Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been mad on reptiles for years and have always wanted to keep a gecko. Its took me a long time but now I think I can devote my time and energy to this and wondered how/where I should start. I am in the UK and wondered whether there are any help stations/breeders/associations I could turn to. I want to do this right and learn as much as I can before going out and buying one. I've got a few books but to be honest they don't tell me everything I need to know. I need help in setting up a vivarium. I know I want a Leopard Gecko for definite and only want one - definitely not into this for breeding, just for a hobby. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

Ali

Hi Ali. I also live in the UK. I've just hatched a new leopard gecko that I'd like to place in a new home. She is a normal Leopard gecko but cute none the less and at the moment about 12 hours old. (She should also be female.)

As for setting up a Viv and everything else I can give you all the info you need. For keeping a single Leo.

In England I've found it hard to find as many specialist stores as there seem to be in the US.

For a single leopard gecko you'll need....

-Viv. (As big as you can allow)
-UHT (Under Tank Heater) about 1/3rd the size of the viv.
-A light source normal light bulb works well.
-Hides (I use cork personally)
-Water dishes and Mealworm dish (if you want to use mealworms that is)
-Substrate. I personally use coral sand.
-Food Crickets/Mealworms/Hoppers
-Supplements for your Gecko. (Something with Calcium and other vitamins/minerals to coat your food items in.

Substrate many people don't like large grain sand or particle substrate due to worry about impactation. (Them swallowing it and becoming sick/dying) I personally in 8 or so years of knowing people who have kept Leopard geckos and snakes have yet to see this problem occur. I'm not saying it can't happen but I have not seen it.

I live in London and in a time if you want a Leopard gecko and have the correct setup I am more than happy to let you take this little lady from me for free.

My email address is leopardgecko@btinternet.com. If you have any questions feel free to email me.

Regards

Paul.

Just wanted to add.

This forum is a great place to learn everything you wanted to know about Leopard Geckos. Its been an invaluable source of information for me in breeding Leo's and caring for them. And if they don't have the answer then someone where sure as hell knows a site somewhere or someone they can get the answer from.

I'd read up on all the areas you feel your lacking in information, be it; temperature, food, substrate, lighting, UHT or Basking Lamp? What to feed, Problems. Everything is here.

As for breeders. In the UK I've found quite a few shops in London that sell reptiles and all of the equipment needed to keep one. As for breeders I haven't seen any as yet and I haven't heard of any reptile shows or exebitions. (If anyone has please let me know.)

Any questions I'd just post here and let the guys and gals here answer your questions. You might also want to look at some of MacArthers questions as he has just aquired a new Leo and asked a whole load of questions.

Paul.