Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm interested in acquiring some Viper Geckos, but I'm finding conflicting information in online care sheets and was hoping I could get some guidance from some people who actually keep them.

In particular, what temps should they be kept at and should they be provided with a humid hide?

I'm hoping to get a trio and house them on Vitasand (Vitamin-Fortified Calcium Carbonate Substrate by Zoomed). I've read sand is okay. I plan to feed crickets and waxworms and was wondering if I might also try silkworms and butterworm.

Any tips/advice would be appreciate. Thanks!
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1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Bredl's Carpet Python "Strider"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
1.0 Saharan Sand Boa "Frodo"
0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa "Arwen"
1.0 San Felipe Rosy Boa "Legalos"
0.1 California Kingsnake "Gentoo"
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Indigo"
1.0 Snow Corn snake "Chile"
0.1 Okeetee Corn snake "Amazon"
1.0 Crested Gecko "Willow"
0.0.1 Irian Jaya BlueTongued Skink
0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer "Kira"

the temps ur reading about are fine.....I wouldn't use vita-sand if i were you, but that's just me, besides it's not really sand anyway.....is it? I use carpet & have great luck with it.....i also have a moist hide in their vivs.....it's a mix of eco-earth & sand (together).
Good Luck.....they are great little geckos. =o)
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2.0.0 Cresteds
1.1.0 Afican Fat Tail
1.1.0 Viper Tail
0.1.0 Oedura Castelnaui

Thank you for your reply. May I ask what temps you keep yours at? I've heard anything from 85-97.

I thought about the VitaSand because a couple of caresheets I found mentioned calcium carbonate substrate which I believe that's what the VitaSand is. What about the Reptisand by Zoomed? I was also considering Bed-a-Beast.

Thanks again!
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Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Bredl's Carpet Python "Strider"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
1.0 Saharan Sand Boa "Frodo"
0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa "Arwen"
1.0 San Felipe Rosy Boa "Legalos"
0.1 California Kingsnake "Gentoo"
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Indigo"
1.0 Snow Corn snake "Chile"
0.1 Okeetee Corn snake "Amazon"
1.0 Crested Gecko "Willow"
0.0.1 Irian Jaya BlueTongued Skink
0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer "Kira"

here's a pic of my set up with the repti-carpet.

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2.0.0 Cresteds
1.1.0 Afican Fat Tail
1.1.0 Viper Tail
0.1.0 Oedura Castelnaui

I have 1.3 of these guys. Wonderful little geckos. I wouldnt use vitasand. Its not even sand and it is just asking for impaction when you use it. Just use washed playsand. Its cheaper and safer. I keep mine between 80-95 with a light mist every so often. I have hides for each animal but one or two of them likes to stay in the open. They also tend to enjoy more of a "tight hide" to go in then a big wide open hiding spot. They most likely will not take butter worms or silkworms given the size of the worm. Could try small ones possibly. Mine eat crickets, waxies, and mealworms although at first they wouldnt take mealies or waxies.

That is very helpful. While I do have some playsand on hand, what do you think about Zoomeds Reptisand (I'm assuming it's real sand?) or Bed-a-Beast? I only ask about these too because I like the color they come in.

Also, may I ask what you use as supplements (for dusting, etc) and how often you use it? Do you keep a dish of calcium in the cage as well? And how often/how much do you feed?

Thanks again!
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Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Bredl's Carpet Python "Strider"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
1.0 Saharan Sand Boa "Frodo"
0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa "Arwen"
1.0 San Felipe Rosy Boa "Legalos"
0.1 California Kingsnake "Gentoo"
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Indigo"
1.0 Snow Corn snake "Chile"
0.1 Okeetee Corn snake "Amazon"
1.0 Crested Gecko "Willow"
0.0.1 Irian Jaya BlueTongued Skink
0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer "Kira"

I feed 3 times a week, juvies everyday. I use Herptivite and Repcal /w D3 every feeding. One to two times a month I dont give supplements. Right now I use reptisand. Only thing that I dont like about it is that it sometimes falls down in front of their hide holes. Dont use bed a beast. These animals are from the middle east, pakistan area to be exact, like a sand maybe with very little peat moss added if that. have a good one.

I think I'll go with the Reptisand. How deep should I make it?

When they shed, do they shed in one or several pieces? Do they eat their shed?

I'm also trying to decide whether to go with a heating pad or an overhead heat lamp - any suggestions?

Thanks again!
-----
Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Bredl's Carpet Python "Strider"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
1.0 Saharan Sand Boa "Frodo"
0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa "Arwen"
1.0 San Felipe Rosy Boa "Legalos"
0.1 California Kingsnake "Gentoo"
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Indigo"
1.0 Snow Corn snake "Chile"
0.1 Okeetee Corn snake "Amazon"
1.0 Crested Gecko "Willow"
0.0.1 Irian Jaya BlueTongued Skink
0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer "Kira"

>I think I'll go with the Reptisand. How deep should I make it?

2-3 inches. I make it that deep to cover the hides.

>When they shed, do they shed in one or several pieces? Do they >eat their shed?

several, and they will eat it.

I'm also trying to decide whether to go with a heating pad or an >overhead heat lamp - any suggestions?

Heating pad, they are nocturnal so it doesnt really matter.

I found a glass tank that is 30x12.5x6
I figured I'd go with the low height for both space issues and because they're not arboreal. Is that fine or will I possibly regret it and find the low height too confining in any way?
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Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Bredl's Carpet Python "Strider"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
1.0 Saharan Sand Boa "Frodo"
0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa "Arwen"
1.0 San Felipe Rosy Boa "Legalos"
0.1 California Kingsnake "Gentoo"
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Indigo"
1.0 Snow Corn snake "Chile"
0.1 Okeetee Corn snake "Amazon"
1.0 Crested Gecko "Willow"
0.0.1 Irian Jaya BlueTongued Skink
0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer "Kira"

this is going to sound stupid but Im having a hard time visualizing that aquarium..hehe.

You mean 30 inches long by 12 inches high?

That sounds like a 15 and that would work fine. Take it easy.

30L x 12.5W x 6H

Sorry I didn't specify. It's like a 20 long except it's only 6 inches high.
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Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Bredl's Carpet Python "Strider"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
1.0 Saharan Sand Boa "Frodo"
0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa "Arwen"
1.0 San Felipe Rosy Boa "Legalos"
0.1 California Kingsnake "Gentoo"
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Indigo"
1.0 Snow Corn snake "Chile"
0.1 Okeetee Corn snake "Amazon"
1.0 Crested Gecko "Willow"
0.0.1 Irian Jaya BlueTongued Skink
0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer "Kira"

Yeah that should be fine. Just secure the lid cause they can climb.

,
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Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Bredl's Carpet Python "Strider"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
1.0 Saharan Sand Boa "Frodo"
0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa "Arwen"
1.0 San Felipe Rosy Boa "Legalos"
0.1 California Kingsnake "Gentoo"
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Indigo"
1.0 Snow Corn snake "Chile"
0.1 Okeetee Corn snake "Amazon"
1.0 Crested Gecko "Willow"
0.0.1 Irian Jaya BlueTongued Skink
0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer "Kira"

No problem. Have fun with the little guys.