Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I moved my little Gaia into a smaller tank today so I would be sure she ate and drank plenty before shipping her to freedom on Wed. Well, she decided on early freedom and got out of the tank. I saw her but she quickly darted under a big chest. I am in an OLD house with lots of places a gecko can get into but I am wondering about enticements after dark? I know they tend to go up so I am hopeful, but experience woud be helpful... Any suggestions???

thanks, lele
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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 house geckos - Gaia & Tia (MIA
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta

At our work I always find geckos hanging out by the heating lights of other tanks. They come out during the day to bask but quickly run when you see them. I would set up an area with a basking light, a 10 gallon with some micro crickets, and a small dish of baby food. Near this I would put a hide box that the gecko would be likely to run into if he saw you. Obviously the box is the trap and you should be able to quickly seal it and capture the gecko. I've never tried this, but I think it might work.

take a huge piece of meat and hang it from a tree branch...put some tension on the branch and then lock and block it with a smaller branch...on the other end of the rope you make a foot snare and when the critter pulls on it the foot snare will....ummm, wait...that's what you do when your lion gets out..ok, for a lizard i would do what the other guy said except maybe cover most of the tank with plastic wrap so when he sees you and panics it will give you a few more seconds to get him...good luck lele

hey, my lion just got loose today - thanks for the tips! LOL!

I have a top on her tank with a little door and have it open just enough for her to get in hoping I can "trap" her. Maybe I should look to see if she went in last night, huh?
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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 house geckos - Gaia & Tia (MIA
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta

Hi,

thanks for the suggestion but I don't think a basking light will help...this is a nocturnal house gecko. However, I will try setting up a hide box for her to go into. I have her tank set on the floor that has crickets, water, plants, etc. in it and hope she goes in looking for food.

Thanks again

lele

>>At our work I always find geckos hanging out by the heating lights of other tanks. They come out during the day to bask but quickly run when you see them. I would set up an area with a basking light, a 10 gallon with some micro crickets, and a small dish of baby food. Near this I would put a hide box that the gecko would be likely to run into if he saw you. Obviously the box is the trap and you should be able to quickly seal it and capture the gecko. I've never tried this, but I think it might work.
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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 house geckos - Gaia & Tia (MIA
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta

Hi Lele,

Sorry to hear your little gecko got loose.
We have about a dozen (maybe more by now) bibron geckos wandering the house. They keep fat on the "spare" loose crickets and other insects (spiders). We also leave water dishes on bookshelves, etc.

I see some of them each evening when shutting down the herp lights. I slowly darken the herp rooms (simulating sunset) and leave a nightlight on (red so the geckos aren't bothered), and that is when I see them scampering across the walls and ceiling.

They are attracted to warm, dark places for sleeping... but I expect there are dozens of spots like that in your house. I have noticed that they don't migrate too much... so concentrate on searching the room she got out in.

Once in a while I see one during the day - but it is going to be at night when you will most likely see her.... Or, you might just pick up something and she runs out from under it and scares you to death. *LOL*

Good luck,

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Try a blacklight bulb instead of a bright one.

When i have an escapee its usually a baby ball.
So i put out several hides(coconut half shells)all of which are under heat light domes with a blackbulb.

Good luck finding the lil bugger

Try setting out a little clear glass bowl with crickets in it. I would try putting it as high as possible. If you have a wall shelf or if you can hang a glass mug from the wall somehow that may work bettter.
Then get a flashlight and go check it several times at night.
The only problem is house geckos are way harder to catch than crsteds so a hide box near it may be the only way to nab her.

one of my friends lost a leo. she thought it was gone forever, then a month later she was cleaning her dresser and found it in her sweater drawer all cuddled up and healthy.
i'm not sure about house geckos though. just leave food out for her and she'll survive, then sooner or later she'll show up.