Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been a herper for quite some time now, and I keep many different types of animals. I recenty found myself checking the gecko pics in the gallery, and I am quite impressed by their colors. From what I've read so far, it seems that they have similiar care requirements to chameleons. I have alot more homework to do on these guys before I purchase one. Does anyone in here keep chameleons? I'd like to know what are the differences in care that are not so obvious.

Thanks.

Vince

i thought chameleons are high humidity?
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0.1 "Tremper" looking Albino Leopard gecko (Lex)
0.0.1 normal ball python (felix)
1.1 Feral cats that we adopted (Fuzzy, and Bear)

Thats rather funny......i'm a leo owner whose been looking at maybe getting a chameleon LOL. I haven't done extensive reasearch yet, still trying to get my gecko room organized (did a move from one room to another). There are many people around who can help you out as well as many good caresheets online.

I myself, have 14 geckos (11 leos, 3 crested geckos). They are all in tanks ranging from 10 &15 (quarentine tanks) to 20 and 40 gallons. I use ceramic tiles as substrate, feed mealworms, butterworms and superworms from bowls in the evenings, use under tank heaters for heat, occationally using lamps, mainly during the winter. Each gecko has a humid hide (tupperware, sour cream, margerine container) with either a hole in the side or top, filled with vermiculite. Top hole works best to keep the vermiculite in the container hehe. I have a dish of calcium in each tank as well as logs, rocks, caves, artifical plants, and hammocks for decor.

I hope this helps you out a bit. By all means ask if you have specific questions....there are so many wonderful people on here i'm sure you'll get the help you need

Red
P.S. this is my female hypo Dot and my crested gecko Zeek.

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Crested Gecko Zeek:1.0, Ziggy and Zeus
LEOS: Boo: 1.0 normal , Bronx & Nala: 1.1 blizzard,
Lily: 0.1 patternless, Abby: 0.1 albino, Zoe: 0.1 reduced pattern, Dot: 0.1 hypo
New Girls: Flame, Karma, Bubbles and Bell pics coming soon
Chip: 1.0 papillion (small dog)

Do not use vermiculite, I been studting about them in Leopard Geckos and they eat them and get impacted. I highly Reccomds to use Moss and Peat Moss
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Preston Berry
www.freewebs.com/coolgeckoUnder Construction
restonberry@austin.rr.com" target="_blank">Prestonberry@austin.rr.com

I got an email from temper today saying how vermiculite is bad...

"Hi
Well the 2004 breeding season is upon us and many folks ask me what to use
in the laying/hide box.
I use Potting Soil or Peat Moss. Both are lighter than sand or earth and hold
moisture well.
DO NOT use Vermiculite........most geckos eat this and can easily get impacted!

Have a great year,
Ron Tremper
www.leopardgecko.com

(more Care Tips will be sent out from time-to-time. If you would like to stop
receiving these updates just type REMOVE on the subject line.)"

Everyones opinion is going to be different, but from my experience with Peat Moss, i'd rather take my chances with vermiculite. I lost Jake, my second leo, to him eating that. So far with the vermiculite i haven't had any trouble. With ANY loose substrate theres a chance of impaction and i've talked with many people who use vermiculite and haven't had a problem. I feel that no matter what i use theres going to be someone whose going to say thats bad. Its frustrating to say the least. I appreciate the concern and don't mean to sound crabby about it, i've just got to use something and this is what was recommended and seems to be working well.

Red

>>Do not use vermiculite, I been studting about them in Leopard Geckos and they eat them and get impacted. I highly Reccomds to use Moss and Peat Moss
>>-----
>>Preston Berry
>>www.freewebs.com/coolgeckoUnder Construction
>>Prestonberry@austin.rr.com
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Crested Gecko Zeek:1.0, Ziggy and Zeus
LEOS: Boo: 1.0 normal , Bronx & Nala: 1.1 blizzard,
Lily: 0.1 patternless, Abby: 0.1 albino, Zoe: 0.1 reduced pattern, Dot: 0.1 hypo
New Girls: Flame, Karma, Bubbles and Bell pics coming soon
Chip: 1.0 papillion (small dog)

Hi, I own a pair of jackson's, a few cresteds, and a BUNCH of leopard geckos. I keep my Jackson's separately because the female is gravid and I keep my leos and cresteds in plastic containers/racks. IMHO, the leos are easier to take care of than the chams, mainly because the chams need to be misted and they primarily need UV lighting. I'm telling ya, once you get that first leo, your gonna be hooked, I mean hooked! BTW, I love your website and the work you do with the panthers! Keep it up!
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Sal
Geckos "R" Us

www.geckosrus.com

Thank you all so much for your help. And yes, I do realize I'll probably get addicted to them. I know all to well what its like to buy one, then another, then another...........

Another reason why I'm considering them is because of their diet. Their food and supplementation seem to be the same. I have alot more reading to do, and I'm sure I'll be on this forum asking lots of questions.

Again, thanks for taking the time to answer my post.

Vincent.