Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm starting college this year at Rutgers, and I wanted to bring my Leo pair with me when I come back from Winter Break. Their 20gL is a pretty manageable size (I think so anyways), and the fact that I'll still be less than an hour from home should make keeping up with any possible medical care easy, and I already checked for gut-loaded cricket carrying stores nearby.

I just have 2 problems: hiding them and heating them safely. I use an UTH at the moment, but I've heard that human heating pads may or may not be safer in terms of fire hazards and overheating. What's everyone's take on this argument? I'd also have to hide them on occasion, sometimes at short notice. I was actually thinking of building a decoy box to put over the tank just when RA shows up, since I'm on the 3rd floor I'd probably have a little more warning to be able to do this. Maybe a little too elaborate or drastic but I think I'd go nuts without any of my reps nearby
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Danne
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1.0 BRB "Monroe"
1.1 Leos "Bowser & Peach"
0.3 cats "Beast, Smokey & Thelma"
0.4.2 fish

I think you need to consider the consequences when/if you are found out. Will they be taken away? WIll you have to make an emergency trip home to relocate them, or will you have a few days to deal with the situation? Will you get kicked out of the dorms? Do you have a roommate, and if so, have you spoken with them about it? The risks may outweigh the rewards here, and you need to know exactly what the rules are in order to judge them.

If I were you, I'd look into getting an apartment for your next year of school and figure on bringing them with you then. Disclose that you have reptiles when getting the apartment and make sure that's ok. If necessary, get it written into your lease.
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0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko - Tigger
0.1 Crested Gecko - Pooh-Bear

I've already thought about that, if they're found you get a warning (you get a total of 2 before a fine). And of course they aren't going to take them away, I'd be able to get them home within a day or two depending on the time of day in which they were found. I'd definitely never risk losing them for something stupid like that. And my roommate is cool with it as long as she doesn't have to help take care of them or have to deal with any smell.
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Danne
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1.0 BRB "Monroe"
1.1 Leos "Bowser & Peach"
0.3 cats "Beast, Smokey & Thelma"
0.4.2 fish

I have two geckos at school also. My freshman year is when i got them but my RA was cool and let me keep them in plain site. I just had to hide them when i took them home with me on breaks. I would say it would be kind of hard to hide that tank though. Plus if they are in a confined area, then the heat might be double the amount from it being out in an open area.

Haha...I'm in a similar rut over at the University of Tennessee. I currently have two of my baby leos in my dorm with me. We only get one inspection a semester (and it's usually announced a week in advance) so I'm covered. Unless your room is gonna be below 70 degrees, you shouldn't need a heat source. Although, those dorms get pahretty cold in the winter..so I would just use the UTH with a towell underneath it. You could look into a heat bulb (emmits no light, only heat so it can be kept on at night).

that's a pretty good idea with the box, though!

Try getting an old printer and hollowing it out...a 20 long won't fit, but maybe a rubber made container might.

-How do you plan on getting the 20g tank in your dorm and up to your room?

Tou could also try contacting you Ecology and Evolutionary Science department and asking them if you could be allowed to house your reps there (most universities have a herpetologist on staff)....worked for me (but I also work part time down at UT herpetology)

I had my leos with me and my snakes at college and never got caught. Use plastic bins of plastic draws they don"t draw any attention and hold heat extremely well. I always kept them at school I was able to hide an ackie, 3 leos, a 4 foot boa, and three balls, it can be done

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Steve Irwin you changed the way people look at reptiles forever. Crocodile Hunter you will be missed.