Questions about Reptiles: Specifially Leopard Gecko's

Hello!

So our 36 gallon tank has been up since March, and our 3.7 gallon Betta tank since September. We have been considering getting into reptiles, specifically Leopard Gecko's. I must admit, I am completely ignorant about even the basics of reptile care. Can anyone here shed any light on the subject for me? Has anyone had specific experience with Leopard Gecko's? Below are some of the basics I would like to learn more about:

1. Size of habitat. Would a 10 gallon terrarium be sufficient for a juvenile Leopard Gecko?
2. How fast do Leopard Gecko's grow? (I.e., how fast would they grow out of the 10 gallon, if at all?)
3. Can you explain the requirements around heating and lighting?
4. What kind of substrate is appropriate? Would sand work?
5. What are the feeding requirements? Is live food necessary at all times?
6. I have heard of several different supplements/powders to sprinkle on food. What can you tell me about that?
7. What's the deal with reptiles and calcium?

I am sure I will think of more questions tonight. Looking forward to some advice!

Platy

 

Hi! A 10 gal would be ok for a single normal leopard but a 20 long would be better
They can grow pretty slowly, you can have them in a ten gal just until you feel he needs room.
These guys do not like light, they will hide more and be more stressed out if there is a lot of light. The best thing to do, is make a "hot spot". A heat mat by zoomed will work just fine under one side of the tank, but you need a thermostat because these pads can get up to 120 degrees and that is way to hot and can cook your little guy.
Substrate, oh that's a huge controversy with Leos. Most people use paper towels, sand has caused problems and a lot of people don't recommend it.
Food is my favorite part with every reptile lol these guys needs a variety of insects. Like superworms (when they are older) crickets, mealworms, dubia roaches, reptiworms, phoenixworms waxworms ect. The waxworms are like gecko crack no joke lol they are highly addictive and only should be given as treats because they aren't all that healthy.

 

Oh and the supplement thing. All reptiles need calcium in their diet weather they get it from their food or from powder. Also for these guys to absorb calcium they need D3. This D3 usually comes from UVB bulbs. Since you won't be using and lighting you need to get the calcium with D3. This needs to be dusted on there food every like 3rd feeding.

This has all worked for me, but there are MANY ways out there to choose from, so it doesn't mean my way is the best I just hope I helped alittle! I will try to answer any questions you have

 

Reptiles do need some calcium, but it's easiest to get into your reptile by feeding this to the food it will eat. ie.. feed quality food to the crickets, roaches, waxworms, etc. There are several different options to "gut load" the food. Feeding good stuff to the lizard's food means that this gets into your lizard when it gets eaten.

Also, make sure you spray the tank at least once a day including spraying your gecko with dechlorinated water. The humidity will help make sure he/she sheds properly.

I, personally, would stay away from meal worms unless they are dead I knew of one person who lost their gecko because it swallowed the worm whole and choked. The worm lived

 

A 10 gallon is perfect for a baby. Upgrade to a 20 long when you feel the 10 gallon is getting cramped. That was only a few months, for my guys-- the little fatties ate like pigs when they were little lol

For supplements, I really love Repashy Leopard Gecko Plus. Make sure it's the Plus, as that has calcium and D3 in it. I've raised three healthy geckos on it, and unless something that's just as good comes out that's cheaper, I'll continue to use it happily.

I don't recommend spraying directly into the tank. Instead, use a wet hide, with some paper towels or moss (I like paper towels better-- easier to clean). Keeping a wet hide will allow the gecko to be where it's humid if it wants to, and dry when it wants to. It will also ensure that there is always a proper place for the gecko to shed. It can be something as simple as a food container, or something commerciall ybought to look like a rock or something fancy.

I feed mainly meal worms (I breed my own-- very easy, and saves me more than $20 a month), and when I can get them from a good source, I feed crickets, wax worms, and super worms. The selection on feeders here is minimal, and DubaI roaches are illegal, so I get what I can and make it work.

Always gut load your feeders for at least 24 hours before offering them, and dust them when you feed them off. I use spring mix (with no spinach), squashes, and the occasional carrot as a gut load.

 

Yes!! What they said! I forgot alittle bit lol

 

Thanks for all the info! As I said, I am quite new to the reptile world so thank you for bearing with my ignorance.

Speaking of my ignorance, I seem to have overlooked the fact that Leopard Gecko's are insectivorous... Since we do not have the space to house a Cricket enclosure as well, we will not be able to go the Leopard Gecko route; unless there are different options for feeding? Everything that I have read so far though seems to state that they require live food.

Have you had any experience with the Crested Gecko? I read that they do not require live food all the time, and can eat a commercially prepared powdered diet. I would be able to feed them live foods on occasion, but as I mentioned above- I do not have the space to permanently house Crickets.

I also read that they do not have any specific heating requirements. Can anyone shed some light on these little guys for me?

 

I don't have experience with then or much knowledge, but I do know they are great beginner geckos. I also heard that they are fine in room temperature. Hopefully someone with alittle more knowledge can help
If you can find what you need on here you can try the reptile forum I'm apart of, I can send you a link if you want.

 

So bought the terrarium today! I am going to go buy the crested gecko tomorrow. I already met him today and he was awesome.

I purchased the ExoTerra tall terrarium, with eco earth substrate, moist moss for one corner, and some plants. I will get the water and food dishes tomorrow.

My thermometer and hygrometer are set up, and reading 70F and 50% humidity. My only concern is the temperature. I read that crested gecko's do not require a heat lamp, but with a day time temperature of 70F, I feel like that is a little cold for him. Any recommendations for lights that give off enough heat, but not too much, for a crested gecko?

 

not sure on the heat lamp. Timmy my tortoise doesn't really have one… But he lives near a window so he gets his heat from there. I LOVE eco earth! it is a really good substrate and is easy to sift through. it absorbs water well so it keeps the humidity stable(in my tank at least)

 

I too am a huge fan of eco earth! I have 4 bricks of it just on case lol I use it as the substrate for my water dragon.
What I use for heat is the zoo med reptI basking spot lamp, I love these and have been using them for years. They are very well priced and for you, you could use just the 50 watt for alittle extra heat.
But I still don't know all that much about cresteds, so it might be a good idea to ask on a reptile forum

 

I have experience with crested geckos, they are almost completely nocturnal. They hide like chameleons and just are not as active as other species. I just want to throw that out there. I was super excited when I first found them, and researched them like mad. Then we got them. I prefer a more interactive pet, something I can see and enjoy at least. I would do some google searches, there are some good info pages on them on some of the bigger breeder pages.

 

So I got him on Saturday!

He's in an exo terra terrarium with eco earth subrstrate, a nice piece of driftwood, two suction cup plants on each side, a cork log for a place to hide, one of those bendable vines, and a plant with broad leaves on the bottom.

 

He is adorable! what's his name?

 

Good setup! I have a cg in an exo terra living viv

 

That looks perfect for a cresty!!! nice job, I love it

 

Her name is Aurora! Thanks everyone!

 

I love her name!