`Do I have a correct list of what my leopard gecko will need?

[Elizabeth Freer]

I dusted 3 out of the 6 but 1 escaped that was dusted, and 1 fell into water. So he got one that was fully dusted and one that was dusted and fell in water, so may of had some still on him. plus 3 undusted crickets. Next time Ill take out the hides and the water dish, or put him in what I keep the gutloading crickets in. Will it be ok to pick him up just to transport him from one container to the next and back?

P.S. I'm thinking of naming him Flynn.

I got it!

Do you know someone named Flynn?

It is really best to keep him in his vivarium for feeding. Moving him would be stressful.

If the crickets are too fast, consider cutting both back legs off at the knees. The crickets will still be able to move around. Don't feel bad. After all those crickets are soon to become "history" anyway. :razz:

 

[logan1234]

I don't know someone named Flynn, but I saw it on a reptile name video and I like it.

Would moving his hides be stressful for him too, or would it be ok if I do that so he can get them?

 

[Zux]

I don't know someone named Flynn, but I saw it on a reptile name video and I like it.

Would moving his hides be stressful for him too, or would it be ok if I do that so he can get them?

You can remove hides and decor to make things easier when feeding if you wish, with the exception of the hide he is in of course.

When moving things inside the cage try to move slowly and carefully and avoid making lots of noise in there, this will minimize the stress level for him.

 

[logan1234]

If the water bowl doesn't get anything in it, do I have to change the water??

Would it be too early to try to tame him? If yes, how long until I should?

If not, whats the best way to try to tame him?

 

[JessJohnson87]

I would still change it every day, whether he drinks it or not.

I would leave him be for at least 2 weeks, after that you can stick your hand in the tank and rest it on the floor to let him come to you. Let him lick your hand and climb in it, if he wants to.

 

[logan1234]

I'll go change the water and, I wish I could hold him and stuff sooner, but I don't want to stress him out.

 

[Zux]

I'll go change the water and, I wish I could hold him and stuff sooner, but I don't want to stress him out.

I was the same way, its worth the wait I promise.

I firmly believe a gecko who doesn't get forced into being handled and is allowed to become tame in his/her own time becomes a much calmer and more relaxed pet in later life. They really remember their experiences around events (especially negative ones) and if handling becomes one of them they will never like it.

I never forced mine and waited until I was sure she was OK with it before picking her up and now I can just reach in and grab her without her caring at all which is a huge thing for a gecko who was extremely skittish.

Basically the bottom line of what I'm trying to say is - Don't rush it and you will both get a better experience in the end.

When its time to begin working with him I will give you all the steps I took which worked out really well while minimizing stress on the gecko.

 

[JessJohnson87]

Shane is like the gecko whisperer, you should have a TV show.

 

[Zux]

Shane is like the gecko whisperer, you should have a TV show.

Its funny you say that because all I could do for 2 months was whisper to her :crackup:

 

[logan1234]

I fed him for the second time since I got him today and he only ate two crickets. One dusted with reptivite and one not. Is this bad? I got him last Sunday.

I took out all the hides and stuff besides paper towels and I took out the last hide with him in it since he was staying in there after a while.

I had to pick him up and scoot him over some to change paper towels, but I didn't take him out of the cage.

When he was feeding he was scratching like a cat sorta at the paper towels. Is that bad?
Also he did some wall climbing in the corner. Is that bad?

Thanks in the future for answering, and hopefully everything is just him getting settled in.

P.S. The colder side hide (atleast, maybe air temperature, too) temps are getting around 80*F is this bad? Right when I left after feeding him they were 78 point something.

 

[JessJohnson87]

Two crickets is fine, his appetite will pick up.

They will scratch at stuff, in the wild they like to burrow. Mine will go in his moist hide and scratch at the moss in there and sometimes burrow under it.

Climbing the walls usually indicates they're uncomfortable with something in their environment. Maybe the new paper towels did that.

I would try to see if you can get the temps down on the cool side. Maybe cut the CHE off for a little while and see if that helps.

 

[logan1234]

I think I turned off the CHE. I didn't turn off the thermostat but I flipped the on switch built in on the 10 inch dome's cord. What would I have to do if the temps don't drop?

 

[JessJohnson87]

I would leave it off over night and check them in the morning. You can always use a small oscillating fan to help cool it off, but don't put it directly on the tank. When the temps in my tank and tub get too high, I cut my ceiling fan on in the living room and that helps.

What's Going On With My New Leopard Gecko? - Gecko Time - Gecko Time was gonna edit my last post and link that but I would give it a read.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

What is the room temperature where you keep your leo's vivarium?

 

[logan1234]

Thanks. And thank you everyone who is helping me, you people are so nice and helpful.

 

[logan1234]

Once my dad gets home I'll see if he can check the room temps.

EDIT:

Here are the cage temps, not the room temps though.

78.5 - air temperature on warm end.

89 - Warm side hide.

77.4 - Colder end hide.

 

[logan1234]

We don't have a thermometer to measure the air temperatures in the room. We will have to go buy one tomorrow.

For now, will it be good if I just leave the CHE off and see if it lowers?

 

[JessJohnson87]

I would, he may be wall climbing because it's too warm. My cool end hide temps would get about 68* at night but be 74ish during the day, that's the floor temps. Since I moved the tank into a room that's less drafty, he's been happier.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

BTW, where is your overhead dome placed?

Please share a photo of your complete vivarium.

 

[amsdadtodd]

I just caught up on this thread, congrats on the new pet!
Your cold side temps are only a few degrees higher than recommended, but certainly not harmful or anything like that. If he's spending more time on the warm side than on the cool one, he's fine for temperatures.
A little bit of wall climbing is normal. If he's doing it constantly, then he's not comfortable with something.
One recommendation I would make is this. Your pictures look like your tank doesn't have a background. Leo's like to feel closed in. I've found they are most comfortable when I cover the outside of their tanks on three sides with brown paper bag. I just cut a shopping bag and fasten it with masking tape. I believe the color of the bag is close to that of their natural surroundings in the wild.

Good luck, with the amount of prep you've done you're in good shape, but like I mentioned in an earlier post, all leo's are individuals and you will likely be tweaking your enclosure as you learn what he wants, and this will also change over the years that you will have him.

Todd