Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hi,
my name is Mike Cappiello. I bought my first crested gecko sunday and would like to know a few things.
1. I know that cresteds are usually big eaters but my 3 month old has not touched anything since we brought it home. It is housed in a 20 high with paper towl bottom (switching to cypress tomorrow) and fake plants and some climbing branches. I'm not new to herps and know they require a "breaking in" time as I call it, but how long should this last. Temp and humidity are fine as well. small crickets and puree'd apricot, banana, and grape mix have been offered. I will be trying peach baby food tomorrow. Any thoughts? should I be concered?
2. when juveniles, does anyone find that the animals prefer smaller tanks? Would mine be afraid of such as large tank when so small in comparison?

Hope to learn as much as possible and begin breeding when the time arrives!

Mike

I house my 3 month old's in small kritter keepers. It usually takes about 2-3 days for my new ones to overcome the stress and eat. I would find out exactly what your gecko was eating before you got it and go from there.
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Derek Dunlop
DDReptiles
http://www.freewebs.com/ddreptiles/index.htm

do you think the large tank would make a difference? He's exploring more of his tank so it is looking better. Is the best time to feed at night when they are normally active?

-Mike

it is better to feed at night, as durring most of the day they sleep in hideaways unless disturbed. i personally prefer smaller cages with the younger animals because it is easier to monitor thier feeding habits. hope this helps

Andrew Ellis

yes thank you for your replies. I will get another kritter cage and use that for housing for now. I really hope he starts eating soon. Thanks again!

-Mike

i was successful in getting the gecko to take about a dozen licks of peach baby food w/ some calcium mixed in, but still no crickets... i tried dangling.... dipping the cricket in w/ the baby food.... lets see if it eats any tonight.

-Mike

Try pear and raspberry combo on the baby food. I have had a few that were a little difficult at first but they ALL went right for the pear based baby food.