Hello, I decided to join GU, so I could further my passion for the gecko breeds. I grew up taking care of a AFT at my parent's house, and recently, I acquired a leopard gecko of my own.
Unfortunately, Tina, the leopard gecko, has a sad history... Apparently, her previous owners dropped her off in June at the store and then walked out. They literally refused to take her back home. It was against the store's policy to take it, but there was little they could do. From the first moment I saw her, she stole my heart and hearing her story furthered my passion to buy her. She even stole my girlfriend's heart, who was completely opposed to me getting one at first.
After I bought her, I upgraded her cage to have an under-the-tank heater and I removed the basking light that took the heat up to over 110 degrees F... I also bought a humid hide for her to use when molting or when she just feels like it.
I have a few questions I would like to ask everyone to get their opinions on. The first one is if it is normal for the leopard gecko to not use humid hide? I heard that if the leo didn't have one growing up, it is less likely to use it when they are an adult... She didn't even use it to molt a few weeks ago.
Another question I have is about the substrate. I have heard a lot of mixed opinions on sand. She seems to have been on sand her whole life since that is what her previous owners brought her in on. She seems to be full grown, so I heard this cuts down on the impaction risk. I bought reptile carpet, but I heard that this can help bacteria grow inside of the tank... I thought I would ask you guys this before I changed it incase the sand would be better.
The last question I have is if there is a way to tell how old she is... Since I didn't get her as a juvenile, I have no idea how old she is. I have multiple pictures I can provide and I can measure length if needed.
Thank you all for taking your time to read this and I hope I can help this community!
Here are a few of my favorite photos of her:
Unfortunately, Tina, the leopard gecko, has a sad history... Apparently, her previous owners dropped her off in June at the store and then walked out. They literally refused to take her back home. It was against the store's policy to take it, but there was little they could do. From the first moment I saw her, she stole my heart and hearing her story furthered my passion to buy her. She even stole my girlfriend's heart, who was completely opposed to me getting one at first.
After I bought her, I upgraded her cage to have an under-the-tank heater and I removed the basking light that took the heat up to over 110 degrees F... I also bought a humid hide for her to use when molting or when she just feels like it.
I have a few questions I would like to ask everyone to get their opinions on. The first one is if it is normal for the leopard gecko to not use humid hide? I heard that if the leo didn't have one growing up, it is less likely to use it when they are an adult... She didn't even use it to molt a few weeks ago.
Another question I have is about the substrate. I have heard a lot of mixed opinions on sand. She seems to have been on sand her whole life since that is what her previous owners brought her in on. She seems to be full grown, so I heard this cuts down on the impaction risk. I bought reptile carpet, but I heard that this can help bacteria grow inside of the tank... I thought I would ask you guys this before I changed it incase the sand would be better.
The last question I have is if there is a way to tell how old she is... Since I didn't get her as a juvenile, I have no idea how old she is. I have multiple pictures I can provide and I can measure length if needed.
Thank you all for taking your time to read this and I hope I can help this community!
Here are a few of my favorite photos of her:
