New owner

jonnyboyuk · (#1)

Hello everyone just been given 2 leopard gekos one female the other male they are in the same vavarium not got a themometer yet but going to get one asap. Im just worried that the male does not seem him self the first day i got them he was about in the tank looking around since then he just sits in the cool end the other 1 comes out at night has a look round. The only thing i have changed is the bedding which was that fake grass stuff now they have some straw like stuff i bought from the pet shop they said it was suitable for them. They are eating crickets as i have been putting a couple in each evening also hace a bowl of meal worms. I m just not sure why hes not moving around or is that normal??

spottymint · (#2)

HI

I don't know much, new myself to keeping these guy's.

Sometimes moving upsets them & they seem to sulk/go off their food depending on the individual animal.

The bedding sounds like aspen, more for snakes I thought, but I'm sure others can advise.

I'm using vinyl tiles, as most people like these as a base.

Does he look healthy ?

Well filled out body ? Fat tail ?

My guy was infatuated with waxworms, now on locusts/crickets, odd waxxy , but will not take mealworms.

Hope you get some better answers,

Spotty.

jonnyboyuk · (#3)

Thank you for the reply, yes its aspen couldnt remember the name it was the pet shop that said to me to use it so will have to get rid of that lol. All was really good last night they were both out exploring the tank and moving around. Feel much better now he looks a bit skinnier than the female but he was trying to catch a cricket last night sat watching them for a bout an hour not the most exciting experience but when he came out it was all worth it. His tail is not as fat as the female but i have only had them since friday. How often do you give them crickets as they have a pot off mealworms in all the time but they are not going very quickly. I have given them 2 times and a couple are still in the tank. I am getting a thermometer today and some calcium powder. Do you have the heat lamp and the light on at the same time?
Many thanks for any answers
John

kingcann · (#4)

u should realy dich the heat lamp and replace it with a heat mat (put under the tank) as they absorb heat thru there bellies and dont bask and only leave a light on during the day as it helps give them a clear indication of night and day

i use kichen roll as substrate as it is cheap clean and easily changeable (if you shop around u may find some with cool desighns)

and if they are of age the male might be trying to breed with the female whitch can lead the male to loose his appitite as he is only thinking of sex

my best advice tho would be to read up on leos as mutch as possible a good site is http://www.freewebs.com/sleepydeegeckos/index.html that has a great care sheet and loads of info on health and a wealth of other info

if u need any more help pm me

spottymint · (#5)

Hi

We only have the top heat lamp on for 4 hours in the afternoon, his main heat is the heat matt, on 24 hours.

We use the heat lamp to warm the air, before letting it drop at night. As already mentioned by kingcann, not really needed for a leo.

I have seen leo's basking under ceramic heaters, but one shop admitted it's the only heat he uses.

We have also used kitchen roll, but found tiles that look like stone, so switched, both easy to clean. Kitchen roll needs no cleaning, just bin.

My guy does not go for mealies, offer crickets/locusts daily & leave them in the cage till eaten. The bugs are gut loaded & fed in the cage with the leo, so they don't munch on him.

So far no probs, but only had him since July, he was ment to be going home in August !