Your favorite moist hideouts? POST THEM HERE!

[NeoLeo87]

Hello Leo owners,

As I update husbandry for my adult and baby leo's, I have had trouble finding a good moist hideout! I have only seen a couple variations posted, but I can't seem to find the right one for my adult (who lives in a 20 gallon tank). :/

Here are two examples of what I've seen so far.

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1. Exo Terra Gecko Cave (medium) - This hideout is great for humidity, and great for small to medium sized geckos (not adults). Unfortunately, the large size is too big for my adult's tank!

Here's Cornbread enjoying his new moist hideout.


http://www.amazon.com/Exo-Terra-Gec...qid=1429216335&sr=8-2&keywords=exo+terra+cave <--Here is a link to the product.

2. Zoo Med Shelter 3-in-1 cave (medium) - I've seen this floating around the forums, but I really don't like the shape/design/make of it. I highly doubt my adult leo would even think to climb that high into it. More trouble than it's worth! You will see users post suggest this hideout but DO NOT BUY THIS.

Here's me trying to take a picture of it...whoops. I don't expect you all to be a klutz like me and drop it mid-air...but what if the hideout falls/rolls in the vivarium for any reason? What if it's in a situation to break? Case in point: the material it's made out of sucks. Waste of 30 dollars.


Amazon.com : Zoo Med Reptile Shelter 3 in 1 Cave, Medium : Leopard Gecko : Pet Supplies <--Here's the link.

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SO...anyone have other recommendations besides these products?

1. What is your favorite moist hideout?
2. Self-made, or bought?
3. Why do you like it?

 

[lbanta]

I use a rectangular ziplock container with an entrance hole cut in the lid. It is clear which may not be best, but she loves it. It keep wet paper towels folded up in the bottom. I took a lighter and melted the edges of the entrance hole so they would be smooth. This is inexpensive and easy.

 

[LEOPARD1]

It doesn't get better than this.....

 

[MikeD]

So we shouldn't buy a 3-in-1 because you dropped yours?!?!

If you don't like the design and doubt your Leo would even use it then why did you buy it?

I have 2 and my Leos LOVE them. They spend most of their time on them.

If there's enough trauma to my vivarium to break the 3-in-1 then I have bigger problems than a broken hide.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Hi ~

Click: Repti Shelter? 3 in 1 Cave

/\ That's the 3-in-1 medium you bought.



The 3-in-1 used to be made from resin. It has a flat bottom. That's the one I have. The new model is made from ceramic and has a concave bottom (which makes heat conduction a problem).

My leo Cha uses hers every day. She has no problem climbing in and out.

 

[LEOPARD1]

So we shouldn't buy a 3-in-1 because you dropped yours?!?!

If you don't like the design and doubt your Leo would even use it then why did you buy it?

I have 2 and my Leos LOVE them. They spend most of their time on them.

If there's enough trauma to my vivarium to break the 3-in-1 then I have bigger problems than a broken hide.

Look at my post above. Why waste the money unless your very superficial concerning your Geckos surroundings;-)

 

[NeoLeo87]

So we shouldn't buy a 3-in-1 because you dropped yours?!?!

I think you missed when I said "I don't expect you all to be a klutz like me and drop it mid-air..." Though I appreciate the very "passionate/heated" reply.

Look at my post above. Why waste the money unless your very superficial concerning your Geckos surroundings;-)

Well, LEOPARD@1, I was going to agree that the solution can be as simple as your lovely setup. And while I wouldn't consider myself "superficial" as your choice of words, I think a more honest answer to MikeD's question would be, "One must make mistakes in order to learn."

If my mistake is being too hasty with care to get whatever is the best/practical hideout for my gecko's lifestyle, then good on my part.

 

[NeoLeo87]

The 3-in-1 used to be made from resin. It has a flat bottom. That's the one I have. The new model is made from ceramic and has a concave bottom (which makes heat conduction a problem).

Yes, I am well aware, as this has been a fact posted many times by you in our previous conversations. And while I appreciate the thought...pointing out that you have a product no longer sold, and that the new one is more problematic, does not really solve any issues users might have regarding the 3-in-1 shelter. :?
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Moving on from the 3-in-1 (if we dare do so), I'm going to say LEOPARD@1 (and as many others have done before) has the best in terms of economic and simplicity. When I find the right measurements for an appropriate sized container, I'm going to give that a try.

 

[lbanta]

I used to have a square one but recently changed to a rectangular one so she can stretch out.

 

[JIMI]

I'm also a fan of the cheap and practical ziploc containers. They are easy to keep clean, which is important to me. The only downside is the lack of security due to the clear sides. I fixed it by placing it against a back corner, placing a tile on top of it, and adding a piece of wood decor that I made to cover up the exposed side. Because I used a long tile on top it creates another warm hide area for him, which he utilizes more than any other hide. It creates a nice deep dark area that shields him from the rays of his UVB light, similar to a burrow. It also looks nicer! I'll try to post a photo to show what I mean.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

JIMI ~

Your link did not come through.

 

[JIMI]

JIMI ~

Your link did not come through.

I tried again, I hope it worked this time:?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

It works now. I see your leo. Is that Theseus?

 

[JIMI]

Yes, that's Theseus. I was making too much noise in the room and he came out to check what all of the commotion was about lol.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

/\ :biggrin:

 

[LEOPARD1]

"Superficial" was the wrong word. It generally does not mean what most people believe it to, like "literally".

My point is Geckos are not pondering what hide suits them better or looks nicer. I have found a simple,clean, almost indestructible moist hide like the one below works great and leaves me more cash for my generic setups and thus more Leopard Geckos I want to work with,

Even with the pic of my 8.5" 8 month old Female below she fits perfectly snug in it and when you measure your Leo the containers come in multiple sizes, costing next to nothing to get a larger/smaller moist hide when you upgrade/downgrade. They do grow.

 

[LEOPARD1]

I'm also a fan of the cheap and practical ziploc containers. They are easy to keep clean, which is important to me. The only downside is the lack of security due to the clear sides. I fixed it by placing it against a back corner, placing a tile on top of it, and adding a piece of wood decor that I made to cover up the exposed side. Because I used a long tile on top it creates another warm hide area for him, which he utilizes more than any other hide. It creates a nice deep dark area that shields him from the rays of his UVB light, similar to a burrow. It also looks nicer! I'll try to post a photo to show what I mean.
View attachment 34667

Well if you use glass terrariums all but the front should be "tinted" regardless of hide. You can go to Walmart,Amazon,Automotive supply store and get it cheap and as long as you are careful when applying...situation fixed. And your enclosure won't look like something out of Tarzan of the Jungle.

 

[JIMI]

Yes, I assumed that the back walls would be covered when the container is up against the wall, but to increase the security of the hide I also like to cover up the remaining sides. I personally believe that 4 transparent walls does not function sufficiently as a hide because it does little to block out light and its surroundings. A small nocturnal or crepuscular reptile would probably feel most secure resting in a dark space that feels well hidden from other potential predators. Of course, in a plastic drawer this is not an issue, but in a larger glass enclosure I'm sure it would only benefit from some extra coverage. Sorry if my enclosure looks like a scene out of "Tarzan of the Jungle" but my leo sits directly underneath those broad leaves on the top tile every night. I don't quite like the plant either, but because he makes use of the plant I choose not to remove it. I agree that reptiles do not care for the appearance of their surroundings, but putting effort into a stimulating environment that looks more natural and to encourage behavior similar to how they would behave in the wild is psychologically beneficial and overall healthier for the long run.

 

[lindsay1126]

What is the best size ziplock type container to get so an adult gecko can fit comfortably?

 

[lbanta]

I have 40 oz rectangle. Plenty of room to stretch out and turn around. Especially at shed time.