Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Last time i posted that i was getting some cb satanics for $90 each.....but they were quickly swiped up. Now that this mass importation has taken place they were on the inventory list again so i will be getting a 1.1 pair. I really hope they are healthy. So when I get them....is a 10 gal the right size? (read that somewhere, but it seems a little small). Should i get fecals run on them or use some over-the-counter stuff? Should i seperate them to gather fecals(in my mind i think no, bc if one has it they most likely both do). How far away should i keep these guys away from my crested and gargoyle so that nothing is transferred. Thanks everyone!

John

ALWAYS run fecals on EVERY w/c animal. They are inevitably loaded w/ coccidia, and nematodes of various species. As long as the crested and gargoyle arent in the same enclosure (as the phants) and you practice good hygeine, cross-infection isn't a worry.

most parasites are species and at the very least genera specific...
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Ben

Thank you almighty one

I'm curious as to where you got this opinion.
Parasites are opportunistic and can certainly
be spread between species/genera. Strict hygiene
is a must with any new gecko, cb or wc.

Neil

I'd have to agree w/Meister on this one. While some parasite species only prey on certain species of animals. Many of them prey on anything loosely speaking that's available.

Now if Ben is referring to symbiotic relationships, that's species specific.
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Uroplatus sikorae 1.1
Uroplatus henkeli
Ball python
Hogg Island Boa Constrictor
Several species of tarantula

That's a safe assumption YES, but its also the easy way out of describing what are some of the most highly evolved and successful organisms on this earth.

I certainly didn't mean to downplay the importance of cleanliness... But for example, if someone is to run a fecal on a Uroplatus gecko, they will likely find species of coccidian (like Sean said) that are undescribed and specific to Uroplatus... They can and will differ from other coccidians (even between congeners) in a number of morphological structures, different developmental patterns and site and host specificity. It is unlikely that they can cross family lines, but I am not completely ruling out the fact that they can possibly cross-infest within or between a genus/genera. Mechanisms of host-specificity can function on many levels (from ecological factors to specific nutritional requirements on down to something as specific as the pH of the host site).

The truth of the matter is that not much is known about Uroplatus parasites, and cross-infestation is more/less common in certain animal taxa. However, I am going to stick my neck out there and say that it is unlikely for Uroplatus to spread parasites to Rhacodactylus; undoubtedly so, if you are practicing good husbandry.

You will never rid your geckos of coccidians, you can only hope to maintain a balance between what the gecko’s immune system can handle and what is detrimental to their health (ie. bad husbandry, stress, ect. play a role in causing coccidian manifestation). In addition, little is known about coccidian ability to re-infest its host after oocycts have been shed in the feces. Such re-ingestion of sporulated oocyts via directly into the mouth from dirt/feces or via a cricket that has eaten feces may cause coccidiosis.

Other parasites such as strongyles and acarids are more easily treated and eliminated so I will not concern myself with them in this post.

Like I said, I never meant to take a lax stance on fecal checks and proper hygiene. I guess I was trying to say more simply what I just said. And this is my opinion, as there is a lot of ambiguity surrounding Uroplatus parasites. However, I’ve done my research. I, along with a PhD, am slowly (but surely) working on scientifically describing some of these exact coccidians I have spoke of.

I invite people to take a look at the link I have posted to see just how diverse Saurian coccidians are;
Saurian Coccidians

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Ben

I keep all of my new WC's in a different room than established animals for at least 6 weeks. You cant exclude the possibilty of airborne or migrational (whether "on their own", or by you) parasites/bacteria/viruses/fungi etc. that can be transmitted with relative ease in a close proximity. For example, an uneaten roach or cricket can become an excellent bacteria/parasite/whatever transmitter by escaping and cross contaminating another cage, equipment, water etc.

I had a disease from an established Wc infect CB babies from across the room once (chameleons) - left a bad taste in my mouth. Unfortunately, I think quarantine is a highly underestimated practice.
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www.wildeyereptiles.com

Chameleons, geckos & invertebrates

Leah hit an important point right on the nose... Never place escaped crickets/roaches back into an animal's enclosure. Always discard of the cricket/roach as a hypothesized mode of transmission for various parasite oocysts is to stick to prey or to be ingested by prey. Cross contamination can occur with something as seemingly harmless as this.
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Ben

very informational. i learned a lot and it sounds like you sure know your stuff. good explanations.