Getting a Leopard Gecko Need Help!

[FallOutFighter]

So I have owned a crested gecko for about a year now and I am interested in getting a leopard gecko. I have been researching around and reading care sheets but there are a few things that confuse me and some answers would be really appreciated. The thing with reptiles are everyone has different opinions. I am fine with that but please only answer my questions if you know what you are talking about. So here they are:

1. I will be feeding my leopard gecko strictly crickets. How often should I dust the crickets with a multivitamin if at all? Some care sheets say once a week others say once every second week.

2. I know I need to dust the crickets with calcium but should I dusk them every feeding? Should I use calcium with or without D3?

3. I am a little confused about feeding the crickets. Can I always feed them the same thing or should I change it up every week so that my leopard gecko will be digesting a variety of food items? What is the difference between gut loading and just feeding the crickets?

4. And finally do I need to mist the leopard geckos tank at all like I do with my crested gecko? How often should I mist the moist container that he will be using for shedding?

If you can answer any or all of these questions it would be greatly appreciated. I don't trust the employees at the pet stores so this is my only way to get answers.

 

[NeoLeo87]

Hi FallOutFighter. It's nice to see you doing research and thought before buying one of these great pets. I'll answer as many questions as I can. I have owned a leo for 12 years, and just purchased a baby for 10 months.

1. I will be feeding my leopard gecko strictly crickets. How often should I dust the crickets with a multivitamin if at all? Some care sheets say once a week others say once every second week.

Firstly, I'll answer your question with another. Why do you plan on only feeding your leo crickets? If you're so concerned about your leo getting a variety of food (you mention feeding different food to your crickets) you should be supplying a variety of insects. Hornworms, dubia roaches, mealworms are all excellent and common choices.

Also keep in mind, leo's will not all enjoy the same thing. Like people, they have preferences. My leo's don't like mealworms, but they love crickets. They also enjoy hornworms too. Stay AWAY from waxworms for now... They are like ice cream to leo's, and if they only get those, they will REFUSE to eat anything else and starve themselves until they have to eat other food again.

2. I know I need to dust the crickets with calcium but should I dusk them every feeding? Should I use calcium with or without D3?

You should not only dust with calcium. You should dust with multivitamin as well. And not together, but on different days. Here is a link to what Elizabeth told me on my thread. http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...ng/77896-2nd-leo-1st-time-raising-baby-2.html

I dust crickets with calcium on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and I dust with multivitamin on Mondays (and MUCH less dusting than calcium). A gecko is a tiny thing compared to a human. Ask yourself, "how much supplement would I take for my own body-to-supplement ratio? What I'm saying is, don't simply cake all crickets in calcium. I did this for years, and it is not good. It's overdose. You'll know the proper amount if/when you check your leo's weight.

Question 3 is a good one, but not one I feel competent to answer. Others can answer that better.

4. And finally do I need to mist the leopard geckos tank at all like I do with my crested gecko? How often should I mist the moist container that he will be using for shedding?

No, you do not need to mist the tank. Leo's get their moisture from moist hideouts, and the water they drink. I have not seen any owners recommend to mist, but maybe someone will give you other advice. People use different things for moist hides. I simply use wet paper towel, and I replace it every few days. Others use moss, and it's very important what kind you use. Some moss is not healthy.

All things considered, you say that you did a lot of research on caresheets...but I'm surprised you're asking questions that should have already been answered by reading caresheets. Elizabeth Freer has made a caresheet on this website, and if you check it out it'll answer most of your questions, and more.

Good luck!

 

[Zux]

NeoLeo did a great job addressing your questions so I'll skip right to the one he chose to leave out.

Regarding the crickets diet, that should be something you keep as constant as possible and the variety in nutrients should ideally come from variety in feeder insects offered really. Offering a number of different insects is highly advised (you may find your Gecko even insists on this after a while :biggrin

I personally offer Dubia Roaches, Locusts and Silkworms as a staple diet and supplement that weekly with Phoenix-Worms and Crickets or Meal-worms.

Regarding the second part of your question. Gut-loading refers to the practice of offering a (usually calcium rich) special food source or formal Gut-Loading product for 24-48 hours prior to feeding them to your Gecko in order to fill the insects intestinal tract with a boost of quality nutrients. What is fed to your insects on a 24/7 basis however should be something a little different and more sustainable which allows the insects themselves to be strong and healthy and thus far more filling and healthy for your friend. I offer my Cricket/Dubia Roach and Mealworm colonies 'Zoo-Med Bearded Dragon Food (Adult formula)' at all times.

I'll link below a Care-sheet from Elizabeth which can surely answer any questions you have about keeping and caring for your Crickets.

http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...feeding-issues-/68574-cricket-guidelines.html

- Shane

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Thanks Bryan and Shane for your thorough replies!

Let us know if you have further questions, FallOutFighter.

 

[FallOutFighter]

Hi FallOutFighter. It's nice to see you doing research and thought before buying one of these great pets. I'll answer as many questions as I can. I have owned a leo for 12 years, and just purchased a baby for 10 months.



Firstly, I'll answer your question with another. Why do you plan on only feeding your leo crickets? If you're so concerned about your leo getting a variety of food (you mention feeding different food to your crickets) you should be supplying a variety of insects. Hornworms, dubia roaches, mealworms are all excellent and common choices.

Also keep in mind, leo's will not all enjoy the same thing. Like people, they have preferences. My leo's don't like mealworms, but they love crickets. They also enjoy hornworms too. Stay AWAY from waxworms for now... They are like ice cream to leo's, and if they only get those, they will REFUSE to eat anything else and starve themselves until they have to eat other food again.



You should not only dust with calcium. You should dust with multivitamin as well. And not together, but on different days. Here is a link to what Elizabeth told me on my thread. http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...ng/77896-2nd-leo-1st-time-raising-baby-2.html

I dust crickets with calcium on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and I dust with multivitamin on Mondays (and MUCH less dusting than calcium). A gecko is a tiny thing compared to a human. Ask yourself, "how much supplement would I take for my own body-to-supplement ratio? What I'm saying is, don't simply cake all crickets in calcium. I did this for years, and it is not good. It's overdose. You'll know the proper amount if/when you check your leo's weight.

Question 3 is a good one, but not one I feel competent to answer. Others can answer that better.



No, you do not need to mist the tank. Leo's get their moisture from moist hideouts, and the water they drink. I have not seen any owners recommend to mist, but maybe someone will give you other advice. People use different things for moist hides. I simply use wet paper towel, and I replace it every few days. Others use moss, and it's very important what kind you use. Some moss is not healthy.

All things considered, you say that you did a lot of research on caresheets...but I'm surprised you're asking questions that should have already been answered by reading caresheets. Elizabeth Freer has made a caresheet on this website, and if you check it out it'll answer most of your questions, and more.

Good luck!

Thanks for the detailed reply. I appreciate it.

 

[FallOutFighter]

NeoLeo did a great job addressing your questions so I'll skip right to the one he chose to leave out.

Regarding the crickets diet, that should be something you keep as constant as possible and the variety in nutrients should ideally come from variety in feeder insects offered really. Offering a number of different insects is highly advised (you may find your Gecko even insists on this after a while :biggrin

I personally offer Dubia Roaches, Locusts and Silkworms as a staple diet and supplement that weekly with Phoenix-Worms and Crickets or Meal-worms.

Regarding the second part of your question. Gut-loading refers to the practice of offering a (usually calcium rich) special food source or formal Gut-Loading product for 24-48 hours prior to feeding them to your Gecko in order to fill the insects intestinal tract with a boost of quality nutrients. What is fed to your insects on a 24/7 basis however should be something a little different and more sustainable which allows the insects themselves to be strong and healthy and thus far more filling and healthy for your friend. I offer my Cricket/Dubia Roach and Mealworm colonies 'Zoo-Med Bearded Dragon Food (Adult formula)' at all times.

I'll link below a Care-sheet from Elizabeth which can surely answer any questions you have about keeping and caring for your Crickets.

http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...feeding-issues-/68574-cricket-guidelines.html

- Shane

Thanks! Very helpful