Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[DaFoot]

Following the advice I was given in my 'hello to forum' message (thanks), I have been looking around for some day geckos as my first lizards.

Found some Gold Dust Geckos in a local shop that I may get, lovely looking fellas.

Viv setup and maintaining Humidity 68-75% consistanly, temp range 22 at night to 30 daytime at hot end of viv.

This sound about right to you guys?
As I am new to lizards I want to double check everything before I bring my new freinds home
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www.dafoot.co.uk

[Peter Parrot]

Good choice. Temps and humidity sound good, maybe try and up the lower end of the temp range to 25. Fruit flies, 1st stage crickets, wax worms and fruit baby foods are on your shopping list. Also, they are intrepid escape artists, so beware!

Enjoy them, an interesting book for you is Day Geckoes, (Professional Breeders Series) by F.Bruse, M.Meyer and W.Scmidt ISBN 3-930612-95-X
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INSPIRING PEOPLE, IMPROVING PLACES
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Visit our website - Gwelwch ein Gwefan
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[DaFoot]

Thanks Peter. Any idea where I can get that book in UK?

Also, do you mean the warm end of viv should not drop below 25 at all?
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www.dafoot.co.uk

[Peter Parrot]

I got my copy here http://www.dartfrog.co.uk/books.html


You have a basking area which probably reaches 30? P. Laticauda have been observed basking at temperatures right up at a roasting 35!

I just meant that I myself would let the temp range from 25 at the coolest part up to 30 and over if poss.
_________________
YSBRYDOLI POBL, GWELLA LLEOEDD
INSPIRING PEOPLE, IMPROVING PLACES
www.btcv.org
Visit our website - Gwelwch ein Gwefan
www.btcvcymru.org
Llinell Gymorth / Helpline: 08702 40 48 41

[DaFoot]

[Peter Parrot]

That`s probably fine as it is then. A slight drop in temperature over the Winter period is fine also.
_________________
YSBRYDOLI POBL, GWELLA LLEOEDD
INSPIRING PEOPLE, IMPROVING PLACES
www.btcv.org
Visit our website - Gwelwch ein Gwefan
www.btcvcymru.org
Llinell Gymorth / Helpline: 08702 40 48 41

[DaFoot]

Found a shop with 4 young CB geckos (Gold dust day geckos). Perfect.

Chap said he has seen an occasional bit of agro so they may be more than 1 male in there. Though it seems he can't be sure - too young perhaps?

Is sexing of the youngsters hard or perhaps I should not buy from this shop?
Everywhere I have seen the rule is always no more than 1 male per viv...do these guys fight to death or would they be ok with a bit of posturing if plenty of hiding space?
_________________
www.dafoot.co.uk

[Peter Parrot]

Sexing day geckoes depends on the species and their age also as to how easy it is. Some Phelsuma are sexually diamorphic (males and females differ in colour and pattern) which is a great help.

This doesn`t help you however because P. laticauda is not one of those species. Unfortunately, P.laticauda, the Gold dust day gecko, is one of the species which is most difficult to sex. Both sexes have preanal femoral pores, which are more developed in the male. Sexing this species is only really possible when they are more or less full grown, at about a year old. Captive bred youngsters are often raised in groups to start with, until they are about two thirds grown at about 6-7cm. This is usually the time when fighting begins to surface.

How big are the ones you have seen? Adults vary from 10 -12 cm. I think you`re best bet is either to watch the group that you have seen, and spot which individuals are "disagreeing" and don`t get that pair, OR look elsewhere such as a private breeder. (I can point you in the right direction if it comes to that but you may have to travel). You are better off, however, getting some that are already together than attempting to introduce pairs that have never previously cohabited.

Introducing pairs can be very stressful and some simply never get on, it`s a fact. My P. ornata male that I kept before went through three females before I found one that he accepted, and if you are limited for vivarium space, this can be another problem. One of my P. klemmeri males however broke all the rules (as did the females) and lived with four females AND another male in a huge densely planted viv. Even newly hatched youngsters survived until I could remove them to safety. This was the exeption rather than the rule though and I would advise strongly that you do not at this stage try to replicate this!

If travelling is not a realistic prospect, or waiting for a pair to become available, take you`re time to observe the group that you have found, and go home with the peaceful ones. Then keep an eye on them as they mature.
_________________
YSBRYDOLI POBL, GWELLA LLEOEDD
INSPIRING PEOPLE, IMPROVING PLACES
www.btcv.org
Visit our website - Gwelwch ein Gwefan
www.btcvcymru.org
Llinell Gymorth / Helpline: 08702 40 48 41

[DaFoot]

Travelling is feasable - for my own peace of mind and the proper future health/well being of the little 'uns.

The ones I have seen are not adults yet...of top of my head I would say around the 8cm mark including tail.

I'm going back on Sunday to talk to a guy at the shop that only works there on sundays - apparently knows Geckos better than the chap I spoke to on phone today.

No doubt a lot of these questions will get answered when that book you suggested arrives - wont have to keep bugging you so much!

Just want to assure myself I can look after them before I get them.
_________________
www.dafoot.co.uk

[Peter Parrot]

You are not bugging me or anyone else in the slightest! Ask as many questions on here as you need to. All your questions are good sensible questions . Hopefully the chap that you see on Sunday will be able to shed some more light on it for you.
_________________
YSBRYDOLI POBL, GWELLA LLEOEDD
INSPIRING PEOPLE, IMPROVING PLACES
www.btcv.org
Visit our website - Gwelwch ein Gwefan
www.btcvcymru.org
Llinell Gymorth / Helpline: 08702 40 48 41