Baby sitting a leo...

[Tim_Cranwill]

Ok, I don't really know anything about housing Leopard Geckos but I guess I need to learn the basics soon!:)

A buddy of mine is getting a Gecko shipped with some stuff I have on order. He works late tonight and has classes until about 4:00 tomorrow. So, I will need to take care of this little guy for about a day and a half. Here are some questions and feel free to share any other info you have time to give me...:)

These may sound like a really dumb question, but I honestly don't know.

1. Will he need to eat during this time?
2. If so, do they eat vegetables? I have baby food (I think I saw that mentioned somewhere...)
3. Can I keep him on newspaper or pine shavings?
4. What do they need in terms of a temp gradient?
5. Are they similar to snakes in that they need hides?
6. Humidity level requirement?
7. Anything else?

Like I said, this is just his home until towmorrow afternoon. If I were keeping him myself, I would have researched well in advance:)

Thanks for any help! :D

[Rebecca]

Just put him on paper towel. They eat crickets. I would just feed one or maybe two. Temps should be around 80. Yes he will need a place to hide. For over night that should be good. Oh ya at night the temp should be about 73 or so. That's what I have my geckos at, at least.

[Pixie]

From what I know, the best thing would be to keep in on paper towel with at least 1 hide and a water dish. Offer a couple of food items (either crickets or mealworms) and try to offer a temp gradient in his enclosure similar to what you would offer a corn. Approx. 85 on the warm end and 70ish on the cool side.

It'll be just fine during the time it will be with you. Handle as little as possible to avoid unecessary stress.

[Clownfishie]

Sounds like they've pretty much got everything covered :) You could keep him on newspaper as well as paper towel -- either is fine.
A water bowl, with a hide at each end (one warm, one cool) -- if it looks like he's shedding, you might want to set up a humid hide on the warm end just to help him along...
As for food, you can try offering it, just don't be terribly surprised if he doesn't eat -- they often need time to settle in after the stress of moving before they'll eat...

Good luck with him! And careful you don't get too attached -- these guys are addictive ;)

[Tim_Cranwill]

Ok, thanks guys!:)

[Linds]

I would just set him up in a small tupperware on papertowel/newspaper with a hot spot of 90. IMHO pine shavings (and all other softwoods - especially cedar!) should be avoided as substrates for reptiles since the oils are toxic (some moreso than others). Though pine is especially mild, it is still an irritant. They are primarily insectivores, but I wouldn't really offer him anything since he isn't even going to be settled in before he's being moved around again. Stress on a full stomach can lead to a lil puking ;) He isn't going to be there for too long so I would keep it very basic. Take care :)

[Alicewave]

No veggies or fruits for leos. Have fun!

[atabata]

who sat on what?