Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

My name is Riley and I'm 11 years old. I've had a king snake for three years, and I help my mom take of our other 5 snakes. I want to get a leopard gecko, but my mom won't let me get one until I do a lot of research on taking care of them. Can you recommend some good books and websites?

Thank You

P.S. Hi, this is Jeannie, Riley's mom. He doesn't have a login name, so I put this under my name. Hope you don't mind.
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Jeannie

0.0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
0.0.1 Hermann's Tortoise
2.0 DSH Cats
1.0 English Springer Spaniel
2.0 Kids
1.0 Husband

Hey, and welcome to the forum. Sounds like you have some experience with reptiles, so leos will be a blast. Leos are probably one of the hardiest geckos, and live long lives if proper care is given. A good web site to visit would definately be drgecko.com, and a good book is the leo manual, which has pretty much everything. You can also visit your library, they should have some books on leos. What I did when I was researching is go to google.ca or yahoo.com and search leopard gecko care. Some care sheets say different things so come here if you need anything cleared up. Good luck,
Mac

The Leopard Gecko Manual is pretty helpful. I also like another book, I forgot the name but it's by Hunziker, because it has big pictures and explains things in a simple manner.

geckonetwork.com was pretty helpful

I DIDN'T like the Leopard Gecko and Fat-Tailed Gecko book (the really thin one).
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Lovin' would be easy if your colors were like my dreams...

there are two really great books about leopard gecko care that i know of, The Leopard Gecko Manual as well as The Leopard Gecko (part of a Pet Care series).
even better is this forum right here. just ask any questions you may have and we would be delighted to answer them as best as we can. a great website to checkout is dr. gecko too.

Cleo

Dr. Gecko

Riley I would recommend the "Leopard Gecko Manual" and asking alot of questions on here. Very good choice in pets (besides snakes LOL). I am sure if you need any help that book and the friends here can help you through anything that you may come across.
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Even if your on the right track you will get run over if you just sit there
20 leos,1.1 redtail boas,1.1 rainbow boas,1.1 cornsnakes, 1.0 tokay gecko,1.0 veiled cham, 5 dogs and a cat. Oh, can't forget Tater my parrolet.

np
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Riley
(11 years old)

0.0.1 California King Snake

Personal note.. its nice to see another young reptile keeper posting here for information. And I cross my finger this young man doesn't go the same way as our loved MacAurther! (sp)

Anyways I to used to keeps Kingsnakes when I was about your age and I find the care or at least the setup very similar.

--Setup--
Both prefer arrid climates with a humid hide from time to time to help with sheding. Although since I have a mating trip of Leos its always in their viv. Both Leo and King are to be kept at more or less the same temperature. Make sure you have a few hides at the warm and cool end as you do with snakes so they can regulate their body temps. I have housed both my leos and kings on a substance called coral sand. Its quite a course sand. I have never had any problems with impactation with leos in the years I have had them. I'm not saying it won't happen but that my view on the substrate thing.

--Feeding--
Feeding an leo requires a little more work than a Kingsnake due to the frequency of feeding. (2-3 times a week for adults) I fed mine Adults Locuts to start with and then moved over to Mealworms as they are easier to keep alive and tend to last longer.. and are easier to handle etc. Dust the insects with a calcium/vitamin powder. Also giving an adult leo a pinkey every so often will help with their calcium levels. Most kings eat prey with bones so they have a constant source of calcium although it never ever hurts to give them alittle more.
Water needs... same as the King fresh bowl full every other day or so.

--Lighting--
Leos are nocturnal so they do not need a UV light of any type but a normal light bulb to provide a day/night cycle would be great.. unless they are located in a room with a window.

--Heating--
an under tank heat mat would be best for a leo as they like belly heat. The hot end should be in the mid to high 80s while the cool should be in the mid 70s-80s. Mine spend most of their time at the cool end at about 70f during the day and then move about during the night.

This is the basics of keeping a leo I hope it helps some. This is an excellent care sheet for leopard geckos and covers more or less every aspect of their life cycle.

http://www.thegeckospot.com/behaviourindex.html

Keep us updated on how it going.

Regards Jil

I just wanted to assure you all that Riley will not "go the way of MacArthur." I realize from lurking on this forum that he (MacArthur) has caused a lot of you quite a bit of aggravation! Because of his age (he is 11.5), Riley is not allowed to be on the internet without supervision, and I go over his messages with him before he posts them. Manners and behavior in kids his age go hand and hand with parental supervision and expectation. I expect Riley to be courteous and well-behaved, and people tell me he is, so...I wouldn't expect any "MacArthurisms" from him.

Thank you all in advance for the help you give. Riley is very interested in herps and this is a great opportunity for him to learn.
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Jeannie

0.0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
0.0.1 Hermann's Tortoise
2.0 DSH Cats
1.0 English Springer Spaniel
2.0 Kids
1.0 Husband

www.goldengategeckos.com
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danny h.

1.3 leopard geckos