Lizards / geckos?

[JoshS]

Hey, has anyone here owned a lizard or gecko, if so what kind was it? How hard are they to take care of? what was the cost of it and the cost of the starter supplies needed (aka cage and food etc)? did you like it?

[Power Cosmic]

I can't answer your questions on cost with any precision since I'm in the UK and you know how exchange rates can change.
I personally own a leopard gecko, but I can advise you on just about any gecko that's popular in captivity. What kind do you want? Since it depends really on how much work you're willing to put in. Costs for basic equipment averages at around $250(this is according to google's currency converter, but due to heavy consumer taxation etc. over here, your price tag might be a bit less, but again, I can't say for sure. It'll be certainly around that amount.)

The essential things you need include a thermostat designed for use in a reptile's enclosure, two thermometers, a heat source, and of course, a suitable enclosure. There's also internal decor, places for it to hide and feel secure etc, though the specifics vary with species. You'll also need a healthy disregard for what pet shops tell you, since most will bullshit you just to get you to buy stuff you don't technically need, whilst others will let you walk out without everything you do need, feeling that you won't buy the animal if there's a cost tag that's too high.
Other things to keep in mind include the issue of food. Most geckos eat insects, most commonly crickets, locusts or mealworms, appropriately sized. Crickets are the most common, and they are FAST, so escapees are highly undesirable. Also, they smell a bit, but that's my personal opinion there. They can also nip your gecko if left uneaten/uncaught. There is a couple species of gecko that can have a kind of prepared fruity mush that comes in powdered form which you mix up with water, things like crested geckos for example. But they can be tricky, since they don't like it too warm, and it's much easier to make an enclosure warmer than to cool it down, so depending on how warm your room is, that may or may not be a problem.
Another big thing is their life span. Most geckos will live between 10-15 years if taken care of right, possibly more. Are you ready for that kind of commitment? Are you planning on going to college etc.? Keep stuff like that in mind.
I'm not trying to dissuade you or anything here, I love reptiles, they make great pets, just make sure you know what you're getting into, and that you're prepared.

If you answer is yes, then I'll list exactly all the things you need.


Also, is there a particular speceis you've got your eye on, or are you just wandering about different ones? I'd advise a leopard gecko if you're not sure, since their requirements are quite basic and they don't need UV light (thought it's beneficial) which takes a chunk off the cost.

[JoshS]

I did get a leopard gecko yesterday . I have him in a 10 gallon tank, I am using lamps right now for heat until I get enough for a heat pad for em.

[Power Cosmic]

You bought one without having proper equipment? Please tell me you've got a dimming thermostat for the lamp to regulate temperature? Since it can get far too hot in an enclosure heated by a lamp, and reptiles can't really cool down very easily, also the constant light is unnatural for it and will stress it out, unless you're using a red bulb, which they can't quite see.
Also make sure you're not using any kind of loose substrate, shops will try to sell you sand saying they're from deserts which is only half true, they're from rocky deserts and that amount of sand can be accidentally swallowed when catching food and block up their gut and kill them.

http://www.thereptilian.co.uk/care_s...care_sheet.htm

That has the basics but please please do all the research you possibly can . You really really shouldn't have bought it until you had the tank set up for at least a few days so you know the conditions are right...
Can I see a photo of the enclosure?

Also, you say 10 gallon, but what are the dimensions, since those matter a bit more. Mainly, how much floor space does the gecko have?

[JoshS]

Originally Posted by Power Cosmic

You bought one without having proper equipment? Please tell me you've got a dimming thermostat for the lamp to regulate temperature? Since it can get far too hot in an enclosure heated by a lamp, and reptiles can't really cool down very easily, also the constant light is unnatural for it and will stress it out, unless you're using a red bulb, which they can't quite see.
Also make sure you're not using any kind of loose substrate, shops will try to sell you sand saying they're from deserts which is only half true, they're from rocky deserts and that amount of sand can be accidentally swallowed when catching food and block up their gut and kill them.

http://www.thereptilian.co.uk/care_s...care_sheet.htm

That has the basics but please please do all the research you possibly can . You really really shouldn't have bought it until you had the tank set up for at least a few days so you know the conditions are right...
Can I see a photo of the enclosure?

Also, you say 10 gallon, but what are the dimensions, since those matter a bit more. Mainly, how much floor space does the gecko have?

no i bought the tank and all that first, and had it set up. the temperature and everything are good except the humidity is at %34 and the temperature is 84 F. but everyone i have talked to has said it is fine. I will get a photo of the enclosure tomorrow, i don't use a heat mat though, i use a lamp but it keeps the temperatures fine for now until i can get the mat. He seems to be enjoying his new enclouse so far he is climbing all over everything . (water bowl, humid hide, and dry hide and a small pvc pipe that he can climb in too get too the top of the bigger rock. (not a heat rock). He is starting to shed his skin also i noticed today because he was sleeping in his wet hide and then when he came out tonight i noticed that most of hit had pealed off except a few spots left on his back. I fed him 2 crickets last night, then fed him four tonight since i didn't feed him the last one last night. He ate all 4 up quick though. Also, the night bulb is a red one.

[Power Cosmic]

Okay, whilst the setup itself seems alright from what you say, the heating system seems a bit questionable. Firstly make sure the bulb is somewhere were the gecko can never touch it, since if they can, they will, and it won't come off better for it. Do you have a dimming thermostat to control it's temperature btw? Since they're essential. Pricey, but very important, since it'll make sure the temperature in the tank stays constant, which is essential to your gecko's health.

Also, you say the actual temperature at the moment is 84 (which is 28°C, I think in C, so I'll just use those ^^; ), where abouts is that? Ideally you should have a temperature gradient in the tank, so there's a hot end and a cool end. The temperature around the hottest part of the tank should be around 32°C /89°F, and the coolest should be about room temperature, but no lower than ~23°C/73°F, though I don't think you'll have a problem with that, since I can see you're living near a desert or something I'm guessing, since you mentioned having relative humidities in the 30's. In order to measure temperatures, use a digital thermometer, the dial ones are woefully inaccurate. The digital thermometre should ideally have two probes, or get two with a single probe, one for each end of the tank.
About that, what do you have in your humid hide? I'm guessing sphagum moss?

Also, have you left a bowl of calcium dust in for it? And are you using a vitamin supplment to dust the crickets with before you feed it? Also, how big is it? Just so I can say if you're feeding it enough etc. Remember though, nothing bigger than the space between it's eyes, or there's a risk of choking.

And a photo would be cool, just in case there's anything I havn't thought of. If there's one of the basics you're unsure of, don't hesitate to ask, or take a look at that care sheet I linked to back there, it's quite thorough.

[JoshS]

Originally Posted by Power Cosmic

Okay, whilst the setup itself seems alright from what you say, the heating system seems a bit questionable. Firstly make sure the bulb is somewhere were the gecko can never touch it, since if they can, they will, and it won't come off better for it. Do you have a dimming thermostat to control it's temperature btw? Since they're essential. Pricey, but very important, since it'll make sure the temperature in the tank stays constant, which is essential to your gecko's health.

Also, you say the actual temperature at the moment is 84 (which is 28°C, I think in C, so I'll just use those ^^; ), where abouts is that? Ideally you should have a temperature gradient in the tank, so there's a hot end and a cool end. The temperature around the hottest part of the tank should be around 32°C /89°F, and the coolest should be about room temperature, but no lower than ~23°C/73°F, though I don't think you'll have a problem with that, since I can see you're living near a desert or something I'm guessing, since you mentioned having relative humidities in the 30's. In order to measure temperatures, use a digital thermometer, the dial ones are woefully inaccurate. The digital thermometre should ideally have two probes, or get two with a single probe, one for each end of the tank.
About that, what do you have in your humid hide? I'm guessing sphagum moss?

Also, have you left a bowl of calcium dust in for it? And are you using a vitamin supplment to dust the crickets with before you feed it? Also, how big is it? Just so I can say if you're feeding it enough etc. Remember though, nothing bigger than the space between it's eyes, or there's a risk of choking.

And a photo would be cool, just in case there's anything I havn't thought of. If there's one of the basics you're unsure of, don't hesitate to ask, or take a look at that care sheet I linked to back there, it's quite thorough.

Yes, the bulb is sitting on top of the screen lid. I don't have dimming thermostat i have never even heard of one. The temperature is at about the middle of the cage so inbetween the cool and hot end. Yes i have sphagum moss in there. Yes there is a bowl of calcium dust in there. I had the pet store dust them but now i have my own calcium dust so i am dusting them myself. There is a picture of the cage and the gecko its self in my Gecko album if you will go check it out.

[Power Cosmic]

Cool, I'll do that.
And that's good that you have all that stuff =).

And a dimming thermostat is basically a device that you connect to the mains, and then you plug your bulb into it and it has a sense probe which you put into the tank and turn a dial on the device itself which will basically dim/brighten the bulb as needed and hence keep it around a constant temperature. They look like this:
http://www.surreypetsupplies.co.uk/h...hermostat.html

That's a UK site, but I'm pretty sure you can get it somewhere closer to you and hence avoid massive shipping charges etc.

Also, as for dust, calcium alone isn't quite enough, they need vitamin D3 so they can metabolise (make use of) the calicum, and all sorts of other stuff too. A good one is Repashy's Calcium Plus, which is an extremely high quality 'all-in-one' supplment, you just dust every feed with them and that'll keep your gecko nice and healthy =).
http://www.store.repashy.com/calcium-plus-bag.html

Might seem a bit pricey, but if you put a teaspoon-ful in a tub and dust crickets in there before picking them out and putting them into the gecko's tank all nice and dusted, you can reuse that same teaspoonful for a week or two, as long as you keep it somewhere cool and out of direct sunlight. You should also refrigerate the stuff, it'll help it last longer =).


I just took a look at your album, your layout and stuff looks good, and the gecko is adorable .

[JoshS]

Thanks . I will get the extra supplement when I get some more money. The temp stays at a pretty constant 84 F. Thanks is it normal for him to sleep some at night too?

[Power Cosmic]

Yeah, quite normal, they can be quite lazy sometimes.
That said, you also need to figure out a way to get the temperature higher, and for a higher wattage bulb etc, you'd probably need that dimmer to make sure it doesn't overheat over time.

Remember, there should be a hot spot of around 32°C / 90°F , but only at one side so the gecko is free to choose to lie in the heat if it wishes (this is called thermoregulation).

[JoshS]

Originally Posted by Power Cosmic

Yeah, quite normal, they can be quite lazy sometimes.
That said, you also need to figure out a way to get the temperature higher, and for a higher wattage bulb etc, you'd probably need that dimmer to make sure it doesn't overheat over time.

Remember, there should be a hot spot of around 32°C / 90°F , but only at one side so the gecko is free to choose to lie in the heat if it wishes (this is called thermoregulation).

When I move the light closer to temp gauge it goes up too about 90-95 so I can assume its 90 under the light can't I ? Alright I just wanted to make sure its not bad. How much should I feed him you think? Also, i put a new picture up can you check and make sure that everything looks right on him?

[TheBabyEater]

Feeding is tricky. I have a leopard gecko myself and I've heard from people that feeding them pinkies (baby mice) is totally acceptable and normal. Never, ever, ever do this. No matter what the idiotic pet store tells you. Someone else on here fed their gecko a pinky every few days as a regular diet. The poor thing died in a few years, when they should live up to 10 or 20.

I feed mine mostly crickets and a few meal worms. I feed her two or three every other day, sometimes every day, and she seems to do fine. She's at a healthy weight, while still being very active. While it's fairly hard to actually overfeed your gecko, they'll stop eating at some point, I see fat ones on YouTube all the time from feeding them pinkies and waxworms when they don't need to. Mine is fully grown though, yours looks to be a baby still. Just remember to feed it only as much as he will eat in 15 minutes or so. While I love the stimulus of crickets, I'm sure the constant chirping, crawling, and even eating the geckos tail sometimes gets annoying to the little guy.


Your home looks a lot better now than it did when you first got the gecko. You had me worried to be honest. I'd personally trust every little thing Janos tells you, you're in good hands. That guy is a lizard/snake genius.

[JoshS]

Originally Posted by Mr. Gir

Feeding is tricky. I have a leopard gecko myself and I've heard from people that feeding them pinkies (baby mice) is totally acceptable and normal. Never, ever, ever do this. No matter what the idiotic pet store tells you. Someone else on here fed their gecko a pinky every few days as a regular diet. The poor thing died in a few years, when they should live up to 10 or 20.

I feed mine mostly crickets and a few meal worms. I feed her two or three every other day, sometimes every day, and she seems to do fine. She's at a healthy weight, while still being very active. While it's fairly hard to actually overfeed your gecko, they'll stop eating at some point, I see fat ones on YouTube all the time from feeding them pinkies and waxworms when they don't need to. Mine is fully grown though, yours looks to be a baby still. Just remember to feed it only as much as he will eat in 15 minutes or so. While I love the stimulus of crickets, I'm sure the constant chirping, crawling, and even eating the geckos tail sometimes gets annoying to the little guy.


Your home looks a lot better now than it did when you first got the gecko. You had me worried to be honest. I'd personally trust every little thing Janos tells you, you're in good hands. That guy is a lizard/snake genius.

the home is the same? Only thing different is I added the calcium bowl and PVC and moves the water.

[Power Cosmic]

Aw, thanks Marissa . I'm really not a genius, I just go on what I call 'Information Binges' a lot >.>, so I'll know at least something about most common species and a bit more about ones I have myself.

And about the thing about the lights...well, I'm not sure, since if you put the light in the middle, that'll 'equal out' the temperatures and get rid of the temperature gradient, which is what you're looking for. You should get a digital thermometer to measure the temperature at each end of the tank, just to be sure, since remember, reptiles have no way to cool down if they're too warm and 95 is far too hot.

[JoshS]

I will when I get some more money man, I have the light on the left side the thermometer is in the middle, did you think the gecko looked like he had shed it all?

[Magic.]

I have a baaby gecko living in my room, but I don't keep him he's wild. SO cute!! His name is Steve
Best of luck with yours!!

[TheBabyEater]

To be 100% honest with you, you -probably- shouldn't have gotten a pet if you didn't have the correct home already set up or the money to get it all. But that's in the past now anyway

[JoshS]

Originally Posted by Mr. Gir

To be 100% honest with you, you -probably- shouldn't have gotten a pet if you didn't have the correct home already set up or the money to get it all. But that's in the past now anyway

I HAVE EVERYTHING! the only thing i don't and didn't have before i got him was The second thermometrer. I don't mean for you take this meanly but god bless I have already had someone say the same thing. I understand what you are saying, but other then that really what else am i missing?

[TheBabyEater]

Would you calm down for a second? My word. I didn't even criticize you, not even politely. We're trying to help you, both you and your gecko. But you've had a lot of questions and I just feel that while it's awesome to ask questions, you should have done this research -before- getting the gecko.

[JoshS]

Originally Posted by Mr. Gir

Would you calm down for a second? My word. I didn't even criticize you, not even politely. We're trying to help you, both you and your gecko. But you've had a lot of questions and I just feel that while it's awesome to ask questions, you should have done this research -before- getting the gecko.

I am calm, hence the " I don't want you take this wrong ". I did do a decent amount of research and still am, its just kind of like a double check because we all know you can't trust everything you read on the internet .