Reptile & Amphibian Forums

is having a screen top on my caging necessary?, i dont plan on feeding anything that will hop out of the cage and seeing as leos arent supposed to be able to climb glass and also putting into mind that i wont have any high climbing places, i never thought a screen would be necessary.

other opinions?

thanks

Well, five things to consider, two of which you mentioned.

1.) Prey items getting out.

2.) Gecko climbing on stuff to get out

3.) Gecko "hopping" out... If you haven't seen it they can bounce very far using their hind legs and tail

4.) Something else getting in: other pets like cats, or dangerous "prey" items like we have Asian Lady Beetles that occasionally can enter housing, or as reported here once other people messing with them. (It was a little brother I believe.)

5.) Lights. Some people rest the lights on the screen, others have them just above. For my thoughts, if the people below us turn their bass up any higher the light could shake loose and fall... I'd rather have it fall onto the mesh than directly onto my gecko.

I do know our local store owner keeps hers in large open areas because she loves to interact with them as they all try to climb out as she comes in the room, but has many precautions to prevent all of the above.
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0.1 Albino Leo Gecko
0.1 Crested Gecko
1.0 Dear Boyfriend
Departed: Harvey and Spock

how high do you think that the gecko will be able to bounce?

>>how high do you think that the gecko will be able to bounce?

That depends on the gecko's overall body length - I've seen mine stretch up pretty tall when she wants to. IMO a more important question though, is this: what negatives are there to having a screen top? Why would you not want one? Unless you can come up with some pretty compelling reasons, then the safety benefits outlined by sleepy ought to be enough reason to have one.
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0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko - Tigger
0.1 Crested Gecko - Pooh-Bear

oh i was just really scared that the ventilation wouldnt be enough, in fact i have other fears too and id like some answers to them if possible

http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=1500182,1500182

but back on subject: i have a screen lid and i guess ill use it

>>oh i was just really scared that the ventilation wouldnt be enough, in fact i have other fears too and id like some answers to them if possible
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>>http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=1500182,1500182
>>
>>but back on subject: i have a screen lid and i guess ill use it

A screen top provides a near-zero flow restriction - ventilation is not a problem, and in fact, with some other species like crested geckos that require higher humidity, people sometimes cover part of the screen in order to reduce flow and keep humidity in.

It seems to me that if you stop to think about some of this stuff a bit more carefully, you'll realize that it's not actually problematic. The ventilation thing, for example; I trust you have screens on your windows - does air flow through those screens? Why would the screen top on a terrarium be any different than that?
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0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko - Tigger
0.1 Crested Gecko - Pooh-Bear

thank you for answering this post and that other one, i really want the best possible habitat for my pet and i appreciate you helping me out