I havent yet got my Leopord geko but its reseverd for wednesday,
but i have one problem, i no nothing about them!
I have one bearded dragon so have some expiernce in the lizard department.
Any help you could give would be usefull
from temps to what to feed
thank-you!

[Gecko_Jay]

ok so basics:
diet - feed mealworms, crickets, waxworms, superworms + calcium powder
obviously need to have fresh water on cool side of vivarium
housing - one side cool one side warm with a humid hide (85 - 90 degrees fareinheight is recommended for the warm side) and have a dry hide as well
best substrate to use is preferably anything that isnt calci sand bascically lol! i personally use a fine soil called "tortoise life" by pro rep products. it looks natural and cheap! many people will suggest tiles or paper towels but it all depends on the look you are going for so its all up to you! natural or easy clean.
if you would like any more info just drop me a message! always happy to help! also if you wanted to do some reading up on leopard geckos may i suggest buyin a book called "the leopard gecko manual" - herpicultural library. its got everything from basic care and set ups to detailed info about genetics if you were interested in breeding! i highly recommend it!
Jay

[Olivine]

Check out the care sheets on SleepyD's website: they contain excellent advice and are among the best I've come across. Among other things, she includes a list of all of the equipment that you'll need, the temperatures you need to aim for, suitable feeders (and how they should be properly gut loaded etc).

Personally, I'd set the viv up at least a few days before introducing the leo, just to allow an opportunity to monitor the temperatures / make sure that they're constant etc.

And, of course, if you have any questions, just post them on here

[Olivine]

Originally Posted by Gecko_Jay

ok so basics:
diet - feed mealworms, crickets, waxworms, superworms + calcium powder
Personally I don't use waxworms as they have little nutritional value and, due to a high fat content, can cause health problems. Nor would I use superworms as a staple: standard mealworms are a more approriate size for leos (or mini-mealies for a hatchling / young juvenile), as superworms tend to be too large. A mixed diet of mealies, crickets, locusts and roaches is more balanced. In addition to calcium powder, you'll also need a vitamin / mineral supplement too (e.g. Nutrobal): for young leos, feeders should be dusted with pure calcium five nights a week and Nutrobal the remaining two nights.


obviously need to have fresh water on cool side of vivarium
housing - one side cool one side warm with a humid hide (85 - 90 degrees fareinheight is recommended for the warm side) and have a dry hide as well
85C is too cold for the warm end: warm end temperature needs to be 88F - 90F (31C - 32C) as, at lower temps, leos may experience problems digecting food.

best substrate to use is preferably anything that isnt calci sand bascically lol! i personally use a fine soil called "tortoise life" by pro rep products. it looks natural and cheap! many people will suggest tiles or paper towels but it all depends on the look you are going for so its all up to you! natural or easy clean.
Again, I would avoid using loose substrates, as not only can they cause impaction, but soil based substrates (or similar (e.g. eco earth) can retain moisture and thereby increase humidity levels in the viv (this can, in turn, increase the risk of respiratory infection in leos). Personally, I use slate, but lino, tiles (that have a rough surface texture) and kitchen towel are equally suitable.

if you would like any more info just drop me a message! always happy to help! also if you wanted to do some reading up on leopard geckos may i suggest buyin a book called "the leopard gecko manual" - herpicultural library. its got everything from basic care and set ups to detailed info about genetics if you were interested in breeding! i highly recommend it!
Jay

OP: as I've posted above, check out SleepyD's website.

thank-you for all your advice!
i have bark down is that ok?
im only useing that becuase that what he has at the pet shop and i dident want him to change, there quite big pieces so wont cause impanctation
i might change it to tile later though i have that in my bearded dragons cage he he seems to like it..
But thank-you anyhow your advice has helped

[Olivine]

Personally, I wouldn't use bark: not only does it tends to raise the humidity in the viv, but it also has a tendency to harbour bacteria. As I said previously, I prefer non-loose substrates: not only are they easier to keep clean (thereby reducing the risk of health problems for the gecko), but also they tend to be more natural (leos come from arid regions where the ground is a concrete-like hard-pan, so tiles or slate probably replicate this most closely).

If i was to use tile, would it not get too warm on the tile? i dont yet have a thermostat for the cage,

[Olivine]

To be honest, you really do need a thermostat no matter what substrate you use: heat mats (indeed, any heat source) can get far too hot without one. Using a thermostat to regulate temperature, there's no greater risk of tiles becoming too warm than kitchen towel say. I use slate roof tiles in my vivs (though I know of people who use floor tiles too) with no problem.