first leopard

[jcrunk]

i got mt first leopard today.. any advice???

 

[sclevenger08]

What kinda advice you looking for??

 

[jcrunk]

just tips and tricks to krrpp them fat and healthy... feeding houding ect...

 

[sclevenger08]

Umm, I don't want to sound mean....but shouldn't you have learned about housing and feeding before you bought it??

But, DON'T try to keep them on sand, even if they are older in my opinion. lol. I tried and within a week my adult leo was suffering from impaction. She's all healthy now.

I feed crickets and mealies...My Leo is fat and happy...lol. I actually posted on here asking if she was too fat..lol.

 

[jcrunk]

ok high speed.. i did some homework first! i was just lookin for a lil advice on things that "care sheets" might not have... ive had reptiles longer than today or yesterday... you dont need u to be snotty, that what this forum is here for... but im glad we have an expert herp here.... i now know were to get all advice from.... hey hommie were did you get your degree from?

 

[reptastic]

just tips and tricks to krrpp them fat and healthy... feeding houding ect...

i was just lookin for a lil advice on things that "care sheets" might not have...

i think your original post was a little misleading you should have stated the second statement the first time, no need to get defensive!

 

[sclevenger08]

I wasn't being snotty....I was asking, please go and re-read what I wrote.

Then afterwards I gave some advice about things that I've encountered with my two geckos.

If I was being snotty I don't believe I would have done that, do you??

 

[jmwgibson56]

Jcrunk, you need to check yourself bro. no need to freak out. She had a point for being concerned, your original post was vague enough to be confused with an irresponsible action. There's no room in this forum for talk like that.

 

[kaa]

Lets not turn this into another heated thread. Jcrunk, you did ask for info on feeding, and housing. Two of the most important things to know about before getting any animal. I don't think Sclevenger meant any harm by what she said. Everyone needs to relax.

As far as feeding, the crickets are good, I have heard they have trouble with meal worms because of the hard exoskeleton. You could also try small roaches, and wax worms. Make sure to dust them with a calcium powder. Preferably without d3.

For housing, a 10 gal will be good for a small one, and a 20 for a large one. I'm not sure if they require UVB or not, but it couldn't hurt. Stay away from sandy substrate(sand, Calcisand, walnut shells) I recommend paper towel. Give lots of hides, and a humidity hide is good too. Not sure on the temps, maybe high 80's/low 90's on the hot side, and mid 70's on the cool. Fresh water. Any more questions, feel free to ask.

 

[chelvis]

When i breed my leo geckos (turst me they can be addictive) i had 65 leos at once and used a rack system and yes paper towels work the best. There is no need for a UV light they dont typically bask as they are nocturnal. When i had a large group hatch out i used peat moss on half of the tank just becuase it helped keep the humidity up. They may be desert animals but juviniles often get dehydrated thats why the ones in petco on sand look so sick sometimes.

For adults a humidity hut works better as they don't shed as much as babies. Oh a note on shedding if you don't find the shed don't panic they eat it, some people don't know this and start to think their leo isn't shedding.

Stay away from wax worms, they are like crack to leos and it can give them fatty liver, i had a few breeders pass awya becuase all they would eat where wax worms. May main stable was mealworms (gut loaded) and then i used a few roachs and crix every now and than. My females after breeding would often get a pinkie mouse to help with calcium lose.

If you want a community tank i suggest all females and no male, other wise you'll end up with a male that wont eat. He'll be too busy chasing the ladies which can actully kill him and hurt the girls.

If you got any other question just ask. I went the opossite direction you're going, i went from geckos to monitors and tegus. Good luck and have fun with it!

 

[kaa]

Thanks for that information Chelvis, I have no clue how to keep leo's. I was just guessing.

 

[chelvis]

hey no problem, everyone likes to knock them as being an easy pet (compared to some animals yes they are) but alot of info out there is way off. UVB won't hurt them at all so no big deal. Having worked so long in pet stores i try not to over load people with things they really don't need. I also know that the care sheets they offer are terible, such as a spot light being the best way to heat them. In a house that is well regulated to be comfortable temp an under tank heater is the best way, they are more likly to us it than bask. But what ever, lol.

Hey Kaa you should set up a ten gallon and get one, they are great! jk jk.

 

[kaa]

I had one for about a week as a rescue, but then I gave it to a friend who's bearded dragon had just past. They look cool, but I like pets that I can interact with.

 

[JohnMatthew]

The biggest problem I see in petstore leo's is humidity needs not being met. Like Chelvis was saying, especially with small ones, you need to watch out or you're going to get some retained sheds on the toes and end up with a bunch of leo's named stumpy. I gave a juvenile to my 6 year old nephew for christmas and it does fine with them adding a moist hide during sheds. If you do see sheds not coming off the feet/tail try using a wet q-tip or if you have steady hands a small pair of tweezers(the ones from swiss army knives work great).

 

[jcrunk]

thanx john... that was the kinds of things i was wondering about... you dont really get info like that off of care sheets

 

[josabmartin]

I do not want to sound mean. but should not you have learned about housing and food before buying. But do not try to keep them in the sand, even if they are older, in my opinion. lol. I tried and in a week, I read adults with retention. Everything is in good health now.

 

[brutus13]

Chelvis pretty much said it all. I use repti carpet and I have humidity box full of moss for when they shed. I do use the under tank heat pad but I found that not to be enough. So I use a very small black light and they seem to love it ( my house gets really cold at night). Mine are pretty picky eaters so crickets is all they eat. I have 2 females in a 20 gallon. They really don't require a lot of space! Also like chelvis said if you get a male and leave him in with a bunch of females he will end up getting really weak. Good luck