Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Could I just have more clarification on the communal housing thing...and bear in mind..I ask this with all respect.

My male and two females do everthing together...shed, humid hide...cooler hide....eat. There has never been discordance between these three. They are all proportionately gaining weight...(one was on the thin side...now she is fattening up).

They live in a 40 gallon tank -36.5 x 16. Humid hide/egg box, cool hide and medium hide. I have slab rock so they can climb around and exercise which they do. eurologic

Aren't these social animals? (as far as reptiels are social). The male is protective of the girls..(one girl enjoys - or seems to enjoy- coming out on an outstretched hand) and he gets in a defensive posture...

Why would this situation deterioate? What good could come from putting in them in smaller enclosures when there is no apparent problem......?

again, I am new...very humble......but I do not see the logic in splitting them up if it is cohesive and working and they appear content.
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1.1 Cats -Siamese Emma, Asian Leopard Cat Hau-Li
2.2.Horses - Percheron Girls - Colea and Ivy - Thoroughbred Machine to Tower and my beloved Brilliant Display (Rainbow Bridge)
2.1 Leopard Geckos -Gamarrah, Gabera and Monster Zero
1.0 Miniature Goat - Betty
1.0 Dog - Bess
1.0 African Grey - Molly

I think you know the answer and you're just trying to start an argument saying yours won't ever turn on eachother or the male won't stress out the females.

Actually, I am just looking for information/facts. I AM new to this, I have set up my system based on other leo owners information...but I do not know everything. I also assumed this is a non-adversarial forum where the pros help the newbies (like the chameleon forum).

No, I am not trying to "start an argument", just looking for additional facts, information, and people's experiences.
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1.1 Cats -Siamese Emma, Asian Leopard Cat Hau-Li
2.2.Horses - Percheron Girls - Colea and Ivy - Thoroughbred Machine to Tower and my beloved Brilliant Display (Rainbow Bridge)
2.1 Leopard Geckos -Gamarrah, Gabera and Monster Zero
1.0 Miniature Goat - Betty
1.0 Dog - Bess
1.0 African Grey - Molly

Lastly, I have raised horses and chameleons for many many years...and I still learn new things/methods etc every day.
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1.1 Cats -Siamese Emma, Asian Leopard Cat Hau-Li
2.2.Horses - Percheron Girls - Colea and Ivy - Thoroughbred Machine to Tower and my beloved Brilliant Display (Rainbow Bridge)
2.1 Leopard Geckos -Gamarrah, Gabera and Monster Zero
1.0 Miniature Goat - Betty
1.0 Dog - Bess
1.0 African Grey - Molly

I would recommend splitting them up because some-times the males become so concerned with breeding they forget to eat. Not only this the females become stressed real easily and this leads to fights. My very first pair of geckos got into a fight after spending a year or so in the cage together. It's better to be safe than sorry, now that I know better I would never do it again. Sometimes when you notice a problem its already too late to take action and it takes alot out of your rehab them when it could have been prevented.
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we're here because a hobby became an obsession... if only every one had this much fun

some days your the dog, some days your the hydrant...don't know who started this saying but it's the truth

Thank you. That puts things in a different perspective...
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1.1 Cats -Siamese Emma, Asian Leopard Cat Hau-Li
2.2.Horses - Percheron Girls - Colea and Ivy - Thoroughbred Machine to Tower and my beloved Brilliant Display (Rainbow Bridge)
2.1 Leopard Geckos -Gamarrah, Gabera and Monster Zero
1.0 Miniature Goat - Betty
1.0 Dog - Bess
1.0 African Grey - Molly

please excuse the errors in my message I didnt proof read but im sure you got the overall message. Poor sleep is kicking my butt... I see in your signature that you have an african grey...congo or timneh? cool birds my grandpa has a timneh and it has the coolest whistles... i have a goffin cocktoo (demanding little bird lol)
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we're here because a hobby became an obsession... if only every one had this much fun

some days your the dog, some days your the hydrant...don't know who started this saying but it's the truth

okay, i am mostly writing this message because you metioned horses and i just uploaded these pics of my girl so i couldnt resist. i am also writing just to through in so of my own personal advice.

i house all my geckos seperatly, i use to have them in small colonies. i had some who lived alone for a while and then i decided to intoduce them to others to mate. the mating took place and all that worked but i noticed my males and females were just starting to look ugly. i also noticed that many had stopped eating. i actually waited probably arround 2 months or even more, nothing improved.... so i made a rack system so they could all be seperate. some of them hadnt eaten for months and once they were alone started eating 10+ crickets a day. needless to say they are all a lot more healthy but i still strugly with some trying to get them to eat. i have been strugling probably over 3-4 months now and just starting to see some improvment with the lagers. however i have many of my own beautiful babies now that i have raised from eggs and it is great.
geckos also are not social animals no matter how much they seem to enjoy the companie, they have private territories in the wild and do not live or sleep with each other.

so now to get to my point here is cherokee my biggest gecko of all. haha i know im a dork.

ya i guess i cant spell either lol, let alone use the right words. its past my bedtime too. i just thought id post some pix of my geckos too.

First of all, your male is not defending the females.... Ok now that I got that out of the way Leos wll always do better individualy.... It reduces stress levels and you can monitor food intake....
But do what is working for you.... If you see that they are doing ok set up in a communal tank, leave them that way.... The minute you see any weight loss, slowed feeding, or fighting, you better start buying more cages....

Also, what are you going to do once the male breeds the females??? Do you have an incubator.... Do you have a way to house the hatchlings seperately (hatchlings have to be housed individualy)??? Do you have a way to sell all the hatchlings???
If you are not well known, you may have a hard time selling them especially if you are not working with a sort after morph...

Greg is correct, The way I do things with all reptiles is this
(I am fairly new to breeding geckos) But have owned them for years. What works for you and them is the way I do it. If I notice any problems I find out who is causing them and seperate. If its for breeding I keep the male there for a couple weeks and then rest him. So he will get the girls out of his mind and eat and stay healthy. But some of my females live together and do great! Then I have one female that likes to bit the other females so she lives by herself. Mine are in a rack system and also is boa caging. But all will be going to rack systems once I get more racks. Even if I house two or three females together. Now I also want to point out that in other reptiles there is fast rules that most go by and I agree with most but in Beardies, I have two sets of males that have lived together without problems. Is it right, well not according to the fast rules because dragon males fight but my two sets don't so right now they live together because they can, If I notice a problem then guess what, they will get their own cage. Its that simple. Do what is working for you and them and then if you see a problem seperate. Just like the sand rule, Oh people say how bad it is, and yes some animals can and do get impactions but my beardies( except for young babies) live in sand( not calisand or any of the stuff you get at a Pet store) But Play sand! ANd I have NEVER had a problem! My geckos do not live on sand although they did years ago without problems. But I chose to not let the geckos on sand because they are easier to clean on Paper towels. Now my dragons have such big cages and I have over 25 beardies so It would be a small fortune to house them on paper towels because I clean everyday( and they have BIG poops!!!) So as you can see the best way to be is use your best judgement and see how your geckos do together and then if problems occur its time to seperate. I know they will be people out there that might disagree. But we do what works and as long as the gecko or reptile is doing good, there is no need for change unless you forsee a problem or have a preference. Don't let people jump on you for asking a question. It may be a stupid question to them but Not to you so do not take it personal. I didn't see you trying to cause an agrument so just take what info you get and do what feels right for you. This is my two cents on the subject(s) and I hope it helps you. Good Luck. Deb

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Beardies: 8.13

Pyro-Red Flaming Tiger x Orange German Giant Male
Kai-GG x Orange GG Male
Skyla-GG x GG Pastel Female
Voodoo-Yellow Red Desert Male
Banshee-Orange Sandfire Female
Puff-Citrus x Red/Orange Sandfire Male
Cera-Citrus x Sunburst Female
Moon-Hypo x Snow Female
Jewel-Yellow Sandfire x Orange Sandfire- Female
Ace-Sundial Coral x Snow Male
Sundra-Sunrise x Red/Gold Sandfire Female
Nitro(Stubbs)-GG x GG Pastel- Male Juvy
Rainbow-GG x GG Pastel Female Juvy
Ember-GG Orange x GG Pastel Male Juvy
Wicket-Sundial Coral x Snow Male
Sedona-Blood x Red/Orange Sandfire Female
Seven-GG Orange x GG Pastel Female Juvy
Flame-GG Orange x GG Pastel Female Juvy
Cinder-GG Orange x GG Pastel Female Juvy
Kiowa-GG Orange x GG Pastel Female Juvy
Echo-GG Orange x GG Pastel Female Juvy

Leopard Geckos 6.17

Blossom- Patternless Female(Animal Dreams)
Blaze- Jungle Bandit Female (Bruckman's Reptiles)
Bonzai-High yellow Jungle Leo Male Juvy(Bruckman's Reptiles)
Basil-High Yellow Jungle Leo Female Juvy(Bruckman's)
Ebony-Dark Phase Normal Female
Snowflake-Ghost/Pastel Female
Twister-HQ Red Stripe Leo Male
Swayze-HQ Red Stripe Bold Jungle Leo Female(Hot Geckos)
Eclipse-HQ Red Stripe Bold Jungle Leo Female(Hot Geckos)
Ayesha-Outcross JMG x HQ Red Stripe Female(Hot Geckos)
Solar-High Yellow Leo Male
Sunspot-High Yellow Leo Female Juvy( Bruckman's Reptiles)
Phoenix-Super Hypo Tang Carrot Tail Baldy Male (Hot Geckos)
Cajun-Super Hypo Tang Baldy Leo Female(Hot Geckos)
Calypso-Super Hypo Leo Female
Bijou- Super Hypo Tang Carrot Tail Female( Pro Geckos)
Inca- Super Hypo Tang Female (Pro Geckos)
India- Super Hypo Tang Female(Pro Geckos)
Arwen-Rainwater( LV)Jungle Albino Leo Male (Hot Geckos)
Aries-Rainwater(LV) Banded Albino Leo Female (Hot Geckos)
Ice-Blizzard Leo Female Juvy (Bruckman's Reptiles)
Winter-Blizzard Leo Female Juvy (Bruckman's Reptiles
Shiver-Banana Blizzard Leo Male Juvy (Bruckman's Reptiles)

Tortoises 2.3

Velvet-Leopard Tortoise baby poss male
Marley-Sulcata Baby poss female
Sammy-Red Foot Female
Isis-Red Foot Female
Jade-Red Foot probable male

4.3 Ball Pythons

Stripe Male 05
Black Back Female 05
Het Pied Male 05
Axanthic Female 03
Reduced with Blushing Female 03
Chocolate Reduced Male 04
Banded Male 04

Tarantula's

1.0 Chaco Golden Knee Tarantula(my husband's)Baby
1.2 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula(my husband's)Babies
1.0 Curly Hair Tarantula(my husband's)Baby

Other Pets:

11.13 Manx Cats
Too many to name here (Adults and Kittens)
2.1 German Shepherds
Danzig(Red Sable)male Search and Rescue Tracking
Sakotah(Black Sable)Male Pup ( Dan/Onyx Pup)
Onyx( Black) Female SAR Air/Ground Scent retired
1.0 Hedgehog-White Wicca
0.1 Giant White New Zealand Rescue Rabbit- Callie
2.2 Chinchilla's-Breezy, Stormy Nights, Myst, Black Velvet
0.1 Eastern Gray Squrriel-Paws (Squrrielee-o)
0.1 Ferret-Jumanji
Mice, Hammies and Rats

I agree but I disagree, let me explain. Yes I agree with what you just said about doing what works for you. I'm not disputing that we should enjoy our animals but we are also looking at this post as experienced keepers. If this is a new keeper how will they know the warning signs that alot of us have learned the hard way? Keeping this in mind. When a male gecko goes off feed and is in die hard breeding mode... is it not frustrating monitoring the animal waiting for signs of rehab? I rather take the safe approach when it comes to this IMO. By all means you could luck out and be sucessful but I think we all need to learn the species before you go the trial and error route. I have worked with exotic fish for years and mixed species every one said I couldnt. Yes it worked but there are so many environmental and husbandary factors when one thing goes wrong everything goes wrong. Just adding the down side for analysis.
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we're here because a hobby became an obsession... if only every one had this much fun

some days your the dog, some days your the hydrant...don't know who started this saying but it's the truth

Yes if she/he is inexperienced then by all means learn all you can about the type of reptile you are dealing with. Watch carefully how the interact and if you notice anything causing stress off feed ect then you must seperate. Sure there are many out there who just don't pay as much close attention until its so noticable the animal has lost weight they are going down here. But most will use better judgment in this. Of course when in doubt do what other successful breeders/owners are doing and you should be OK. But if after you have a good idea what you are doing and want to try for a colony then go for you but pay close attention and I mean close attention to each animals food/water intake weight and phyiscal condition. I thought that was a given with anyone wanting to learn as much as they can but I guess its always best to spell it out. Thanks for bringing that part up. Deb

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Beardies: 8.13

Pyro-Red Flaming Tiger x Orange German Giant Male
Kai-GG x Orange GG Male
Skyla-GG x GG Pastel Female
Voodoo-Yellow Red Desert Male
Banshee-Orange Sandfire Female
Puff-Citrus x Red/Orange Sandfire Male
Cera-Citrus x Sunburst Female
Moon-Hypo x Snow Female
Jewel-Yellow Sandfire x Orange Sandfire- Female
Ace-Sundial Coral x Snow Male
Sundra-Sunrise x Red/Gold Sandfire Female
Nitro(Stubbs)-GG x GG Pastel- Male Juvy
Rainbow-GG x GG Pastel Female Juvy
Ember-GG Orange x GG Pastel Male Juvy
Wicket-Sundial Coral x Snow Male
Sedona-Blood x Red/Orange Sandfire Female
Seven-GG Orange x GG Pastel Female Juvy
Flame-GG Orange x GG Pastel Female Juvy
Cinder-GG Orange x GG Pastel Female Juvy
Kiowa-GG Orange x GG Pastel Female Juvy
Echo-GG Orange x GG Pastel Female Juvy

Leopard Geckos 6.17

Blossom- Patternless Female(Animal Dreams)
Blaze- Jungle Bandit Female (Bruckman's Reptiles)
Bonzai-High yellow Jungle Leo Male Juvy(Bruckman's Reptiles)
Basil-High Yellow Jungle Leo Female Juvy(Bruckman's)
Ebony-Dark Phase Normal Female
Snowflake-Ghost/Pastel Female
Twister-HQ Red Stripe Leo Male
Swayze-HQ Red Stripe Bold Jungle Leo Female(Hot Geckos)
Eclipse-HQ Red Stripe Bold Jungle Leo Female(Hot Geckos)
Ayesha-Outcross JMG x HQ Red Stripe Female(Hot Geckos)
Solar-High Yellow Leo Male
Sunspot-High Yellow Leo Female Juvy( Bruckman's Reptiles)
Phoenix-Super Hypo Tang Carrot Tail Baldy Male (Hot Geckos)
Cajun-Super Hypo Tang Baldy Leo Female(Hot Geckos)
Calypso-Super Hypo Leo Female
Bijou- Super Hypo Tang Carrot Tail Female( Pro Geckos)
Inca- Super Hypo Tang Female (Pro Geckos)
India- Super Hypo Tang Female(Pro Geckos)
Arwen-Rainwater( LV)Jungle Albino Leo Male (Hot Geckos)
Aries-Rainwater(LV) Banded Albino Leo Female (Hot Geckos)
Ice-Blizzard Leo Female Juvy (Bruckman's Reptiles)
Winter-Blizzard Leo Female Juvy (Bruckman's Reptiles
Shiver-Banana Blizzard Leo Male Juvy (Bruckman's Reptiles)

Tortoises 2.3

Velvet-Leopard Tortoise baby poss male
Marley-Sulcata Baby poss female
Sammy-Red Foot Female
Isis-Red Foot Female
Jade-Red Foot probable male

4.3 Ball Pythons

Stripe Male 05
Black Back Female 05
Het Pied Male 05
Axanthic Female 03
Reduced with Blushing Female 03
Chocolate Reduced Male 04
Banded Male 04

Tarantula's

1.0 Chaco Golden Knee Tarantula(my husband's)Baby
1.2 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula(my husband's)Babies
1.0 Curly Hair Tarantula(my husband's)Baby

Other Pets:

11.13 Manx Cats
Too many to name here (Adults and Kittens)
2.1 German Shepherds
Danzig(Red Sable)male Search and Rescue Tracking
Sakotah(Black Sable)Male Pup ( Dan/Onyx Pup)
Onyx( Black) Female SAR Air/Ground Scent retired
1.0 Hedgehog-White Wicca
0.1 Giant White New Zealand Rescue Rabbit- Callie
2.2 Chinchilla's-Breezy, Stormy Nights, Myst, Black Velvet
0.1 Eastern Gray Squrriel-Paws (Squrrielee-o)
0.1 Ferret-Jumanji
Mice, Hammies and Rats

I'd be willing to buy one, provided the price was right. What area are you in?

Thank you all for taking the time to offer your suggestions/experiences!! It is much appreciated!!

To just answer a few questions...I am new to Leopard Geckos but am also an experienced Panther Chameleon breeder. Talk about labor intensive reptiles!!! Presently, I have a SUPER HYPO TANGERINE CARROT-TAIL female who is outstanding, a male Sunglow Tangerine Tremper Albino who is also gorgeous, and another female that is a Tremper albino (beautiful too). I moniter them individually and daily (weight etc). Right now everyone is putting on weight, getting along, eating well.....communally sleeping. With all this wonderful advice, as well as from the original breeders of the new members of my family, I will take all your advice and experience to heart.

Again...thank you for taking the time to help me out!!!
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1.1 Cats -Siamese Emma, Asian Leopard Cat Hau-Li
2.2.Horses - Percheron Girls - Colea and Ivy - Thoroughbred Machine to Tower and my beloved Brilliant Display (Rainbow Bridge)
2.1 Leopard Geckos -Gamarrah, Gabera and Monster Zero
1.0 Miniature Goat - Betty
1.0 Dog - Bess
1.0 African Grey - Molly

One last thing you may want to think about. Mateing can get pretty rough. Females commonly get beat up a bit.