Tank Climbing

[Britt005]

The weather has warmed up here in the bay and I can see the change in activity level of my little leo, Rizzo. She has definitely gotten more feisty (in a good way! :fight, but in the last week she has started doing a lot of tank climbing. When I got home last night I found her nearly vertical in the corner of her tank trying frantically to crawl her way up it! I can’t imagine there is anything wrong with her husbandry, I've taken all the advice I've gotten here and from my vet. She’s got her three hides, her 20 gal long tank, her temps gradient from 75 to 90 monitored by a thermostat. I wonder if she is just bored? I took her out for a 15 minute run around, and after I put her back she chilled out for the remainder of the evening. But I could tell she was doing it while I was sleep, because her moist hide (which is just a Tupperware with some rocks on it for weight, but it’s still pretty light) was pushed away from the wall. I find it like that nearly every morning. I wonder if there is a way I can make her tank more enriching? Or perhaps I take her out too much and she has come to expect it? I feel bad that she seems so cooped up. 

 

[TheresaB.C]

It may be a good idea to invest in a larger tank. If you cant afford it, try new decorations and climbing items. Hammocks work grate!

 

[Britt005]

No, not only can I not afford a larger tank but I have nowhere to put it! I started with a 10, but quickly realized that was way too small. I definitely can't afford to buy a 3rd tank in three months lol. But 20 gal should be good for a single gecko, according to everything I've read/been told?

I think I have seen those hammocks before that you are referring too, but they are mesh and I worry she may get her foot stuck in it or something. Do you use them? How do they work for you?

 

[KassieL101]

I have a reptile hammock for my leo. She really enjoys walking around on it. It's not super high up or verticle so she can get to it easily. She sometimes sits under it too, kind of making it a fourth hide.

 

[TheresaB.C]

A leo's leg should not get stuck in it. The one i have is a very tick mesh, ony a crickets leg can get though it. I use a zoomed hammock, my leo loves it

 

[Britt005]

Good to know! I will look into the hammock and how I can incorporate it. I think it's a good idea to maybe add some elevated areas for her to roam, as it will effectively increase the surface area of the tank.