does anyone know anything about reptiles..

[lauren grier]

as pets specifically.. and even more specifically leopard geckos, though I think my questions are pretty general :p

if you do.. here are my Q's..

1) they are nocturnal.. so does this mean any handling/cleaning of the tank/etc should be done at night? or is it better to do all that when they're all out of it anyway

2) other than where I intend on purchasing the gecko, where else would I be able to buy quality stuff for the tank? (you know the artificial turf - LG's have issues eating sand, I dunno if this is common with other reptiles-, the heating stuff.. etc etc). I know I need to have the tank set up and ready for mr gecko before I get him, and tbh, the place is a 45-60minute drive and I'd prefer only having to go down there once.

3) this is a very silly question.. LOL .. but the under tank heating element- to give even temps .. does it go INSIDE the tank, underneath the substrate/turf/newspaper/whatever you use.. or UNDER the tank.. if it is under the tank is that a fire hazard- the tank is on a wooden dresser, is there something you put to protect the wood?

4) a hidebox.. for humidity purposes.. does the reptile go IN it? lol.. "use a tupperwear container with moist peat and leave a small hole" .. small for gecko to get in.. or small for moisture to seep out?


I know these are pretty dur questions, I've just been reading the same things over and over and it's making my head kinda blarghy. LOL any other info would be super helpful and appreciated.. :] I've been reading about them for over a year now and think I am finally ready.. the only thing I'm still nervous about is the actual setting up of the stupid tank :p

[Paula]

Considering that I've had an iguana and a snake, I'll try and answer your questions La!

1) they are nocturnal.. so does this mean any handling/cleaning of the tank/etc should be done at night? or is it better to do all that when they're all out of it anyway
What this means is that they are most active at night. You can clean the tank any time you need to. You may not see much activity during the day because they usually sleep.

2) other than where I intend on purchasing the gecko, where else would I be able to buy quality stuff for the tank? (you know the artificial turf - LG's have issues eating sand, I dunno if this is common with other reptiles-, the heating stuff.. etc etc). I know I need to have the tank set up and ready for mr gecko before I get him, and tbh, the place is a 45-60minute drive and I'd prefer only having to go down there once.
I don't know of a specific place you can buy stuff. But, when we had ours, we lived in Reno and there was a reptile supply store where we bought stuff for him.

3) this is a very silly question.. LOL .. but the under tank heating element- to give even temps .. does it go INSIDE the tank, underneath the substrate/turf/newspaper/whatever you use.. or UNDER the tank.. if it is under the tank is that a fire hazard- the tank is on a wooden dresser, is there something you put to protect the wood?
I think it depends on the tank. With our tank, the heating element went underneath it with the tank going on top. We also had a heating/lighting element that fit on the top. We had our tank on a wooden desk and we never had any problems.

4) a hidebox.. for humidity purposes.. does the reptile go IN it? lol.. "use a tupperwear container with moist peat and leave a small hole" .. small for gecko to get in.. or small for moisture to seep out?
The hide box is used for the gecko to hide in for security. Sometimes they just need to get away from it all! LOL It's also a place where he can shed his skin privately. =)

I hope this helps.

[Paula]

Oh and another thing, you can just use a 60 watt bulb to heat the tank as well. You should also always have a thermometer in the tank.

[Mandy]

I have a Nigerian Uromastyx and a Chinese Water Dragon. The Uromastyx can get very ill from ingesting sand, so we fill the bottom of his tank with bird seed. That way if he eats some, it's ok AND it keeps him snacking between meals if he's hungry.
Not sure if your gecko can do the same though.
The water dragon was my brother in law's and we still have the same set-up from when we got him. He has soft wood chips in the bottom of his tank.

[joelsgirl]

Well, we don't really call them "pets", but we have lizards all up in our house. They're called cicaks (chicaks) and they hide behind pictures and large pieces of furniture. YOu don't need a cage or to feed them, and they eat all the mosquitoes. I totally recommend them. ; )

[Leah]

Didn't you just get pet skizzors? LOL