New AFT owner questions!

[pixelgecko]

Hi everyone~
I'm planning to get my first ever reptile this year (an aft obviously<3) And I was hoping I could get some advice! I've researched almost everything quite thoroughly at this point, but there are things that still confuse me or that I can't seem to find online.

1. I'm planning to feed silkworms to start with. What size should I get and how many do I need to feed per day?

2. I've heard mixed things about whether these geckos need UVB. I was planning to get the Arcadia Shadedweller Mini, but how far does it need to be positioned above the animal to provide the right amount?

3. Would a fogger be sufficient for raising humidity? How often to I need to run it and for how long?

4. I wanted to use one of those "moonlight" lamps for viewing my gecko at night, but I heard that coloured bulbs are bad for reptiles? Is this true and is there a safe alternative?

Thank you in advance! =D

 

[acpart]

Congrats on your plans to get an AFT. Here are my answers to your questions. Other people may see it differently:
1. silkworms: the majority of AFT's have no interest in worms. I've had some that would eat superworms but most of them preferred crickets and wouldn't touch worms. Also, silkworms can be expensive and sometimes hard to get. If you can stand to do it, crickets or dubia roaches are probably the best bet.

2. UVB: They're nocturnal and tend to be even more reclusive than leopard geckos so they may be in their hides all day. They usually get their D3 from powdered supplements. I think Arcadia does make some bulbs that have penetrating UVB for these nocturnal geckos. Your best bet is to send some email to Arcadia and take it up with them.

3. A fogger is going to provide cool mist which may make things too cold for the AFT. I have many cages that need humidity and have been fine using one of those latching misters where you pump it and then latch it on and mist as needed. I was misting my AFT's every morning and things were fine with them.

4. I honestly don't think a night light is necessary. My geckos are in my living room and dining room and when I'm down here the overhead lights are on, I can see my geckos, and they have gotten used to the light.

Aliza

 

[pixelgecko]

Congrats on your plans to get an AFT. Here are my answers to your questions. Other people may see it differently:
1. silkworms: the majority of AFT's have no interest in worms. I've had some that would eat superworms but most of them preferred crickets and wouldn't touch worms. Also, silkworms can be expensive and sometimes hard to get. If you can stand to do it, crickets or dubia roaches are probably the best bet.

2. UVB: They're nocturnal and tend to be even more reclusive than leopard geckos so they may be in their hides all day. They usually get their D3 from powdered supplements. I think Arcadia does make some bulbs that have penetrating UVB for these nocturnal geckos. Your best bet is to send some email to Arcadia and take it up with them.

3. A fogger is going to provide cool mist which may make things too cold for the AFT. I have many cages that need humidity and have been fine using one of those latching misters where you pump it and then latch it on and mist as needed. I was misting my AFT's every morning and things were fine with them.

4. I honestly don't think a night light is necessary. My geckos are in my living room and dining room and when I'm down here the overhead lights are on, I can see my geckos, and they have gotten used to the light.

Aliza

Hi, Thanks for the reply~

What is a latching mister? And, what about if I put warm water in the fogger?

 

[acpart]

Latching mister: most smaller spray bottles are set up so you have to push the trigger for each spray. A latching one means that you pump the plunger on top to build up pressure and then you just depress and lock the switch and it keeps spraying until you turn it off. Here's a link to the one at Home Depot:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-56-oz-Handheld-Sprayer-0-4375-Gal-56HDX/312367618

I guess you could put warm water in the fogger, but how long will it stay warm?

Aliza