Geckos are like the hamster of the reptile world ; they are precious , easy to care for and make enceinte starter dearie for the would - be reptile partizan . However , you really need to find out how to look after a gecko darling before bring one home .
Popular Pet Gecko Lizards
gecko are mitt - sized lizard and a bragging succeeder story in the reptile creation . According toThe Ark in Space , there are around 1,500 species of gecko occupying different environmental niches , a testament to their adaptability . Of these , those commonly kept as pets are the leopard gecko , crest gecko , and African fat - tail gecko . These species have broadly the same care requirements and a reputation for being friendly , which makes them peachy for tyro .
Gecko Morphs
In addition , " Morphs " are popular among gecko addicts . According toLeopard Genetics , these are geckos selectively bred to raise strange hide patterns or colors that do n’t occur in the wild . example admit :
Overview of Gecko Care
gecko go 15 to 20 year . So unlike the humble hamster , your gecko is go to be around for a longsighted sentence . If the gecko is a tike ’s ducky , this means their caregiver may get up and leave home , so be sure you are happy with this level of commitment . Geckos can inhabit alone or in groups , but with only one male per tank to prevent fighting . Of course , only keep a male with females if you are prepared for the resulting orchis and hatchling !
Gecko Housing and Diet Overview
gecko are also nocturnal , which means it ’s not all-important to leave a UVB lamp ( as it is for other reptiles . ) However , geckos are inhuman - blooded and need the supplying of a constant high temperature reservoir . Geckos are insectivore and eat the the likes of of crickets , waxworms , and mealworms dusted with a atomic number 20 supplement . They should have water provided , not so much to pledge but to humidify the air .
Handling Your Gecko
Geckos enjoy easy treatment and are sedate walkers rather than roadrunners , making them less likely to dart off and get miss . Be prepared for your gecko to cast his cutis , which will make him look quite comical at times . The headstone to successful gecko parenting is assume care of the detail , which makes the difference of opinion between a unwell gecko and a thriving one .
The Ideal Gecko Habitat
PetCoach.comexplains how to make a gecko feel at household .
Tank Size
Geckos are ground - dwelling house and not big climbers so a long , low tank is fine . A individual gecko requires a lower limit of a 10 - Imperial gallon tank , with 15 gallons for a couple , and 20 Imperial gallon for four . A glass cooler work well with a mesh lid to forestall escapee . Be careful not to put your tank car in direct sunlight as it will get too hot for your pet .
Substrate
The base covering is known as the ' substrate . ‘Anapsidsexplain how gecko have tender skin and are also prostrate to bowel closure if they swallow substratum when give , so pick out cautiously . The best recommendations are :
Avoid sand , wood shavings , corn cob chips , cat litter , or the same as these can cause skin disease or gut impactions .
Furniture
Within the tank , the gecko should have three area : a smirch for hiding , one quad for heat basking , and another area for explore . This allow the gecko to fulfill a range of natural demeanour so he does n’t become bored , fearful , or frustrated . This is well done with a half coco palm scale for a concealing spot , some rocks and branches for basking on and plants to search . Many people choose for unreal plant , but if you fancy live greenery always double gibe the plant is secure if your gecko absorb it .
Heating
A inhuman gecko ca n’t digest food , so keeping the temperature correct , twenty-four hours and night , is full of life . A thermometer is essential so you may check your gecko ’s home ground regularly . At night , the armoured combat vehicle should be in the 70s Fahrenheit , rising to 80 - 85 Fahrenheit during the 24-hour interval . you’re able to accomplish the ideal temperature with a pitch-black hotness lamp ( it does n’t breathe lightsome ) or a crimson lamp set on a thermoregulator . In addition , the gecko needs a hotter basking spot during the daytime , set to 88 - 90 Fahrenheit . The aim is to make a temperature gradient across the army tank so the gecko can regulate his body hotness by moving from a cooler to hot seat , or vice versa .
Lighting
gecko are nocturnal and require distinct days and nights to stay healthy . Geckos also register the seasons and prefer a 14 - hour daylight catamenia in summer and a 12 - hr daylight menses in winter . This core is best achieve through the use of timer to keep things consistent if you ’re out at gecko bedtime . Also , geckos dislike bright twinkle so the medulla should be situated above the mesh lid of the tank to avoid the glower stressing the gecko .
Water and Humidity
commit a shallow water sports stadium inside the tank and keep it topped up . This help to keep the humidity layer up , which is significant for good skin wellness . If the humidity grade falls below 20 pct , the gecko may struggle to shed . If this occurs , you could invest a box of moist moss inside the tank . This is an easy way of allowing the gecko to help oneself himself shed . or else , LillReptilessuggests misting your gecko twice a day from a sprayer bottle .
Cleaning the Gecko Tank
Cleanliness is all important to keep on your gecko healthy . Reptile Magazinerecommends touch - clean the tank car on a daily basis , which intend scooping out dope , begrime bedding , or half - wipe out food . In add-on , do a full storage tank clean once a week . bump off everything from the armoured combat vehicle , include the substratum , and replace it with fresh item . Use areptile - dependable disinfectantto clean down the hide , tank piece of furniture , and chicken feed . You do n’t want to interrupt the gecko ’s lifelike sleep pattern , so early even or morning are the best fourth dimension to cleanse .
Feeding Your Gecko
If you do n’t care bug , a gecko is not the pet for you ! gecko eat worm and alizardbanquet would list roaches , crickets , locusts , mealworms , morio insect , and waxworms on the menu . Geckosetsuggests it ’s difficult to overfeed a gecko , although your pet can become obese if he eat too much fatty gecko candy ( i.e. waxworms ) . Feed juvenile gecko every day , but your adult gecko can skip meals and have ' starve ' years . When feeding , volunteer as much food as the gecko can use up in 10 to 15 minutes .
However , it is essential to offer up sound , well - fed worm which means ' gut - loading ' them . Simply pre - feed the bugs on juicy veg or yield , and dust them with Ca powder . As supererogatory policy , it ’s salutary to disperse calcium powder over the bugs before offer them . Then place the catgut - loaded goodies in a shallow dish or saucer and have the gecko dive in . chase after and catching the louse also provides excellent mental stimulation for the gecko .
Gecko Health and Well-being
Fortunately , geckos are generally problematical characters and pleasingly hardy . AsLeopard Geckoexplains , problems that do come are often down to poor agriculture .
Metabolic Bone Disease
When a gecko ’s diet miss calcium , the lounge lizard sponge calcium out of his castanets to meet day-after-day needs . This leads to soft , rubberlike bones that are n’t adequate to of affirm the gecko ’s weightiness . symptom include a gecko that ca n’t raise himself off the earth and has deform arm . bar is better than a curative , which is why it ’s good to feed bowel - loaded louse to your reptile . verify and dust them with calcium before feeding .
Respiratory Disease
When the armored combat vehicle temperature falls too low , the gecko ’s immune system becomes stressed . This imply the gecko is less capable to fight off infections , especially thorax infection . The sign let in a lethargic lounge lizard with a poor appetite and labored breathing . If you notice these symptoms , seek the help of a reptile vet , since antibiotics are necessary . In addition , check the temperature of your tank car to ensure it ’s high enough both night and sidereal day .
Tail Shedding
A frightened gecko may shed their tail as an escape mechanics . The tail does grow back , but it ’s also a storage of avoirdupois for the gecko . Thus , it ’s significant to secure a gecko with a caducous arse is kept at the veracious temperature and is well - fed during the clip it ask the tail to regenerate .
Mental Stimulation
Those new to reptile keeping are often surprised by how much personality these little hombre have . Geckos do enjoy human interaction but recall to meet by gecko rule and handle your sidekick very gently and at dark . While a gecko does n’t need walking like a dog , it is good to pass one - to - one time talking to your favorite and handling him . In gain , capture supper is a big beginning of satisfaction to geckos , along with having a realistic environment to search .
Hygiene and Your Gecko
As theCenter for Disease Controlnotes , you should assume all reptiles carrysalmonellaand act consequently . Be sure to wash your hands before and after handling a gecko and never place the gecko or their equipment near food formulation areas . Obey simple precautions such as hired hand washing , and the risk of a individual acquiring contagion is low . However , those tribe with sapless immune systems ( the very vernal , elderly , or those on chemotherapy ) should be extra cautious and consider whether it is wise to treat a gecko .
Be a Gecko Enthusiast
When you have a go at it how to take care of a gecko , there ’s no understanding why thelizardcan’t know a long and goodly life history , throw you pleasure for years to come . Who have intercourse , perhaps you ’ll become a gecko addict and take up a melody of alone morphs look up to by fellow lounge lizard lover . May your lizards dwell long and thrive .
