Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[beege_3]

Hi guys, next week I will be picking up my first Crestie. He / she is only between 6 & 8 weeks, so I dont want to put him in a big vivarium straight away. I have bought a large faunarium for him, until he grows abit and we move house!

I know cresties love to hide amongst branches etc for security, so I want to decorate with a few vines, fake plants, and a half coconut shell. I was just wondering how can I back this faunarium, to shield some of the light coming in?

Ive heard the best way to pick youngsters up is by placing your index finger underneath their chin, and gently lifting up - how often should they be held?

Is size 2 crickets okay for him? Or should it be size 1's? Also, I have bug grub, should I gut load them?

In that size faunarium, how much should I spray for humidity? What substrate does he go on? I know paper towels are said to be best, but is that the only substrate?

Erm, thats all I can think of for now, but if you think of anything else that may be useful, then that would be great. I will be moving house in the next few weeks hopefully and thats when he will go into his bigger vivarium. I must stress that this is solely a temporary measure.

Thanks Bryan & Nat

[Scott W]

I know cresties love to hide amongst branches etc for security, so I want to decorate with a few vines, fake plants, and a half coconut shell. I was just wondering how can I back this faunarium, to shield some of the light coming in?

So long as it's dark at night and DOESN'T receive direct sun light I wouldn't worry about darkening the back of the viv, although if you wanted to just use blackened card.

Ive heard the best way to pick youngsters up is by placing your index finger underneath their chin, and gently lifting up - how often should they be held?

I rarely hold any of my geckos but when I do they are perfectly tame and fine to handle. I wouldn't recommend holding one less than 10-12 cms, and then always try to let them walk onto you.

Is size 2 crickets okay for him? Or should it be size 1's? Also, I have bug grub, should I gut load them?

Yep size 2 sounds fine, and gut loading is always good

In that size faunarium, how much should I spray for humidity? What substrate does he go on? I know paper towels are said to be best, but is that the only substrate?

I use 3" of compacted damp peat, this is firmly pressed down and then I spray or drip water thru the viv each night for 5 minutes. The cage is dry by the next day but the peat remains damp.

Enjoy your gecko Bryan & Nat, best of luck.
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Please DO NOT pm orders for reptiles, send email instead scott@captivebred.co.uk

[beege_3]

Thank you for the great advice Scott. The substrate I have got is the expanding brick of coconut bark. It holds moisture really well, I haven't really saw him eat but have just put in some CGD is there any way of monitoring their eating habits?

[Scott W]

not easy to monitor how much CGD is eaten, best way is to just watch and see that he's always active and 'filled out' looking.

Just a warning on the substrate issue, it is important to make sure that what ever you use is not loose or flaky as they can get it stuck in their mouth if they land on it or as they try to hunt crickets. That's why I point out that mine is really well compacted down so that unless they actually stuck their head into it they won't get the peat in their mouths.

Most people would recommend only using tissue paper to completely elimate that risk but since I started compacting my substrate down I have reared 100's of babies without problems.
_________________

Please DO NOT pm orders for reptiles, send email instead scott@captivebred.co.uk

[beege_3]

Thanks again Scott, Ive noticed that he seems to have little clumps on his pads and that seems to be affecting his climbing. Ive also noticed he is spending a hell of a lot of time on the floor. I'll go and compact it down.

Thanks for the advice, we live and learn.

Bryan

[beege_3]

Thats it compacted down, I also held him for a bit and he seemed pretty calm which is great. I've just one more question.

If the side of the viv is wet, will that affect his ability to "cling" to the wall..?
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2.3 Leopard Geckos Coming Soon
0.1. Crested Gecko 1.2 More Leopard Geckos
2.0 Corn Snakes 0.1 Gargoyle Gecko
1.2 Royal Pythons

[Scott W]

yep they will have trouble climbing wet glass or plastic.
_________________

Please DO NOT pm orders for reptiles, send email instead scott@captivebred.co.uk

[beege_3]

Just fed the little guy, and he was straight in there hunting away. So alls good.. Really chuffed now..
_________________
2.3 Leopard Geckos Coming Soon
0.1. Crested Gecko 1.2 More Leopard Geckos
2.0 Corn Snakes 0.1 Gargoyle Gecko
1.2 Royal Pythons