Hi, folks. I'm new to this forum. My name's Joe and I live in Boston. I bought a couple of giant day geckos from a breeder named Manwaring about 7 years ago. The female died in about a year from a superworm getting stuck in her stomach (that was a tough lesson to learn). She loved fruit. The male, whom my daughter named Arthur, is a big tough guy, who can eat any animal he can fit in his mouth but who never did eat even a bit of fruit. We kept Arthur for 2 years and then gave him to the local high school's biology classroom, and there he was cared for by students and the janitor for over 5 years. Now he's back at my house, which thrills my kids who have a dim recollection of owning him when they were toddlers.
See picture I just snapped below. Arthur's 8 years old now. He looks great. Bigger and as green as ever. Legs look muscular. The last inch of his tail has turned yellow, and the spots on his back have faded to pale orange. 6 years ago, whenever he spotted a cricket at the opposite end of his huge cage, he acrobatically rushed over there and nabbed it. Now, he only notices a cricket if it comes within 5 inches of his snout, and he doesn't rush to grab it but takes his time. However, he's capable of great speed when I try to capture him with a net for transport.
Do any of you have experience with aging day geckos? I'm wondering how many years he has left, if he's gone nearsighted, and what appetite and other behaviors to expect. Are there any special care considerations? Also, regarding mating, he's not seen a woman in 6 years, and I was wondering if I should procure him one at his age.
Thanks! --Joe
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