sides like below. I add a rock stepping stone right up to the dish's lip:



Please note /\ that clear round feeding dish.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Hi Bryan ~

How's it going with Cornbread?

Have you ever tried covering the back and/or sides of his vivarium with brown paper or paper towels. Perhaps he's one of those leos who likes more privacy.