Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello. I am looking for advice on which type of gecko would work for me. I am looking into Days, but I am not too knowledged on all the other types and I am open to suggestions.

I am thiking of making a viv. I have 2 different plans and I think I will end up using the second one.

1) Viv with the normal plants, high sides, low in the middle, climbing material, etc... with a false floor and alot of water space underneath that opens up at the top to the middle of the false floor. I planned to have a couple small fish in there also. I am a little worried about the geckos with that much water though.

2) Viv with the normal plants, high sides, low in the middle, climbing material, etc... with a portion of a false floor and a no-pool water feature (pebbles with constant water flow over them, but hardly any standing water) and a small trickle stream comming from one of the raised side walls, down a small stream and back into the pebble fountain.

I am not worried about keeping up heat and humidity, I will use water heaters and/or heat pads/tape/lamps. I am a little worried about lighting only because of the constant cost of the high priced bulbs, but I will do it if I have to to get the right species for me.

It would also be helpful if you could add the basic care info (or a link to a care sheet) for the species you suggest.

Tank size?
Diet? (what and how often)
Adult size?
Heat, Humidity, Lighting requirements?
Enviroment cleaning frequency?
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

you should most definitely take a closer look at crested geckos, rachodactylus ciliatus.
room temp, no artificial light needed.
eats small insects, ( mainly crickets) but there is a powder diet available where you mix 1:2 powder to water. i've raised several babies that i've produced solely on the diet and they are doing great.
check out www.acreptiles.com or www.pangeareptiles.com for caresheets and other information.

I usually recommended Leopard geckos as a first herp pet,and would still encourage you to consider them. However, I would have to agree with the first responder, cresteds are definately worth consideration.

Some other things you may want to Consider:
Handling. If you intend on holding your pet, or allowing for Some "out of the Cage" recreation, then you may not want to start with a Day Gecko. Although some more experienced keepers may disagree; I personally beleive Cresteds and Leos are more personable. other species noteworthy for being tolerant of human contact would include African Fat tails or bearded dragons. (I know it's a Gecko forum, but I just had to toss that species in as well :0)

Diurnal or Nocturnal. Both Leos and crested are nocturnal. If you would rather have your pet active during the Day, consider a diurnal species such as the appropriately named Day Gecko ( or again... the bearded dragon).

Terrestrial or Arboreal. Cresteds are tree dwellers, arboreal. As such, they require a tall or vertical cage. leopards and Beardies are terrestrial, and prefer horizontal enclosures. This is primarily an issue it space is a concern.

Hope this helps. good luck.
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2.1 Leopard Geckos
1.1 Rhacodactylus Leachianus
1.0 Rhacodactylus Chahoua
0.2 Shetland Sheepdogs
1 Pond w/ fresh water fish

Thanks for the info. I forgot to mention that this will not be my first herp pet. I have had and still have ball pythons (have 3 now, one that we are rehabing from some idiots who didn't care enough to even feed her) and I have dappled into breeding them and will be getting back into it in the next couple of years. I have also kept some local species as a rehab type situation, water snakes, garter snakes, lots of painted turtles, salamanders, I rescued an iggy once, and I frequent my favorite pet shop, which is the ONLY pet store that sells reptiles that I actually support.

I have thought about Leos and Beardies, but my friend just got some dart frogs, and while they are not for me, I am inspired to make a tropical Viv.

I will look into cresteds, they sure are beautiful! I would like to see them durring the day, but that is not a feature that is a MUST, I am kinda nocturnal, so... LOL... I actually think I prefer the arboreal. I like the little toes and seeing them stuck to the glass, and I like the designing of the Viv with plants and natural climbing material and perches.

If I were to do a crested or day, I suspct the second setup I referred to would be the best bet, is there anything that should be changed?

Thanks for the info guys!
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

I think that you should go withwhat you want.Day geckos are a fine choice,even for someone who has never kept them.I have 20 some species and would be happy to get you pointed in the right direction.

www.jaysommersreptiles.com

>>I think that you should go withwhat you want.Day geckos are a fine choice,even for someone who has never kept them.I have 20 some species and would be happy to get you pointed in the right direction.
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>> www.jaysommersreptiles.com

have you considered tokays.... i know they arent the nicest of species but they are very beautiful and they would do well in either of those setups...

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~JiMsKi~

i am not an expert by any means...i just tell my opinions and what i have heard/read from caresheets.

1.1 leopard geckos- axl and candy
1.1 golden geckos- hershey and cocoa
0.1 tokay- blitz

http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/index.php?user=82985&cat=500

Jay, Nice site, any info helps.

I have a while to think about this, I usually like to take a while and read up on the species I want and absorb as much info as possible. I also have to save up (around other bills, birthdays, etc...) to make sure I get everything they need and the proper setup.

If you could get me a good caresheet, that would be awesome. I have tried looking them up, but I never know which ones are reliable. I found one that said they don't need any insects or supliments, that fruit alone is good enough, and I just don't believe that at all. Even my fish get a varried diet. I know I woulen't be able to live on fruit alone!

Jim, I thought about Tokays, I can't remember why, but I saw something that turned me off, it wasn't there temperment, but I forget what it was. Hummm...
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~