Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi~
I have a question for all you Leaf Tailed Gecko/ Gecko keepers; I have read on numerous websites that Satanic Leaf Tailed Geckos require UVB lighting. Some say you just need UV lighting. I really don’t want to buy stuff that the gecko won’t need, but, if they are healthier with UVB or UV, I will not hesitate to acquire it. What my question is, is that do I get a UV light, or, a UVB one? I have heard quite a bit of contradictions on this matter and would like to know from people who have successfully kept Leaf Tails before. As you probably know, I know that Leaf Tails are challenging to take of. I am just fascinated by them and would love to acquire and successfully take care of one. Any info on keeping these critters appreciated! Ninja_Snake

i kept satanics for years,and i never used lights on them,with no ill effects.
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1.1 cb spotted turtles (parker(f),stinky(m))
0.0.2 cb baby razorback musks (way too cute)
0.0.1 cb baby eastern mud (also ridiculously cute)
0.0.1 cb reeve's turtle (george)
0.1 cb '09 eastern box (bella)
1.2 ltc eastern box breeders
0.1 cb'06 eastern box(nanners)
1.2 cb'08 kenyan sand boas(1 albino,1 anery,1 normal)
1.0 cb'08 jungle carpet
1.1 stenodactylus geckos
0.1 redeye croc skink
1.0 cb '03 homo sapien(kaelan,6)
"jesus is coming-when i count to 3,everyone jump out and yell SURPRISE!!"

Thanks!
Anymore information regarding Leaf-Tails greatly appreciated! Ninja_Snake

don't get them too hot(i kept mine at warm room temp,75-78 or so),don't let them get too dry(i averaged 80% humidty,geckos thrived).
they are nocturnal,and mine hid all day,so the the lights were unnecessary.the room that they were in was allowed to cool to around 70 or so at night,i misted heavy 2 or 3 times a week,and added fresh dusted crickets 2 or 3 times a week.
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1.1 cb spotted turtles (parker(f),stinky(m))
0.0.2 cb baby razorback musks (way too cute)
0.0.1 cb baby eastern mud (also ridiculously cute)
0.0.1 cb reeve's turtle (george)
0.1 cb '09 eastern box (bella)
1.2 ltc eastern box breeders
0.1 cb'06 eastern box(nanners)
1.2 cb'08 kenyan sand boas(1 albino,1 anery,1 normal)
1.0 cb'08 jungle carpet
1.1 stenodactylus geckos
0.1 redeye croc skink
1.0 cb '03 homo sapien(kaelan,6)
"jesus is coming-when i count to 3,everyone jump out and yell SURPRISE!!"

Thanks man!
What type of terrarium did you use? Do you think a 18x-18x-24x Exo-Terra would work? I am thinking of just getting them a simple UV light and a non-light heat lamp(something that the gecko couldn't see at night. anymore info regarding this species from anybody is greatly appreciated. Thanks! Jake

I am going to post this on the Uroplatus forum. I am new, and I didn't know they had a forum dedicated to this group.

UVB is usually not considered necessary for Uroplatus spp. as long as they are getting some vitamin D3 in their diet. However, a low level UVB bulb (2.0) will not hurt them and could help in the long run. I would strongly recommend against a heat lamp of any sort with U. phantasticus. They are cool temperature animals and really do best at 72-76 degrees. So unless your house is unusually cold, don't add any heat.

As far as feeding, I have been able to get most satanics to tong feed without a problem. Some will be stubborn at first, but they can be convinced with a trick I like to call the "cricket-gut lipstick." First crush the cricket's head to kill it. Then make a small tear in the abdomen of the cricket so that some of the entrails are exposed. Hold the cricket with tweezers by the head and very gently wipe the entrails on the gecko's mouth. Then wait... When the gecko begins to lick the entrails of his/her lips hold the cricket nearby and almost always he/she will grab it instantly. Do this a few times and you will have geckos that dive on tong fed crickets whenever you go in the cage. No more removing old crickets, no worrying about whose eating how much, and no worrying about whether calcium/vitamin powders are being wiped off.

Satanics are some of the wildest geckos I've worked with. Keep them cool, hydrated and well fed and you will love them too.

Good luck!

Zach

Thanks guys!
I have posted this message on various other forums and I am going to use a UVB light, supplement them a calcium/D3 mix. I am probably going to be using cypress mulch with gravel on the bottom for substrate. I am thinking about getting a cork bark tile to use on the back. I am thinking of getting ficus or pothos for plants. I am not going to use a heat source, maybe a heat pad underneath the tank to bring the humidity up. I am really going to have to experiment with it until I get right. I am going to put foil/glass/Etc. to put on the top to hold the moisture in. The nighttime temps in my room are roughly 62-65F. I live in WA, so the vivarium will be kept moderately cool. I would greatly appreciate it if the guys/gals who own leaf tails would post what supplies/equipment/substrate/etc. they use in their terrariums. Anymore tips and/or recommendations on keeping these amazing geckos appreciated! Regards, Jake

make a lid out of plexiglass,cut to fit the top.drill 4 or 5 holes on either side,and put the whole set up in front of a window.the sunlight will raise the humidity by itself,you won't need a heat pad.just mist it on occasion,3 or 4 times a week.that's what i did,and it worked beautifully
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1.1 spotted turtles 1.3 ltc eastern boxies 0.1 cb'06 eastern boxie 0.1 cb'09 eastern boxie 0.0.2 cb'09 razorback musks 0.0.1 cb'09 eastern mud 0.0.1 cb'09 reeve's turtle 1.0 cb'09 crested gecko 1.1 steno geckos 1.2 redeye croc skink 1.2 cb'09 kenyan sand boas(albino,anery,normal) 0.1 albino hedgehog
1.0 cb '03 homo sapien(kaelan,7)
"jesus is coming-when i count to 3,everyone jump out and yell SURPRISE!!"

An all glass tank with a plexi lid in front of a window can turn into a solar cooker so be careful. Keep these geckos cool! Remember... These are nocturnal, undergrowth dwelling geckos. Their exposure to sunlight is most likely little to non at all. If you want to go with UVB use a 2.0 bulb nothing more. Keep them cool, well hydrated and well fed and you will have healthy, happy, phantasticus

I use an 18"x18"x24" Exo-Terra for one satanic (I guess he's lucky). It's a live planted terrarium with 2x 8w CFL and 1x 15" tube. It maintains an average RH of around 85% and a temperature gradient in the mid 70s. You shouldn't need to make a solid top for an Exo-Terra. As said above you may end up with a little oven and ventilation can become an issue. I rarely mist heavily as I water the plants well every couple of weeks which raises the RH, and I spray really lightly (for drinking water) every couple nights and maintain steady conditions like that. Anything less and plants dry out. Anything more and I get fungus gnats. I also do not provide UV lighting and my guy eats well and is active at night and displays beautiful colors. Besides, he hides so far down the plant that the canopy created blocks nearly all the light by the time it reaches, or rather doesn't reach his position.