Could Someone Give me Advice on Caring for New Gecko Companion?

jesica847

jesica847

New member
Hello there,

I am excited to join this community as a new gecko owner. I recently welcomed a beautiful leopard gecko into my home, and while I have done my research beforehand, I still have some questions and would greatly appreciate any advice or insights from experienced keepers.

I want to ensure I am providing the best possible care for my gecko. I have set up a terrarium with appropriate substrate; hiding spots; and a heat source; but I am wondering about the specifics of temperature and humidity regulation. What temperature gradient should I aim for in the tank, and how do I achieve it effectively? Additionally; what humidity levels are optimal for leopard geckos, and what methods do you recommend for maintaining them?

I am also curious about feeding schedules and dietary requirements. I have been offering a variety of live insects, supplemented with calcium and vitamins, but I am unsure about portion sizes and frequency. How often should I be feeding my gecko; and are there any signs I should watch for to ensure they are receiving adequate nutrition?

I am interested in hearing about any common health concerns or warning signs to watch for. What are some indicators that my gecko might be experiencing health issues, and when should I seek veterinary attention?

Also, I have gone through this post: https://www.geckosunlimited.com/community/threads/83255/ccsp which definitely helped me out a lot.

I would love some tips on handling and interaction. While I understand that leopard geckos are generally more hands-off pets, I want to ensure I am promoting trust and minimizing stress during handling sessions. What are some best practices for approaching and handling a gecko; especially if they seem skittish or hesitant?

Thank you all in advance for taking the time to read my post and share your knowledge.
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
Now we're on our way.
Over the past ~5 years leopard gecko husbandry has changed dramatically!

For link 168 click: ***** State-of-the-Art practices using UVB through mesh with an Exo Terra 36 x 18 x 18 inch tall enclosure for a leopard gecko . . . . . . Ben Van Nest, Fran Baines DVM, & Elizabeth Freer -- May 2023 (update) *****

** About how old is your leopard gecko?
** How about a picture of him or her?
** Usually leos 18 months & older eat 2x per week. Younger leos eat more frequently.
** Warm area temps should peak in low 90s F.
** Cool area temps should drop no lower than ~67 F during the night & be 70-75 F during the day.
** Please share exact names of calcium & vitamin supplements & how often you use them.
** What do you feed bugs & worms? Carrots are great, but bugs & worms need more than carrots.


27 May 2024 quote from Frances Baines (DVM & Reptile Lighting facebook group admin lighting PRO) to Liz Freer:
"Neither a CHE nor a DHP are suitable for use as basking lamps/ daytime heat lamps as neither emit appropriate wavelengths; incandescent lamps emit the closest spectrum in the infrared range along with necessary visible light.

"Either CHE or DHP can be used to increase ambient (air) and substrate temperatures 24/7 if necessary; though a reasonable night temperature drop is needed for normal thermoregulation and as long as the vivarium has good heat-retaining substrate, extra heat at night may not be required in warm homes."

Continued with Frances Baines to Liz Freer:
"I would not choose any PAR type halogen bulb for creating a basking zone for a leopard gecko; the beams are narrow and typically far too intense for use in any average-height vivarium. All my leopard geckos (I have five, all between 11 and 21 years old) have simple incandescent basking lamps, I'm in the UK so the brands I use are ones I can get most cheaply here, but they are all in the 40watt range and are incandescent reflector floods with milky faces, including the Arcadia Basking Solar Flood like this:
https://www.petsmart.com/.../arcadia-reptile-solar...

"My vivariums are all melamine with solid roofs - if yours have the typical American style open mesh roofs with lamps in domes on top, you will likely need a higher wattage, I'd experiment with a 50W first though, as you don't want to have to dim it unless you have to. The beams from an incandescent reflector lamp - about 6.5% visible light, and the rest IR-A and IR-B) do not heat the air and are directional, so warm substrate very efficiently below the lamp; this is completely different from a CHE which works by warming the air and things in contact with the heated air, and by direct conduction from the extremely hot ceramic surface."

28 May 2024: Separate message by Frances Baines:
(Also for Jesica's information just in case)
"It's risky to keep any basking species in a 10 gallon. Most basking lamps can't provide a big enough "footprint" for the whole animal to fit safely in the basking zone without the heat from the warm substrate being conducted across and overheating the cool end.

"It's far easier to kill a reptile by overheating than by under-heating.

"A bigger vivarium is far easier to manage plus, gives your pet a proper home with space to move around and use a wide light, heat and UV gradient."


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Jesica ~ Please ignore the following \/ \/. I need to sort this out with Hilde or Marty. Then I'll remove it.
Copied & pasted from paragraph above:
https://www.petsmart.com/.../arcadia-reptile-solar...

When I go into Edit mode that's when the [UR L unfurl="true"] [/URL] appears in the link below with the blue highlighting.


Arcadia Reptile Solar Basking Floodlight

Buy Arcadia Reptile Solar Basking Floodlight at Petsmart
www.petsmart.com www.petsmart.com
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
Hi jesica847 ~
Have you seen the recent messages on your thread right here?
Please reply so we can help you with your new leopard gecko companion.

Cheers,
Liz
 
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