Crested Gecko Care Advice?

Doggywhisperer · May 2009

Ok, so, I'm not a total newb... I know not all lizards eat bugs, many are nocturnal, some are diurnal, and they shed etc.... But, I have an empty tank (small, 10 g) because my hermit crabs died

and I'm going to fill it with something that's not underground all day/night. So, lizards! You can skip the above.... Ok, I have an empty 10 gallon from my hermit crabs. I want a lizard. My brother has a gecko, so I know basic care. I HAVE SETTLED ON CRESTED GECKOS. I'm going to the store this weekend to get more info, and a fish or 2. Advice on substrate, deco, how often to feed, what to look for when buying etc... needed!

AshleeBrooke · May 2009

Not many lizards can live in a 10 gallon tank happily. Leopard Geckos, Fire Belly Newt, Fire Belly Toads, Green (or Brown) Anoles, or if you're into frogs (although they are not reptiles). Not many small lizards like to be held. Some are way to fast and jumpy. xD Trying to think of some other things. If any pop in my head I'll let you know.

Doggywhisperer · May 2009

I know 10 gallons is small, but I put about $50 into just the tank and cover, so that's what it's going to be. As I mentioned, it was originally for hermit crabs. Thanks for the advice, I've looked into anoles, but handling was very mixed. Some say no way, others said yes, they love it. I need a definite yes. I'm going (hopefully) to the store this weekend to get a fish or 2, and I'll talk to people there... LOL, I've got fish, a dog, my brother's lizard and soon mine! FUN FUN FUN!

Kazuko · May 2009

10 gallons seems awfully small for lizards. D= I'd personally use it for fish, newts, or frogs. xD I don't know many kinds of lizards that like to be held that are suited for that small of a tank.

Doggywhisperer · May 2009

According to all this, my crestie still seems decent. I've read they like tall habitats, and mines regular, but I can work wonders with deco! Just give me bark, vines etc... from the store, and he/she won't know the difference. You can keep 1 in a 10 g. I've read 2 somewhere, but I wouldn't. 1 is OK for me!!! I have fish, and you can't hold frogs. They are cute though, thanks! Anyone have info on cresties?

Pandalove · May 2009

A 10 gallon tank is way too small, lizards like space, I use a 55 gallon for mine, (I have a collard lizard) and only use a 10-20 gallon tank for travel uses, and most lizards require insects to eat, and they need thier diet changed often. My lizard hates her small tank, she gets grumpy, becuase she likes to run around, even though she is tiny.

Doggywhisperer · May 2009

Thank-you, and I understand that a 10 g is small. But, an 8 inch lizard doesn't need a 55 gallon, though that would be cool. I'm looking at using a current tank, not buying another. Cresties climb, so I'm going to get lots of climbing things to make the cage seem as big as possible.

Kazuko · May 2009

Er. Just because you CAN keep something in a small cage, doesn't mean you should. Just because you can keep a dog in a dog-crate, doesn't mean you should. Just because you can keep a small child in a closet doesn't mean you should. =p

Pandalove · May 2009

Mine is only 9-10 inches or so, she requires a large tank. I would suggest talking to a prefesional, such as a breeder, or the owner of where you are purchasing it from, or even Zoe, she's the reptile expert.

Pandalove · May 2009

Kazuko wrote:

 Just because you can keep a small child in a closet doesn't mean you should.

XD

Pandalove · May 2009

Lizards also are very costly, all together when I purchased my lizard, and cage accsecories, it was over $100, lucky for me I got my tanks for free. I would suggest making sure you have the time, money, and responsibility for taking care of one, they can be more time consuming than dogs. (Not to mention cleaning out the cage often, they require calcium which you can buy at local pet stores, and you need to buy more when you run out, they require new UVB lights often, and much more.)

Kazuko · May 2009

When we kept our baby Chinese Water dragon (at only 5-6" long), we had her in an enclosure that was 4' x 4' x 3' xD Biiig enclosure.

Pandalove · May 2009

Kazuko wrote:

When we kept our baby Chinese Water dragon (at only 5-6" long), we had her in an enclosure that was 4' x 4' x 3' xD Biiig enclosure.

:O People don't realize, that they are a HUGE reasponsibility, ecspecially with an animal you have to hand feed, and make sure it does eat.

MondyFlax · May 2009

Kazuko wrote:

Just because you can keep a small child in a closet doesn't mean you should.

roflmfao. and I agree. a 10 gallon is way too small. My betta fish has a 5 gallon, even he's so small, and he still seems like he would like more room. Now a lizard... I think it's cruel to keep a lizard in a 10-gallon, because even small lizards, like geckos, don't like them. Why rush into buying something you can't properly please & care for...

Doggywhisperer · May 2009

I know they are a big responsibility. I just checked out collared lizards, and they need lots of space, your right! They run at 16 miles per hour. Mine will be climbing, and from what I've read, which is A LOT, a 10 g is fine. So, please stop flaming me about my tank size, and help me with care. I.E, how often to feed, how deep substrate should be, what to look at when buying, etc....

Pandalove · May 2009

You should really study up on all this before purchasing one, I did about a weeks worth of reaserch before and after I got mine. And I even asked questions when I purchased her. (like I said talk to a pro.)

Doggywhisperer · May 2009

I will, and I've done about 3 months worth.... I just like to get real people's advice as well as internet before buying. I did it again for a few days, (now) because a few months ago, I thought my crabs were dead, and started research, but they were not. I confirmed this time.... Yeah, I was already pretty dead set on cresties....

Pandalove · May 2009

We are giving you advice, but you apparently are not listening, we have said several times, a larger tank is required, yes, it's a small lizard, most lizards are small, I was actually going to get a smaller lizard, and I asked the reptile owner how big of a tank it required and she said, a 20 gallon or larger tank. 10 gallons are used for fish or smaller animals, not lizards, and they require reptile tanks, not regular fish tanks. Reptile tanks are different in size, they are taller, and are built different, aquariums are used for fish.

AshleeBrooke · May 2009

If you are seriously considering getting something that needs more room to climb then just a 10 gallon aquarium I suggest you build up. A 10 gallon is not very high at all. Would make it have a lot more room and happier even if it is just a couple feet. Examples: <a href="http://www.petdiscounters.com/c274/Fresh-Air-Terrarium-Top-Enclosure-p8174.html"; target="_blank" class="bb-url">http://www.petdiscounters.com/c274/Fres ... p8174.html</a> I can't find the neat pic that someone did with there tank. I know they made the basic frame out of pvc pipe and lined it with some kind of mesh stuff.

Doggywhisperer · May 2009

I'll consider that when I save money Zoe. I have $0 right now, and owe my bro $10. I have only seen advice on tank size, and I've said I'm keeping the 10. I am asking for actual acre advice. FOOD/FEEDING, SUBSTRATE, HUMIDITY ETC....

Kazuko · May 2009

Here. Actual care advice. DON'T GET THE LIZARD. You don't have PROPER CARE READY FOR IT. SO DON'T GET IT. Good enough? >_>

Pandalove · May 2009

Kazuko wrote:

Here. Actual care advice. DON'T GET THE LIZARD. You don't have PROPER CARE READY FOR IT. SO DON'T GET IT. Good enough? >_>

Hahaa. EXACTLY! Lolz.

MondyFlax · May 2009

Pandalove wrote:

Kazuko wrote:

Here. Actual care advice. DON'T GET THE LIZARD. You don't have PROPER CARE READY FOR IT. SO DON'T GET IT. Good enough? >_>

 Hahaa. EXACTLY! Lolz.

Yeah.. e.e.. Homing is one of the most important thing in ones life.

Imagine if you lived in an extremely small place ...

AshleeBrooke · May 2009

How are you going to buy the lighting/substrate/food/vitamins? If you have 0 dollars? 0_o Eco earth is not cheap nor is a UTH if you have to have one. Maybe you should do research? I only suggested an idea to you if you could only keep the 10 gallon. Try googling Crested Gecko Care or if you want. I belong to a Water Dragon forum and they have a crested gecko part. You could ask on there some questions to people that actually have cresties. Pm me if you want the link.

Doggywhisperer · May 2009

THANK YOU ZOE! And to all you people telling me not to get it, LEAVE THIS POST. If I get the add-on zoe suggested, which would not be needed until it's an adult, as babies don't need as much height so they don't fall and get hurt, my space will be doubled. I am going for this gecko as a present for my birthday, as well as saving from my baby sitting. So thanks. AND FOR YOUR INFORMATION, MY HOUSE IS PRETTY SMALL! Plus, people do live in small houses. Their called apartments/bungalows. Knowing me, he'll be out for 5-10 mins daily. Well, after the first 2 weeks. Then it will be 5 for a week, then 6, then 7 etc... to 10. 15 is the max you can handle for per day.

Pandalove · May 2009

whisperer wrote:

THANK YOU ZOE! And to all you people telling me not to get it, LEAVE THIS POST. If I get the add-on zoe suggested, which would not be needed until it's an adult, as babies don't need as much height so they don't fall and get hurt, my space will be doubled. I am going for this gecko as a present for my birthday, as well as saving from my baby sitting. So thanks. AND FOR YOUR INFORMATION, MY HOUSE IS PRETTY SMALL! Plus, people do live in small houses. Their called apartments/bungalows. Knowing me, he'll be out for 5-10 mins daily. Well, after the first 2 weeks. Then it will be 5 for a week, then 6, then 7 etc... to 10. 15 is the max you can handle for per day.

Just because people live in apartments doesn't make it small, it's enough room for a few people, lizards are very time consuming, and you can't just buy everything at one time and expect it to last, they require calcium, lighting, etc. to be bought when it runs out. and most lizards don't like being handled, my lizard loved being handled until recently, she likes her space. You stated that you did 3 months worth of reaserch, you should know what to get by now.

Doggywhisperer · May 2009

I do know!!!!!! MY BROTHER HAS A LIZARD!!!!!!!! I know they need lighting (read a billion times cresties don't!), I know they need calcium powder for bugs, NOT CRESTED GECKO DIET, I know the add-on will be fine for space, and I KNOW NOT ALL LIZARDS LIKE HANDLING, BUT CRESTIES DO! I'm trying to look into something that does like handling that's not a tree dweller, but with handling being something I want to do, in a 10 g, it's hard OK? I spent 50$ on tank and hood alone, I'm getting a lizard. I can't get a rodent due to my mom, I have fish in a 5 gallon (only 3), and I don't like snakes/frogs, because you can't hold them. Oh, and I don't like spiders.

Pandalove · May 2009

whisperer wrote:

I KNOW NOT ALL LIZARDS LIKE HANDLING, BUT CRESTIES DO!

untrue. my lizard was meant for handling, she doesn't like to be handled as much, in fact she'd rather be left alone, all lizards are different, you can't expect them all to be the same, based on what you read off the internet, it all depends on where you purchase it.

Doggywhisperer · May 2009

I've read that too. I'm also considering white lined geckos... Though I'm pretty attached to crested geckos. I might go to the store tomorrow....

Pandalove · May 2009

whisperer wrote:

I've read that too. I'm also considering white lined geckos... Though I'm pretty attached to crested geckos. I might go to the store tomorrow....

well, good luck with that, take good care of it. it's not what you expect.

Doggywhisperer · May 2009

what's that supposed to mean? I've also looked at panther geckos

Howdy, Stranger!

Crested Gecko Care Advice?

Comments