Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This kid in one of my classes was talking about his leopard gecko. he said he couldn't wait till it died. He went on and on about how he throws it against the wall, and about how he lets it loose in his house, but I tried not to listen to keep from crying(I get angry easily when people mistreat their reptiles, and I cry when I'm angry) Anyway, I'm going to ask him to give it to me because he dosn't seem to care about it anyway and I have dozens of reptiles, so I can pretty much figure out the basics. He's a jerk though so he'll probably make me buy it from him. Anyway, I've never had a leo, so please give me some info, I plan on doing tons of research, but this is what I know about them already:
feed crickets with Ca powder, other insects, mealworms, etc. 10 gallon tank, hot spot in upper 80s? I'm not sure if they need misted. please respond quickly. If he's willing to give it to me, I'd like to get it as soon as possible. So please, if you beleive in God pray that he'll give it to me and that it will live. poor little thing, some people make me so angry. tear.
T-spoon

I don't know what age we are talking here, but he should be reported to the police/ASPCA and then they should refer him to a psychologist. If he is sub 18, he has a mental illness, which left untreated, can result in murderers. This is also have the animal seized and brought to the appropriate rescue facility in your area, usually you can ask to be the first in line to adopt it then. The problem here is really more this person than the animal right now, although I deeply feel your pain.

If you want to read up on Leo care, may I suggest you pick up a copy of "The Leopard Gecko Manual" it is every where and usually less than $5; you know it is a good book if even us "old timers" check through it once in a while. It will give you better details than I can over this forum, there is a lot to know, but most of it is very easy.
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0.1 Albino Leo Gecko
0.1 Crested Gecko
1.0 Dear Boyfriend
Departed: Harvey and Spock

I talked to the boy with the gecko. Turns out he does like his gecko, he said that they were friends. I offered to buy it from him but he said he and his gecko were buddies. I told him that from what he had said, it had sounded like he abuses his gecko, but he said it wasn't true. I assume he only said those things to make his friends think he was "tough". Well congradulations to him, his "friends" think he is a tough guy, and the rest of the world thinks he's a jerk.

It still probably should be brought up to the school counselor. A child making up stories of that nature is not normal psychological development and can be a sign of problems at home. He may even have had thoughts of doing those things, hence the ideas and the details to tell his friends, because of stress or mental illness. I'm totally serious about this, kids don't brag about hurting animals unless they are in a group with at least one disturbed individual.

Still, good for you for talking to the boy and trying to help.
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0.1 Albino Leo Gecko
0.1 Crested Gecko
1.0 Dear Boyfriend
Departed: Harvey and Spock

I definately agree with you about there being atleast one disturbed individual in the group. In fact, the kid's two friends were selling prescription drugs in class the other day. I e-mailed the principal. High-school is a terrible place; I wish I could home-school myself.

Yeah, the best thing I can tell you about that is there are two types of people I have found in this world. Those that miss high school and those that ran screaming from it (Some of us a year early, thank you loop holes!) Guess who has more fun in college?

Hang in there, we all make it through, just try to keep your sanity in the meantime. At least now, no matter what happens, you can say you did what you could and then some. That counts for a lot and shows a good character growing withing you.

Good luck and take care.
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0.1 Albino Leo Gecko
0.1 Crested Gecko
1.0 Dear Boyfriend
Departed: Harvey and Spock

I'm pretty sure I meant "within you"... I'm not sure what a "withing" is, but I'm guessing I don't want to meet one in a dark alley... ah, maybe some of us have been out of school too long.
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0.1 Albino Leo Gecko
0.1 Crested Gecko
1.0 Dear Boyfriend
Departed: Harvey and Spock

Ok firstly i dont want to start and argument here but to say that this guy is gonna turn into a murderer just because he talks tough to his friends is a bit extreme dont you think. Now im not a kid (im 33) but im suspecting that T-Spoon is only a young adult but your view sleepygecko is a bit to much to say the least. Most kids in a group have 1 or 2 that talk tough but lets be honest thats all it is....talk. Im not saying that if he thought that the guy was mistreating his Leo that he shouldnt report it i just think you got very deep with the subject. I am not anti american (Im Irish and travel to the US at least 3 times a year and love it) but this seems to be a typical response from within your country to an incident like this. The guy was bigging it up to his mate thats all. I have had some great advice from you (Sleepy) in the past for my Leo but i feel that subjects like the one you got into should be left aside.

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I'm sorry you felt such a strong reaction to my comments above, but the fact of the matter is, study after study have proven that children that abuse animals (or have thoughts of it, or are in a group that accepts it) after reaching an age of knowing basic right and wrong are more often than not having psychological difficulties. Could be anything from stress at school or a poor home live, even just genetic depression, but it is a sign. I do not believe I said this person HAS to turn into an axe murderer as you suggested, but left untreated stress needs an outlet. Some turn on themselves (cutters) some turn on others (abusers) if they don't get help.

I'm not sure what at all my country has to do with it, but being a domestic abuse survivor myself (barely), and having worked with agencies and read the scientific journals (because I'm a geek) animal abuse is one of the easiest signs to spot in a young adult that needs help. No teenage boy is going to come out and say, "Hey mom my life sucks, I'm depressed and need therapy" so I just went with what the young gentleman Teaspoon reported. He wanted to help the animal, but sometimes, you need to help the owner too so that it doesn't happen again with the next pet.

Anyways, just a bit deeper into my logic. Sure, I may be overreacting to this specific situation, but what else do I have to go by? Is there any other incidents? Probably. I would rather have the kid spend an hour at a therapist and get an all clear than ignore it and get worse then have the possibility of hurting himself or others.

I do not mean in any way to offend and I am not completely sure how I could. But, as this is the internet, we are free to disagree, I hope you can better understand why I said what I did, as I accept that what I said could be seen as overreacting given what limited information we have.
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0.1 Albino Leo Gecko
0.1 Crested Gecko
1.0 Dear Boyfriend
Departed: Harvey and Spock

If anyone should be offended here it should be Americans by your stereotypical comment. I am sure there are plenty of Irish people out there who "act" tough as well. This doesnt just occur in the USA. I know I didnt appreciate this line from your side. Sleepy stated his opinion on the matter and so be it. Take it or leave it, he wasnt trying to sell his belief to anyone. Not sure how this could get so far off topic just because of differences in ethnicity.