Thinking about getting a leo.

[Tango-n-Toads]

I have a 10 gallon tank here that is currently empty and I think that I may like to have a leopard gecko to house in it.

I have a couple of questions about them since it seems that the care sheets found online tend to have different information.

- What temperatures do they need during the day and night?
- What do they eat and how often?
- What kind of substrate do you use?
- Can you handle them much?
- How long do they live?

I have read that they are somewhat "idiot-proof" and can withstand even the worst of care. I always try to research a pet all that I can before I actually go out and buy one so that I know what i'm getting myself into. I'm willing to give one the care it needs and that's why i'm asking a million and one questions. :)

If you guys can help me out then that would be great;) Thanks.

[peterm15]

about 85-90 hot side and 75-80 night time.. they dont NEED a night drop but i lake to have one.. these are ambient temps...

mainly crix and mealies.. but wax, butter and silk worms can be given as a treat or even a staple.. id be careful with mealies.. aduts eat every other day and juvies eat every day...

DO NOT USE SAND, right now that is what i have in but i hope to change it really soon.. tile, stone, papertowel, newspaper are all greate substrates..

i have found that 1 of mine loves to be handled( tiny tim).. and one doesnt (mad max).. but he wont bite loose a tail hell just try to run, but ya there mostly handleable without any extra effort of making them that way... once a get a hold of max he usually calms down.. but will thrash once in a while.. but he is still handleable

up to 29 years.. 21 for females, these are records.. id say maybe arount 15-18 years..

they are pretty well idiot proof to make them survive but to care for them properly it does take work, as with anything.. but so far your on the right track.

i kept mine on sand and am soon changing it.. i started keeping them on sand cause my "leapord gecko manual" by philippe de vosjoli said that it was ok.. sinse then i have found this site and am going to change it.. im just waiting for next gutting... (this week)

[peterm15]

sorry for the second post but you may be able to get away with a heat pad on 24/7 and a low wattage bulb during the day.. thats what i use.. it might be to warm for you though..

[beanersmysav]

Another light you could use, which I do, is a flourecent light if you have a UTH that emits enough heat.

I use paper towels for a substrate. I personally like the look of paper towels and I find if they have humid hides with sphagnum moss in them they will get alot of use especially when shedding.

[Tango-n-Toads]

I have a bit of a strange question.

If I were to buy some cheap material, say denim, canvass or even fleece, would that work in the bottom of the tank?

I wouldn't use anything with loops like a towel because of their nails, but would anything else work? I think it would serve the same purpose as paper towel but I could wash them and reuse them and they would have cool patterns and stuff. Would be soft for sleeping on too.

(I have rodents and hedgehogs also and do the same thing for them... this is where the idea comes from)

Just an idea... Want to make sure that it would be safe first though.

[peterm15]

it could work.. im not to sure if it would be toxic... also there nails might get tangled in the material.. but then again there is carpet.. it should work.. as long as there would be no excess dies..

[Ducksarefun]

I was thinking about fleece or velux for our cresties. I had a hedgie too, and I was thinking it should work - no worries about the nails getting caught. I might worry about small fuzzies though. But paper towel is so much easier!

[beanersmysav]

Their nails get caught in paper towels??? That's a new one to me. I've had my leos for years and never saw them have trouble moving on paper towels. In fact they can go from one side to the other in seconds to get a cricket and the paper towel never ones goes with them. I dunno maybe it's your paper towel.. I see them getting stuck on denim etc easier

[Ducksarefun]

I think you misread. I don't think anyone said their nails would get caught in paper towels - just regular towels.

[beanersmysav]

Wow that's the second thing I've misread on here tonight, I guess that whicked headache is getting to me. Maybe I should just stop replying haha.

[Tango-n-Toads]

Yeah, I wouldn't use regular towels for any of my animals... too easy to get caught up in.

Fleece doesn't get loose fuzz unless it's scratched at so i'm thinking either that, denim, or even felt.

HAHAHAH what would astroturf look like? (Not going to do it... but interested in seeing it.)

[TLH_Wär§cöötmän]

You can actually buy repti-carpet made by Fluker's. It comes in 3 colors, green brown and grey. I use it in all my tanks and its washable also. If you want something that has a nice pattern, maybe look into getting slate tiles. Its safe also and very easy to clean. (its rock LOL)

I personally would not trust demin ect due to the fact strong dies are used in those fabrics. Also thge fuzzies, but again I think the main problems would be the dies in the material if ingested. Oh and like peterm15 said, avoid sand of any kind IMO also.