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New to geckos. Can you teach an old lady new tricks?

SableLynx Aug 28, 2004 04:22 AM

I have just acquired a pair of leopard geckos who have been tagged with the monicors Mr. Dude and Miz Liz. I had them housed together in a large retile tank 36"L 18"W 17.5"D with vents tooled into the glass and the whole tamale. I have the Claci-sand on the warm end and moist peat moss on the cool end. At first they did great then the male seemed to become impacted and quit eating. I researched on the net and learned that a 15 min warm water soak followed by a 10 min belly rub will help this problem. He was moved into a smaller 10 gal size incloser with paper towel only. After repeating for 3 consecutive days we had a successful and highly aromatic BM. I had a hide box in there for him on the warm end with moist peat moss. He never came out so I took it away and replaced it with a half coconut shell. After these changes he began eating again but will not eat in front of anyone. I check carefully under the papertowel to make sure the crickets and meal worms are actually gone and not just hiding. He had 1 small BM on his own, then nothing for 3 days after which I again soaked and rubbed this time with immediate success. The warmth on the tanks are both around 78 on the cool end. I read that overfeeding can be a cause of impaction so am going to cut back to feeding on Mon, Wed, and Fri. instead of every day. I really am getting attached to Mr. Dude due to all our special one on one time but doubt it is good for him to have to have his belly massaged for every BM. Any suggestions on getting him to "go" on his own?

Replies (4)

mizar 21 Aug 28, 2004 05:52 PM

First get rid of that calci-sand...Second give your gecko a few days rest. Dont feed him for a day or two, then start him slowly on mealies and crix , dont worry if he dont poop every day. Give him a day or two before giving a bath and a rub. gecko dont poop every day, at least mine dont.
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Mizar 21
1.0 Collared lizard (Ganymede)
1.0 Leopard Gecko (Gethsemani)
1.0 Nerodia Fasciata (Serpentard)
1.0 rescued iguana
1.2 Cats

SableLynx Aug 29, 2004 05:27 PM

Thanks Mizar, I did get rid of the sand, this morning before church, there went $10 straight into the trash can. I do wait 3 days of no poops then I will soak and rub daily until I get a result. Before he would not eat either. He is eating now pretty good. Still not as good as Miz. Liz, but now she hasn't pooped for 3 days either. We soaked them both today and Mr. Dude pooped before we even got to a belly rub. No luck on Miz Liz though so will soak her again tomorrow if nothing in cage before then. Do I need to add vitamin supplemant, I do the calcium with D3. Hey what does all that 1.1, 1.2 etc mean next to your list of pets?

lizgirl17 Aug 29, 2004 05:51 PM

I'm glad to hear Mr. Dude is getting better! The 1.1 and 1.2 numbers refer to the amount of each sex of each species. The first number refers to the number of males, the second refers to the number of females, and the third (if there is a third) refers to the nimber of animals where the sex is unknown. For example I have 2.4.11 leopard geckos. That means I have 2 males, 4 females, and 11 that I don't know if they are boy or girl yet. Sorry if its confusing, I'm not good at explaining things! Good luck with the little guys!

Emily
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2.4.11 leopard geckos (Nelson, Zander, Zoe, Baby, Houdini, Munch, & lots of babies)
1.1 ferrets (Oliver and Delilah)
1. budgie (Max)
0.0.1 Ring neck Parakeet (Kiwi)
1.1 German Shepards (Jake and Abigail)

www.freewebs.com/thespottedgecko
*updated*

SableLynx Aug 29, 2004 06:47 PM

Thanks Liz, I now added my list. Gads when I see it in writing it is almost overwealming.
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3.0 Horses
1.0 Akita (Buck)
0.1 Min Schnauzer (Lady)
2.0 Mixed breed dogs (Rusty & Cracker Jack)
4.1 Cats (Jacob, Nugget, William, Pippin, and Skittles)
1.1 Parakeets (Sky & Stormy)
0.1 Rabbit (Spike)(Yes she's a girl)
0.1 Rat (Shivers)
1.0 Guinea Pig (Rodney)
1.1 Geckos( Mr. Dude & Miz. Liz)
0.0.1 Fire Belly Toad (Toad)
3.0 Betta fish (Flare, Sushimi, and Red)
And a 55 gal aquarium. Mostly Swordtails

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