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Questions from a potential new gecko owner..

 
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agh100
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Joined: 07 Jan 2008
Posts: 20

PostPosted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 12:57 pm    Post subject: Questions from a potential new gecko owner.. Reply with quote

Hi

I'm new here and thought I could get some advice regarding gecko's.

I'm hoping to get a lizard soon, and think I'm right that gecko's make a good buy for the beginner.
I need something that will be ok to be left over the weekend as I'm often away weekends - so I think that rules out chameleons and other lizard that need daily care?

Anyway a few questions regarding leopard geckos.

If i want more than 1, is it better to have all females (I know cant have 2 males) - or are females not as colourful?

Is there any difference between the all glass vivarium and the wooden ones with a glass door at the front? Apart from the obvious aesthetics.

I was hoping to get a 4ft vivarium, but was told by one shop this would be too large for young geckos is this right?

Where is the best place to buy gecko's? I live in SE London where there is one local reptile shop I know of (crystal palace). Anyone know of any other places round here?

Also is there any other type of gecko that is easy to look after and fairly hardy like the leopard gecko?

Cheers
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Central Scotland Reptiles
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Joined: 20 Feb 2007
Posts: 504
Location: Central Scotland

PostPosted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 1:56 pm    Post subject: Re: Questions from a potential new gecko owner.. Reply with quote

agh100 wrote:
Hi

I'm new here and thought I could get some advice regarding gecko's.

I'm hoping to get a lizard soon, and think I'm right that gecko's make a good buy for the beginner.
I need something that will be ok to be left over the weekend as I'm often away weekends - so I think that rules out chameleons and other lizard that need daily care? A well fed Leopard Gecko should be able to go a few days without food.

Anyway a few questions regarding leopard geckos.

If i want more than 1, is it better to have all females (I know cant have 2 males) - or are females not as colourful? There is no visual difference between males and females as far as colour goes.

Is there any difference between the all glass vivarium and the wooden ones with a glass door at the front? Apart from the obvious aesthetics. I would suggest a wooden vivaria MAY hold heat better. But apart from that it is a personal choice.

I was hoping to get a 4ft vivarium, but was told by one shop this would be too large for young geckos is this right? Again, i would suggest that as a youngster it would 'get lost' in such a big vivaria and it might have trouble catching food items. As an adult this size of enclosure is fine.

Where is the best place to buy gecko's? I live in SE London where there is one local reptile shop I know of (crystal palace). Anyone know of any other places round here? Crystal Palace Reptiles has a very good reputation. I am sure Darren would be able to advise on any new purchase!!

Also is there any other type of gecko that is easy to look after and fairly hardy like the leopard gecko? Personally i would start off with a Leopard Gecko, they are pretty hardy.

Cheers


Hope this helps a little!!! Very Happy
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Fraser Gilchrist
Central Scotland Reptiles - "Finding Beauty in the Beasts"
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agh100
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Joined: 07 Jan 2008
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 2:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the help.

So if I want to keep 2-3 geckos, is there any reason that I would want a male if I'm not breeding them?

How old does a gecko have to be before it is considered an adult?

Can I buy one and add more at a later date or is it best to put them all at once into the vivarium?

Thanks
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Central Scotland Reptiles
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Joined: 20 Feb 2007
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Location: Central Scotland

PostPosted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 3:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

agh100 wrote:
Thanks for the help.

So if I want to keep 2-3 geckos, is there any reason that I would want a male if I'm not breeding them? As you are aware, you CAN'T keep 2 males together. Having said this, there is no guarantee's that 2-3 females will get along. You may experience fighting even between females.

How old does a gecko have to be before it is considered an adult? That is really a matter of opinion. But as a general rule they become sexually mature between 10 - 14 months old.

Can I buy one and add more at a later date or is it best to put them all at once into the vivarium? Again, regardless of when you put animals together, they may not get along. It may be easier to introduce them to a new enclosure at the same time. But then you run the risk that they just don't get along and you will have to separate them, meaning a completely new setup. It really is swings and roundabouts.

Thanks

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arthur cooke
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Joined: 12 Dec 2007
Posts: 71
Location: London,uk

PostPosted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 3:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

hi,Heritage farm nurseries in Wallington, I think this is some where towards your neck of the wood. They only do a small selection of reptiles but it is very clean and animals look healthy. They will get stock in for people to order. Tel 020 8647 5790.
I bought some green anoles from them last week, captive bred and in lovely condition.
A small colony of green anoles would fit your viv very well, as would brown anoles.
I much prefer wooden vivs because you can easily drill holes etc for cables and equipment.
Also it is fairly easy to automate some of the systems, so that you can go away for longer than a weekend, lights can go on a timer, there are automatic spray systems that you can set to a timer.
cheers arthur
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agh100
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Joined: 07 Jan 2008
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 3:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

thanks

i shall investigate anoles and also the place in Wallington!
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