Fancy leopard gecko

[Reynells]

We've had our fancy leopard gecko for 4 days now. He's a juvenile. When should I start handling it and how long should I handle it? Should I wet his bedding every night?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

A hearty welcome to Geckos Unlimited!

"wetting his bedding every night" is a pretty broad statement. Are you speaking of his humid hide only?

It is very important NOT to handle a leo at all when you first get him. He needs a month to settle in.

Here is a Leopard Gecko Careheet:
http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...acularius-demo-video-4-jan-2013-update-5.html

For best ideas, please post a New Thread in the regular leopard gecko sub-forums on GU.

 

[Reynells]

Petsmart told me to get moss and wet it with warm water.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Have you put moss everywhere on the floor of the tank or just in his moist hide?

Leos need 3 hides: warm dry, warm moist, and cool dry.

What temperatures are you providing?

Temperatures for all leos regardless of size:
88-93 F (31-34 C) ground temp at warm end inside the warm dry hide
no greater than 85 F (29.5 C) air temp - 4 inches above ground on the warm end
no greater than 75 F (24.5 C) air temp - 4 inches above ground on the cool end

Leave the UTH on 24/7. Can turn off overhead heating at night.

There are many, many details in the caresheet, all of which a leo owner needs to be aware of.

 

[Reynells]

Why does it hiss at me? What is a good time of day to handle it?