New Owner/Rescue Leo Gecko

[cait_esco]

Hello!
I am a new Leopard Gecko owner. I acquired a Leopard Gecko quite unexpectedly. S/he was a rescue living in some pretty terrible conditions. Not only was s/he extremely malnourished, but the previous owners had crushed the tail which resulted in a partial tail amputation.
The good news is that s/he is no longer in that situation and is currently with a foster parent. I will be getting the leo soon (June 3) and I just want to give s/he the best possible life. This has given me plenty of time to do research on my new friend.

I have a 20-gallon long tank that will contain 3 hides and 2 dishes. My main worry is the floor space? I know this sounds ridiculous, but I just worry about these things. I can't get a larger tank right now and I think that 20-gallons is sufficient (at least for now). So will s/he be ok or will it be too cluttered?

Any advice would be great!

 

[muffin_song]

Hello!
I am a new Leopard Gecko owner. I acquired a Leopard Gecko quite unexpectedly. S/he was a rescue living in some pretty terrible conditions. Not only was s/he extremely malnourished, but the previous owners had crushed the tail which resulted in a partial tail amputation.
The good news is that s/he is no longer in that situation and is currently with a foster parent. I will be getting the leo soon (June 3) and I just want to give s/he the best possible life. This has given me plenty of time to do research on my new friend.

I have a 20-gallon long tank that will contain 3 hides and 2 dishes. My main worry is the floor space? I know this sounds ridiculous, but I just worry about these things. I can't get a larger tank right now and I think that 20-gallons is sufficient (at least for now). So will s/he be ok or will it be too cluttered?

Any advice would be great!

Welcome, and thanks for taking in this leo!

A 20 gallon tank is great for a single leopard gecko. Especially since your incoming leo will have some health issues, I wouldn't add in any other lizards. My experience is they don't like wide open spaces, as they don't have anywhere to hide from potential predators.

Partial tail loss isn't ideal, but tails do get dropped for various reasons and can successfully grow back.

Good luck to both of you! Please stop by if you have any questions.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Welcome aboard!

As soon as you get this leo please post a video of him walking. By the looks of his jaw, he may have some bone density issues.

Can you get a length and weight on him now?

These are the supplements I use and recommend.

• Zoo Med's Repti Calcium with D3
• Zoo Med's Reptivite multivitamins without D3
• Depending upon his age and condition: NOW brand pure precipitated calcium carbonate from a health foods store or Zoo Med's plain Repti Calcium

When I know more about him I can share a Weekly Feeding/Supplement Schedule.

 

[cait_esco]

Welcome aboard!

As soon as you get this leo please post a video of him walking. By the looks of his jaw, he may have some bone density issues.

Can you get a length and weight on him now?

These are the supplements I use and recommend.

• Zoo Med's Repti Calcium with D3
• Zoo Med's Reptivite multivitamins without D3
• Depending upon his age and condition: NOW brand pure precipitated calcium carbonate from a health foods store or Zoo Med's plain Repti Calcium

When I know more about him I can share a Weekly Feeding/Supplement Schedule.

Thank you so much! Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you. He is safely home now. I got the vitamins/calcium and he went to the vet. His jaw looks better and his tail is thickening up.
He is about 23 grams and gaining weight and I would say about 6ish inches. I am unaware of his age, but I doubt he is more than 2 years.
One thing is that I think he hissed at me last night...he didn't try to bite me I don't think (normally he is extremely sweet). I think this is due to the change in environments. He has been exploring alot. So as far as holding him and I right to start from the beginning with hm to gain trust? I don't want to him or I to be afraid.
Also, I would love a feeding/supplement schedule. Since arriving at the hospital we have been feeding him everyday.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Thank you so much! Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you. He is safely home now. I got the vitamins/calcium and he went to the vet. His jaw looks better and his tail is thickening up.
He is about 23 grams and gaining weight and I would say about 6ish inches. I am unaware of his age, but I doubt he is more than 2 years.
One thing is that I think he hissed at me last night...he didn't try to bite me I don't think (normally he is extremely sweet). I think this is due to the change in environments. He has been exploring alot. So as far as holding him and I right to start from the beginning with hm to gain trust? I don't want to him or I to be afraid.
Also, I would love a feeding/supplement schedule. Since arriving at the hospital we have been feeding him everyday.

You're welcome. Good to hear from you!

Let your leo settle in for several weeks before you begin to handle him. Scroll to post 123 (left side numbers) of the Leo Care Sheet that's linked in my signature. There you'll find detailed handling suggestions by GU's mecoat and Zux. Post 123 should give you an idea of how to proceed (gradually).

Please share a photo of your entire leo, so I know how to judge his "23 grams". A year old leo with a complete tail is often about 60ish grams. That's why I'll share the schedule for leos 12 mo and younger.

#124--Weekly Feeding & Supplement Schedule for leopard geckos 12 months old & under​

• Use Zoo Med Repti Calcium with D3 at 1 feeding per week. Lightly dust it on half the crickets or dubia, not every insect at that feeding.
• Use Zoo Med ReptiVite multivitamins without D3 at 1 feeding per week. Lightly dust it on crickets or dubia. Maybe only lightly dust half the insects at that feeding.
• Use plain precipitated calcium carbonate at 1 feeding per week. Lightly dust it on crickets or dubia. Precipitated calcium carbonate is purer than oyster shell calcium. The NOW brand sold in health foods stores is ideal.

Feed finely ground Zoo Med's Natural Adult Bearded Dragon Food (or an equivalent high quality dry diet) 24/7 to the insects and worms to cover the basics. Add high calcium, low phosphorus veggies like collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, and pesticide-free dandelion flowers/greens in a dish off to the side for extra calcium and for moisture! Vary your leopard gecko's diet. Crickets, Blaptica dubia, hornworms, Phoenix worms, and silkworms are all good.

Nutritional Comparisons of Insects & Worms

• Click: http://www.geckotime.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/table-large.png

Weekly Schedule for Leopard Geckos 12 months old & under​

Crickets or dubia >> Monday - Zoo Med Repti Calcium with D3
Crickets or duba >> Tuesday
Mealworms >> Wednesday
Crickets or dubia >> Thursday - Zoo Med ReptiVite multivitamins without D3
Crickets or dubia >> Friday
Mealworms >> Saturday - precipitated calcium carbonate
No food or free choice >> Sunday

Future weeks:
Continue on since all weeks are identical. . . . . .

 

[cait_esco]

Elizabeth,

Thank you so much for your reply. I have been reading over your care sheet. It is very informative. I am so nervous because I want to provide him with the best possible care.

As far as handling: yes, he will need everything to be gradual. I couldn't find the post, but I will continue looking. When I feed him he doesn't hiss and talk to him very softly and approach him slowly. He is located in my room near my side of the bed. I have not tried handling and won't (although he does have one last vet appt on Monday...).

For feeding: thanks for the schedule. I really needed something to go off of. Since he was malnourished I want to be sure he is getting all the needed nutrients as best as I can.

Again, thank you for all of your help. One last question: I have an UTH as well as a heat lamp. The UTH is up and he seems to enjoy the warm side of the tank the best (should I be worried if he spends too much time over on that side?). My question is concerning the heat in my room. I don't have the air on right now and it gets to be about 82 in my room. Would the heat lamp be too much heat or do you think it is ok to turn it on? I am looking into getting something to control the temperature soon.

Again, I appreciate it. You are so kind, knowledgeable and helpful!

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

You're welcome. Thanks so much for all your compliments!

The care sheet is there so that whatever the time, info is always available for those who search. :cheer:

To find post 123 use left side numbers. They'll work every time.

......One last question: I have an UTH as well as a heat lamp. The UTH is up and he seems to enjoy the warm side of the tank the best (should I be worried if he spends too much time over on that side?). My question is concerning the heat in my room. I don't have the air on right now and it gets to be about 82 in my room. Would the heat lamp be too much heat or do you think it is ok to turn it on? I am looking into getting something to control the temperature soon.

82*F is a good ambient temperature. There is no need to use a heat lamp now. In the future a CHE (ceramic heat emitter) is best for overhead heat. It's quite normal for a leo to spend much of his time on the warm end.

What are the dimensions of your heat mat for your 20 long enclosure: 30 x 12 x 12 inches?

I use and like Hydrofarm's Jump Start thermostat. Inkbird is another reliable brand.

 

[cait_esco]

I have a 20 gallon long tank and my UTH takes up a little less than half. After I installed it, I thought about getting a larger one. I have the small ZooMed one and he is basically laying on top of it at all times. I was worried about burning him, but realize now it is very unlikely as it does not get super hot.
How was the picture? His tail is healing nicely and getting thicker.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Thanks for your picture. Your leo's girth right now, tail included, looks pretty good. It's just the 23 grams that seems slight.

 

[cait_esco]

He has one last vet appt on Monday. I will get his most current up to date weight. He enjoys eating and could probably eat more. I am learning as I go and become more informed. Excited for the journey!

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Apollo's digital thermostat from Amazon -- $20

Click: https://www.amazon.com/Apollo-Horticulture-68-108°F-Thermostat-Controller/dp/B010GFADNM

 

[cait_esco]

Awesome, I ordered the UTH and the thermostat probe from Amazon. I am hoping to return them and get a programmable thermostat (which is what I wanted in the first place) and larger UTH based on your measurements.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Awesome, I ordered the UTH and the thermostat probe from Amazon. I am hoping to return them and get a programmable thermostat (which is what I wanted in the first place) and larger UTH based on your measurements.

Both Fluker's and Ultratherm make 11 x 17 inch UTHs. Both are available from Amazon.

I also recommend either a temp gun or a digital thermometer to verify the thermostat's settings.

 

[cait_esco]

Should I be keeping any calcium in his tank?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Should I be keeping any calcium in his tank?

NOPE, no lid of calcium in the tank at all. The Weekly Schedule 124 he's on (for 12 mo and younger because we're unsure of his age and bone density) has his calcium needs covered.

Compare it to schedules 125 and 126.

The only time I recommend keeping a small lid of pure calcium carbonate in the tank is for breeding females.