Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Whats up everyone, i just bought a Leo Gecko today, and i have a few important questions. Im using a large plastic container, with paper towels and that brings me to my first question.
1.) Is it okay to use paper towel instead of sand or carpet?

My second question revovles over a heat source, Right know i am using a heat pad, so my question is...
2.) Is it okay to use a heat pad, and what temperature does it need to be at, and also, does it need to be on all day?

3.)Thirdly, I am using a large container to hold the water for the leo gecko to drink, but i have read that a small dense container is recommended, is this correct?

4.)My Cage or (large plastic container) contains two shelters for the gecko, one is a medium dark box for the gecko to sleep, the other is a humidity box, which isn't dark but is covered by moist paper towels...My question is should i just have one box with moist papertowels or use the two boxes as is right know?

5.) Last question, should i have some kind of grass or plants inside the cage for the gecko?

I would greatly appreciate anyones advice, and if i am doing something wrong in terms of handling my gecko, feel free to tell me! THank you to all who have answered my questions!

Very Quickly:
1.) Is it okay to use paper towel instead of sand or carpet?
More than OK, in fact many people only use that as their substrate, no impaction and no toes get stuck in it.

2.) Is it okay to use a heat pad, and what temperature does it need to be at, and also, does it need to be on all day?
It's ok, use a headpad and GET A THERMOSTAT!!! I've seen too many burned animals on posts and websites to even suggest using one without it. Even if the temp doesn't get very high, the possibility of a short is too much to risk.

3.)Thirdly, I am using a large container to hold the water for the leo gecko to drink, but i have read that a small dense container is recommended, is this correct?

Either way, small one keeps the cricekts from jumping in it, and the leo has more floor space.

4.)My Cage or (large plastic container) contains two shelters for the gecko, one is a medium dark box for the gecko to sleep, the other is a humidity box, which isn't dark but is covered by moist paper towels...My question is should i just have one box with moist papertowels or use the two boxes as is right know?
As is. One hide per leo 1 is usually my rule, and definitly needs the humid hide.

5.) Last question, should i have some kind of grass or plants inside the cage for the gecko?
Net necessary, but if you are looking at it everyday go ahead and add some fake stuff. Some people use real plants but watch what you use so it's not poisonous and make sure all the crickets don't hide so the leo can't see them.

That should do it for now, Most of these are answered in detail somewhere in the forums, and you can search for more detail if you want it =).
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Brian Skibinski
Milwaukee Reptiles

absolutly, most breeders use papertowls. yes, the aveage temp should be about 80 degrees. they only really need a small dish for water. moss is good to use in humid hides. i have 2 hides in all my cages one humid and one cave. no you dont need any kinda of plant. if you want u can use aloe or phothos.
any thing else?
nevin
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1.1 brazilian rainbow baos-peace&chaos (rip sunshine)
2.1 leopard geckos-killer, narvana, sallean,
1.1 blizzerd lizzard-grim & marical
.1 bell leopard gecko-ecstacy
.1 tremper leopard gecko-euphoria
.2. amazon tree boas-sweetness&carnage
0.1.0 kenyan sand boa-stimpy R.I.P.
0.1.0 bearded dragon-blaze
1.0.0 uromastyx-chubby
2.0 brothers
0.2 sisters
3 cats-fat max, spiderman, &toby
1 miniture mutt-brutis

"dont be afraid to die, only be afraid to not live"

"dont become classified. if you are nothing, then you can be anything."

Yeah.. they should have access to a spot where "belly heat" is around 90 or so degrees to aid in digestion. between 88 and 90 degrees on the surface of the "basking area" helps them digest properly. All my geckos have access to temps between 76 and 92
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Lucien

1.1 Columbian Redtail Boa (BCI)(Sutekh and Isis)
2.1.1 Leopard geckos (2 Blizzards (Caine and Goliath), 1 Tangerine Albino (Tequila Sunrise ...Tiki for short) and 1 dbl. het blizzard x tang albino (Malice))
0.1 Savannah Monitor (Kiros)
13 rats
1 Gerbil
2 Dogs (Loki and Storm)
2 cats (Sahara and Hercules)