Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

shelle · Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 9:41 pm Post subject: question about housing

hi guys

we have bought another crestie today, we have put it in with our 7 month old unsexed crestie which we think is probably a girl. the one we bought today is around 3 - 4 months old but there's not too much difference in size between the 2 and they have been getting on well. I have had advice from various people including a reptile shop owner who said it would be fine to house them together. What do u all think? Is this ok? I would like to know as much information as possible please, thank you

here is a pic of them together, u can see theres not too much difference in size.

Stuart · Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 9:52 pm Post subject:

As you say the size difference isnt too major and by the looks of it they are in a spacious viv so doubt you will have any problems..best person to help you out with advice on this is ScottW..i'm sure when he sees this he will reply. Cool

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shelle · Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 9:55 pm Post subject:

thankyou thats great. its a spacious 18x18x24 viv, the only thing people on forums have said is that theres a worry they could mate but ive read that they dont reach the desire to mate until ateast 8-9months old, and they are both younger than that.

Stuart · Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 10:00 pm Post subject:

have you any intentions of breeding?..female cresties are certainly well sought after..lol
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shelle · Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 10:03 pm Post subject:

Lol well maybe one day! so do u think its ok to leave them in the same viv tonite? i wouldntve thought the little un would try anything on would u? lol. im just worried now after what people have said on the repashy forum

herplover212 · Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 10:16 pm Post subject:

Hey there! Housing together is never a problem with these guys if they are all female OR a few females and one male. My rule of thumb is that each gecko should have about a 10 gallon tank size. So, for my two females, I have a 40 high. It is large enough for me to add one or two more females in it when the time comes.

The only thing I could strongly encourage next time is never to put two animals together until you quarantine. I say this because I have known too many people who have brought a new herp home, had the correct set up (husbandry, size, animals were ok in size to house together, same species, all females, etc - whatever the case) and lost an entire collection of herps from parasites, bacteria, etc that a new animal can potential expose your collection to. I always advice people to quarantine for at least 90 days - even though I myself quarantine for 6 months. I say 90 days because I have learned that some people will not listen, some will take 90 and do only 30 days, etc. I always recommend two fecals be done, and if one is positive, I encourage them to get two fecals that are clean and at least a month apart before introducing new herps.

I realize this maybe being too much of a worrier, but I say better safe them sorry. I personally know of a friend I met a lil over a year ago who lost 28 leos. MANY of them had been owned for years. They were all lost because she got a leo from a pet store chain here in the US and the leo ended up having coccidia. She did quarantine for 30 days, but it just spread like wildfire and she did not know the leo had coccidia! Sad

The only other reason I say 90 days minimum is because parasites can cycle for 21 days, which means a single treatment can kill adult parasites but the eggs will not be killed and then they hatch out and infest an animal all over again! Sad

Sorry, I do not mean to scare you. I am just very armament about quarantine because I saw first hand what it can do in a very short amount of time!

Nice set up and nice cresties! Lookin' forward to more pics!

-Shanna
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*Yes, I am the chick in the pic!" ;)

herplover212 · Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 10:19 pm Post subject: PS

PS Just to clarify, I did say a few females and a single male. That is true, but if one does this they must be ready and aware that there is a pretty high chance eggs will soon be to come. Also, even females can fight. I have heard two males can be housed together with these guys, as long as there is no female in the tank. I do not know if that is something I would do. I have read it is done quite often though.

-Shanna
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*Yes, I am the chick in the pic!" ;)

shelle · Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 10:33 pm Post subject:

thank you shanna for your help thats great. Just so u all know i have put the little one in a plastic terrarium on his own for tonight until i buy a proper terrarium 2moro for he/she to live in for a few months on its own to monitor poo, eating etc. My mind is at rest now i have seperated them.

Thanks for all ur help guys x

Stuart · Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 11:38 pm Post subject:

I will just add that Scott keeps several males together with no problems at all.. Cool

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herplover212 · Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 3:54 am Post subject:

Thanks Stuart!

Scott - can you tell us a lil about that? Males in the same tank?! How do they do? Have you had any problems ever with more then one male in an enclosure? I would be very interested to know, because if more and more people that I know and trust have done it successfully .... I just may be tempted to get some males and start a second tank for a few!!! Smile

Males seem to be easier to find and I have a friend who is a big time breeder here in the US and as you most likely know, females are in higher demand. Since I don't plan to breed - males are just as good for me if they are what I want in looks and price! Wink

-Shanna
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*Yes, I am the chick in the pic!" ;)