Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello folks,

The following story I am not proud of... but I need your opinion:

About three days ago I found a House Gecko outside of my apartment. It was the first house gecko I had ever seen and I was so excited about it that I caught him and kept him for my own. Yes... I realize what a poor decision that was and I regret it. Peter has been living in a 10 gal aquarium since then. He has lots of foilage, grass, rocks, etc. Matter of fact, you rarely see him unless you're up at night while he is running around. About a year ago I started at a very demanding job, and don't have nearly the time or attention I once had. It is easy for me to care for my Chinese Water Dragon, but it is also easy to forget about the tiny, rarely seen, poor Peter. I am not proud of that and I hate to admit it here. Peter has survived some pretty bleak situations. I am trying to take better care of him, but tonight as I was out walking my dog (oh yes, another pet) I noticed how many House Geckos live around my new apartment. Several of Peter's size, several smaller, several larger. I wonder if Peter wouldn't be better off if I set him free amoungst this other geckos? He has still had to hunt and chase down his food, he has had a near nature enviroment and survived much. What are your opinions? For any other circumstances, I would say no! Do not set him free, he has been captive and is use to such a life. But is he...? I should have never caught him, and I wish to do best by him.
Please advise.

Tania
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~~Tania~~
Jake (Chinese Water Dragon)
Peter (House Gecko)
Mosley (Maltese Shi Tzu Mix)
RIP Mary (House Gecko)

I'm sure he will do fine if you let him go. If it was captive born and fed for a while then I might say differently. Where do you live?

i would imagine he would do fine as well. there are plenty of insects and food around if there are many other geckos. only thing i think about when releasing an animal is think about it getting eatin or something. if it is tame and not skittish when you walk in or try to take it out i wouldn't release it. but if it is still very jumpy and skittish i would.

He is perhaps not as skittish as when I first bought him, but he still runs and hides from me. I'm sure he would not hesitate to drop his tail if I tried to pick him up.
I am very worried about him getting eaten, but I want him to be happy...
Urg.
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~~Tania~~
Jake (Chinese Water Dragon)
Peter (House Gecko)
Mosley (Maltese Shi Tzu Mix)
RIP Mary (House Gecko)

they get eaten every day, there's nothing you can do about that.

A free geckop is a happy gecko. As for him becoming part of the food chain, it's a part of nature. Maybe he'll live long enough to make a bunch of young'ns before he passes on.

Quig

Do you think it is best to feed him prior to release, or let him go hungry so he'll jump right in a start hunting?
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~~Tania~~
Jake (Chinese Water Dragon)
Peter (House Gecko)
Mosley (Maltese Shi Tzu Mix)
RIP Mary (House Gecko)

You've only had him a few days, right? If he's eaten at all since being in your care I wouldn't worry to much about it. If you'd feel better feeding him before letting him go, by all means do do.
Quig

No, I've had him for over 3 years.
Last night I thought to myself, if you can go through all this trouble over whether or not to let him go... why don't you just make a concentrated effort to take better care of him? I'm not sure how long house geckos live, but perhaps not much longer. The least I could do is give him a nice retirement...
I dont know
I'm conflicted
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~~Tania~~
Jake (Chinese Water Dragon)
Peter (House Gecko)
Mosley (Maltese Shi Tzu Mix)
RIP Mary (House Gecko)

Don't set him free then, He's used to you by now and it'd be a big mistake when he's used to getting food. Instead, maybe give him to someone who can take better care of him and won't forget him. And I'm confused on something. You say you caught him in the first post, then you say you bought him. So which is it?

I wonder if Peter wouldn't be better off if I set him free amoungst this other geckos?

Peter himself would be better off--maybe (as long as he doesn't get eaten). As far as the whole colony on your apartment complex is concerned, they will get along fine, if not better, without him.

Since you've had him in captivity, the potential exists that he may have been exposed to pathogens (e.g. from your water dragon) that could be detrimental to the other geckos if he were to come into contact with them. In fact, some states have laws against the re-release of wild-caught herps for this very reason (to protect existing populations). On the other hand, the laws tend to be vague concerning re-release of animals which aren't native (I assume you're in the US, therefore the geckos are an invasive species). On the OTHER other hand, some states forbid the introduction of exotics (and rightly so), EVEN IF they're ones you caught in the same location the day prior!
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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

I doubt he's been exposed to anything from my other pets, as I keep them all in seperate rooms and wash my hands as soon as I am done being in contact with one. Thank you for your response, though. Every thought counts...
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~~Tania~~
Jake (Chinese Water Dragon)
Peter (House Gecko)
Mosley (Maltese Shi Tzu Mix)
RIP Mary (House Gecko)

In your first post, you said you captured him; in a subsequent post, you said you bought him. In EITHER case, after 3 years in captivity there is NO way you should release him into the wild. Find a herp society, hang a sign at your local pet stores, find a herp rescue, all these places can help you find a home for him, but don't release him into the wild.

It's the most harmless things that cause the worst problems ecologically. I have a Biology degree and I specialized in invasive species--even tiny things can cause disasters. Please, find a different way to get Peter a better home. Also, a lot of geckos are very long-lived, so you may really want to think about rehoming Peter. Think of it this way-- you care about him enough to do this legwork, why not find him a home instead of putting him back into the food chain? His odds aren't really great outside.
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1.0 Sinaloan Milk Snake Oryn
1.0 Anerythristic Columbian Red-tail Boa Onyx
1.1 Crested Geckos, Whiff and Sticky Helix
0.0.1 GTP "Roxy"
0.0.1 Western Hognose Poco
1.0 Italian Greyhound Harley
0.1 Silver/Black Tabby cat Jade

I don't remember saying I bought him, but whatever the case is, I caught him. I decided several days ago to keep him and I put his cage where he cannot be missed. He is doing alot better already and I think he's happy.
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~~Tania~~
Jake (Chinese Water Dragon)
Peter (House Gecko)
Mosley (Maltese Shi Tzu Mix)
RIP Mary (House Gecko)

Poor Peter passed away last night. He was having a real rough time shedding this time around. I tried really hard to help him out, but I guess it wasn't enough.
I know this was my fault, so I'd appreciate it if you could keep the "you killed him" threads to a minimum.
Just wanted to let you guys know.

I feel really bad.
I just hate me.
I miss him.
I'm sorry.

T
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~~Tania~~
Jake (Chinese Water Dragon)
Peter (House Gecko)
Mosley (Maltese Shi Tzu Mix)
RIP Mary (House Gecko)