Dragon rescue success

[RAD House]

I have been interested in adding a lizard to my collection for awhile now, but there are a few reasons I have no yet jumped on one. The first reason is that I do not want to even risk releasing bugs into my house. Ever since I was a kid I have been creeped out by crickets. I am aware that it is irrational and certainly doesn't make me seem very manly but it is the truth. The second reason is with all the snakes I currently keep space is at a minimum. The third and probably most important is that my wife might leave me if I spend much more money on reptiles. I have looked around and only a few species meet these requirements.

I have a weird obsession with looking at the craigslist pet section. I realize most people on here do as well, but it is weird because even though I often inquire about a pet I usually never buy anything. Well why searching through the adds I found one of the many crested geckos listed I stumbled upon a two year old character of a gecko. I inquired about him to find out that not only are his lights not on a thermostat but also feed him nothing but crickets and mealworms. I just had to rescue the little guy, especially since they wanted less than what the cage he came in cost. So I am considering this my first rescue as I know he will be much better off with the Pangea and new planted version of his old home. After a month long quarantine period on paper towels of course, luckily he seems to be pretty healthy.

Finally I named the only name I think is reasonable for the little bugger, Dragon. I will get some pictures of him later so he can settle in a bit. As I am a new to geckos do any of have any advice not normally found in care guides.

[EL Ziggy]

That's great MC. I've been tempted to get a lizard too. Those blue tongue skinks are nice. I'm looking forward to seeing pictures of Drago.

[Minkness]

Yay! Welcome to the crestie side!

Pangea is great! I am trying out the new version with insects in the blend and they all love it!

If it's hard to get it to eat the pangea, get some baby food that has a sweet/tangy fruit. I buy the organic beachnut brand and mix it with the pangea and just use a bit of water to keep it thinner. Do not be afraid of baby food, just be knowledgeable and use it as more of a treat. My whole gang gets it once a month.

Sounds like you already have a good set up. Mist once a day. They are more likely to lick the water off the walls than drink from a water bowl. But, keep a good sized water bowl for humidity and soaking purposes.

They are pretty hardy, easy going guys, but watch out! They have some speed!

I'm sure you did your research, but just in case you didn't read it somewhere else, mind the heat. Anything above 8p degrees is a danger zone. (Hearing the previous owner had a heat lamp on it is just sad, and I'm surprised it's alive).

If you have any questions, just let me know. Been breeding them for a few years now. I'm no expert, but I like to think that I'm experienced. =)

Also, can't wait for pics!

[RAD House]

Thanks ziggy, those blue tongues are certainly impressive.

I also got the insect mixture, he has not yet eaten but I imagine he is stressed with the move and the bumpy ride in my p.o.s. truck. Yeah I think I am going to keep the light setup for the plants and winter time when the house gets down to sixty in certain areas, but I will definitely keep the thermostat at 75. Also thanks for the great advice.

[Minkness]

Even in winter he won't need heat. They like it in the low 70s high 60s. They can even stand cooler than that for short periods of time without any ill effect. That's part of what makes them sooooo easy to keep. No heat or light needed! ^_^

[RAD House]

Even in the low sixties for eight hours?

[Minkness]

Yup. Their temp ranges are as low as 60 and no higher than 80. Mine are at about 75-78 because they are in my snake room and I can't lower it too much because then it would be bad for my snakes.

[RAD House]

With out further ado meet Dragon.

[Minkness]

Looks good! =)

[macandchz]

dragon's so cute! i'll bet he's going to have quite the personality!

[RAD House]

Poor little guy must have been really stressed by the move, because he dropped his tail a couple of nights ago. Strange thing is he must have done it when no one was up and about. I checked on him before I went to bed and everything seemed fine, then when I woke up he had dropped it. Luckily he was already on paper towels while I set up his new tank so he will just have to remain there while he heals up.

[Minkness]

Poor guy. Was there a thunderstorm or loud noise?

[RAD House]

No thunderstorm but we do have dogs and I sleep like a rock so it is certainly possible. I was either thinking a loud noise or maybe it somehow got pinched in his tank vines. Who knows. I am bummed he is not more comfortable, but at the end of the day it is not that big of a deal.

[Albert Clark]

Wow MC! Congrats, he has the most intelligent face I thought he was doing a calculation. Haha. Very nice pickup and I get the feeling he's going to heal up soon and be one of your best additions. Do you know if this is the first time he dropped his tail? I know leopard geckos do it sometime and it takes them several days to regenerate another. Good luck with him.

[RAD House]

Thanks Albert. You are right most Geckos can in fact regrow their tails but crested geckos are one of the few species that can not. It is not a big deal for them in fact most adults found in the wild are sans tail.

[chairman]

While rare, a gecko can drop his tail if he starts falling from the top of his enclosure and his tail finds purchase on something towards the end of the fall. Some geckos just let go with a tug, others will bark and attempt to bite anything that grabs their tail.

But you're right, he won't really miss it. He should become more prone to hopping, though. It is somewhat amusing, geckos that used to walk everywhere turn into little bunnies when they lose their tail.

[macandchz]

my dtr rescued one from petco who had lost his tail. it's been a year now and it hasn't grown back. we love him anyway and named him Nubby. With everything he does, I don't think he even misses it.

[Minkness]

So very true! XD