2 New members to the family........

Peta

Super Moderator
Super Moderator
Sep 7, 2006
4,376
19
Today we went out to get Kito a new cage, didn't end up getting one but it seems we did come back with 2 new additions to the family. Andi (Hubby) and Luke (Son) decided they wanted a couple of Leopard Gecko's :eek: I'm not really a reptile person, but after peeping at them from round the corner (well they had snakes in the reptile room) the looked pretty harmless. Now we are having to get the set up for them and wait for our two to come in. If I'm really brave I might get pics when they finally come home. :D
 

darkchi

New member
Dec 6, 2006
788
8
Albany, NY
Parrots
Cricket -C.A.G
I had one that was blind (I always buy the sickly looking ones bacause I feel bad for them) He ended up living for about 9 yrs... died a couple months ago.

If you ever have any questions shoot me a PM I will see if i can help you out :D
 

birdcrazy

New member
Oct 6, 2006
1,063
Media
3
1
Orlando, FL / Austin, TX
Parrots
Misty ~ Cockatiel,
Sidney ~ Jenday Conure,
Paulie ~ Blue Crowned Conure
I'm not into reptiles either but geckos are ok LOL can't stand snakes I actually don't mind like corn snakes and that type but i hate constricting snakes I know they have to eat too but they seem so cruel.
 
OP
P

Peta

Super Moderator
Super Moderator
Sep 7, 2006
4,376
19
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #4
If you ever have any questions shoot me a PM I will see if i can help you out :D

Thanks might just be doing that :D I know nothing about Reptiles and both Andi and Luke are asking me questions :eek: Unless its dogs or parrots thats it I know nothing.

can't stand snakes I actually don't mind like corn snakes

I am petrified of snakes and even garden worms, if anyone comes near me with these I just cry like a baby. :17:
 

Tracy842

Moderator
Super Moderator
Jan 12, 2007
866
Media
2
0
Alberta, Canada
Parrots
Popsicle the Senegal Parrot &
Pepsi the Mealy Amazon
Ahhh Leopard Geckos make great pets!!! I have a reptile home myself, its a bearded dragon and he's my little cuddle buddy. I love snakes I really wanted a ball python but the "fiancee" is frightned to death of snakes. I did manage to get him to old a baby ball python once though. I do know a fair bit about reptiles so any questions just post away.

I had one that was blind

Wow you must of had a hard time with feeding. I guess you managed pretty good if he lived for 9 years!!! :D
 
OP
P

Peta

Super Moderator
Super Moderator
Sep 7, 2006
4,376
19
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #6
Thanks Tracy, they want to get a couple of beaded dragons a little later on. But you may both be getting "HELLLLLLLLLP" messages. Thanks its very appreciated.
 

Christy

New member
Mar 28, 2007
185
0
New Hampshire, USA
Parrots
Hamlet the Sun Conure and Mac the green cheek conure
When I was growing up we had a gecko named Iggy. He lived for quite a while. He was more my brothers' pet, but he wasn't too bad. Liked lots of crickets. I absolutely hate snakes, but this guy wasn't too bad. They kind of just look at you.
 

meghanxx4

New member
Feb 1, 2007
869
Media
6
0
British Columbia, Canada
Parrots
|Cockatiels:Tara and Shylo|
Budgies:Fresca and Domino|
Senegal Parrot: Kayto|
awww i sort of want a gecko but not really. but my mom hates reptiles so i know the answer will be no if i ask for one. aha and im not too fond of reptiles either. its mostly snakes that i hate. i dont mind lizards and iguanas and stuff just snakes mainly.

My town has a fair every summer and this last summer they had a snake thing tehre where you could hole snakes and stuff and my freind was chasing me with it i was like noooooo.

oh and also just this last weekend there was a pet expo( i wanted to go cuz they had some bird peoples there, but im glad i didnt after i heard what im about to tell you)anyway there was a snake exhibit or like booth and people could hold snakes and stuff.Anyway a girl was holding one on her neck and she couldn't get it off of her and she freaked out and passed out. The people tried to get it off of her but it just squeezed tighter and tighter until i think they got it off. Im pretty sure the girl was alright in the end and everything just freaked. This was a regular corn snake too.. large one though. but i find that so creepy. i heard it on the radio when i was coming home from the bird place on sunday.

heres the story on the news site if you want to read it from there:
http://www.news1130.com/news/local/article.jsp?content=20070401_023759_5288


anyways good you got geckos!! they are cool!
 

darkchi

New member
Dec 6, 2006
788
8
Albany, NY
Parrots
Cricket -C.A.G
I have always loved reptiles... it was my thing growing up, after I grew out of the farm fowl stage that is. Birds and reptiles are all in the same family, so i guess that counts :cool: but I'm not going to be getting any more of them, just because I deff can picture my self becoming one of those creepy ladies with all the animals... Kind of like Peta ;) ... just playing

I love snakes I really wanted a ball python but the "fiancee" is frightned to death of snakes. I did manage to get him to hold a baby ball python once though.

I had a ball python once too... they are GREAT!! since I always had my hair up, thats where it would chill out... around my pony tail His name was Fluffy :confused:

Wow you must of had a hard time with feeding. I guess you managed pretty good if he lived for 9 years!!!

Yes, he ate mostly dried blood nat things... (worse smell EVER)
but he loved crickets, that is when he was able to catch them. All and all I think that is what killed him... gave him his every other month treat of crickets and I think the stress of trying to catch them killed him or they ate him alive :( ... I would like to think he died trying.
 

darkchi

New member
Dec 6, 2006
788
8
Albany, NY
Parrots
Cricket -C.A.G
reptiles are one of those group of animals that remind you that our little animal friends need respect...hmmm am I wording this right :confused:
well they remind you that they are more than just pets, they are animals and should be treated as such... no matter how human our little friends are.
I feel like I am preaching here...:p

oh and also just this last weekend there was a pet expo( i wanted to go cuz they had some bird peoples there, but im glad i didnt after i heard what im about to tell you)anyway there was a snake exhibit or like booth and people could hold snakes and stuff.Anyway a girl was holding one on her neck and she couldn't get it off of her and she freaked out and passed out. The people tried to get it off of her but it just squeezed tighter and tighter until i think they got it off. Im pretty sure the girl was alright in the end and everything just freaked. This was a regular corn snake too.. large one though. but i find that so creepy. i heard it on the radio when i was coming home from the bird place on sunday.
 
OP
P

Peta

Super Moderator
Super Moderator
Sep 7, 2006
4,376
19
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #11
reptiles are one of those group of animals that remind you that our little animal friends need respect...hmmm am I wording this right :confused:
well they remind you that they are more than just pets, they are animals and should be treated as such... no matter how human our little friends are.
I feel like I am preaching here...:p

No not at all we all need reminding that our pets whether they be birds, dogs, cats reptiles are just that and are NOT human. I have a tendency to humanise all my Pets, so its great to have that reminder that they are not and should not be treated as such. (Don't think it works too well this end though) :D
 

NicoleN

New member
Jan 15, 2007
500
Media
3
0
Michigan
Parrots
Sisqo & GiGi-DYH & BF Amazons





Snow & Blue-Budgies
I love reptiles! When I was younger I wanted to be a herpetologist, or at least a veterinarian that specialized in reptiles and amphibians, because there seems to be a definitel shortage of those around here.

We had a ball python once, it was my mom's. His name was Mr. Slither and he was so cool. About 5 feet long. My mom used to let him wrap around her neck and stuff, but I have a neck thing, so I'd just let him wrap around my arm or leg. Of course, I always felt bad for the little mice he would eat, so I would set them 'free' in our house. Yeah, my mom wasn't too happy about that. Her and my dad would hunt down the little fella's constantly.
 

Tracy842

Moderator
Super Moderator
Jan 12, 2007
866
Media
2
0
Alberta, Canada
Parrots
Popsicle the Senegal Parrot &
Pepsi the Mealy Amazon
oh and also just this last weekend there was a pet expo( i wanted to go cuz they had some bird peoples there, but im glad i didnt after i heard what im about to tell you)anyway there was a snake exhibit or like booth and people could hold snakes and stuff.Anyway a girl was holding one on her neck and she couldn't get it off of her and she freaked out and passed out. The people tried to get it off of her but it just squeezed tighter and tighter until i think they got it off. Im pretty sure the girl was alright in the end and everything just freaked. This was a regular corn snake too.. large one though. but i find that so creepy. i heard it on the radio when i was coming home from the bird place on sunday.

I heard about this. People should not be holding snakes, especially around their neck if the are gonna be afraid or freak out. Any animal will become scared if a person freaks out while holding it. People apparntly started grabbing the snake trying to pull it off her. If I was a snake I'd grab on tigther as well. Anyways snakes get such a bad reputation as well as other reptiles. I've only been bitten by a couple of snakes, usually by Calfornia King snakes. Don't handle them much anymore. Not once have I ever been bitten by a gecko or bearded dragon. So you're good there Peta. Only reptiles I've been bitten by as been a Basilisk and a Tegu (nasty little guys don't reccomend for an inexperienced reptile owner)
 

darkchi

New member
Dec 6, 2006
788
8
Albany, NY
Parrots
Cricket -C.A.G
I ever been bitten by a gecko

I have!!!... lol
But it doesnt help I was putting my finger in its mouth.. like I said before, i always end up getting the sickliest looking animal... so i was had to hand feed it baby food...
Oh yeah peta they like baby food... well some of them do. I dont remember what flavors.
Oh, wait until there little stripes turn into spots :D
 
OP
P

Peta

Super Moderator
Super Moderator
Sep 7, 2006
4,376
19
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #15
I've always said No to reptiles before as they wanted Snakes or rats, I have such a fear of them that it wouldn't be fair to them for them to be here. With these little guys, I'm sure I'll get used to them soon and until I do Andi and Luke will look after them. They will always be the primary care givers, but I'm sure that as time goes on it will be a case of "Mum can you just do this, just this once":D I'll get used to them soon I think.
 

Tracy842

Moderator
Super Moderator
Jan 12, 2007
866
Media
2
0
Alberta, Canada
Parrots
Popsicle the Senegal Parrot &
Pepsi the Mealy Amazon
I have!!!... lol
But it doesnt help I was putting my finger in its mouth.. like I said before, i always end up getting the sickliest looking animal...

When I hand feed Puff my bearded dragon I gotta get my hand out of the way fast enough or he'll think its some veggies.

Getting your reptile to eat veggies is very important and difficult many times. Mustard greens and Collard greens are great for reptiles, just make sure the pieces are small enough!!!
 
OP
P

Peta

Super Moderator
Super Moderator
Sep 7, 2006
4,376
19
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #17
Getting your reptile to eat veggies is very important and difficult many times. Mustard greens and Collard greens are great for reptiles, just make sure the pieces are small enough!!!

Have to ask this How do you get a reptile to eat veggies? Parrots no problem let them think its mine, that makes it automatically theirs, Reptiles??????

Started my research on them last night :eek: Wow it looks like so much to take in. Thank goodness we didn't pick them up then and there (which we wouldn't do, until everyone has really done research)
 

darkchi

New member
Dec 6, 2006
788
8
Albany, NY
Parrots
Cricket -C.A.G
Have to ask this How do you get a reptile to eat veggies? Parrots no problem let them think its mine, that makes it automatically theirs, Reptiles??????

Started my research on them last night :eek: Wow it looks like so much to take in. Thank goodness we didn't pick them up then and there (which we wouldn't do, until everyone has really done research)


leopard gecko is a little diffrent... since the are desert animals vegitation is rare... and there size makes it hard to "force" (like I had to do) I didnt get the larger breed either. Mine was no larger than my middle finger.. little longer if you consider the tail. Leopard geckos will eat many kinds of live prey items including crickets, mealworms, superworms, wax worms.

CRICKETS

Pros:
1. More active so more stimulating to the geckos.
2. Crickets are nutritionally superior to mealworms, containing more moisture, protein, calcium, and vitamin C than mealworms (information from Grubco).
3. Exoskeleton is thinner, so may be easier to digest.

Cons:
1 . If you buy them in bulk you need to worry about providing food and water for your crickets or they will die.
2 . Uneaten crickets will annoy your gecko, crawling on it or chewing on its toes or tail.
3 . Hungry crickets will often eat gecko feces in the cage, ingesting any parasite eggs or oocysts (stage in the life cycle of coccidia and crytosporidium that is shed in feces; basically an egg). These crickets will now carry these parasite eggs in their stomach, and when the gecko eats these crickets those eggs will hatch inside the gecko, increasing the parasite load in your gecko (see page on lizard health for more about this).
4 . The number of crickets in the cage needs to be limited for the reasons listed above. (#2 and #3), so you need to feed your geckos at least twice a week, if not more often.
5 . They stink!
6 . They get loose.
7. They chirp.

MEALWORMS

Pros:
1. They aren't very active and can't climb or jump, so no escapees.
2. If you buy them in bulk you can refrigerate them for weeks until you are ready to use them, so no worries about providing food and water.
3. They are contained in a dish until they are eaten, so they are not annoying the gecko or eating gecko poop and reinfecting the gecko with any parasite eggs.
4. Since they are not annoying your gecko you can leave a constant supply in the cage, which may allow you to only feed once a week if the food dish is large enough.
5. No chirping, yeah!

Cons:
1. You need to provide a feeding dish for the mealworms, so something else to clean and deal with.
2. The exoskeleton may be more difficult to digest.
3. Crickets are nutritionally better.
4. Mealworms will bury into the sand if they escape from the feeding dish.
5. Mealworms are less active than crickets, so less stimulating as food items.

:D
I used to "dust" my crickets with calcium powder for a little something extra
 

Tracy842

Moderator
Super Moderator
Jan 12, 2007
866
Media
2
0
Alberta, Canada
Parrots
Popsicle the Senegal Parrot &
Pepsi the Mealy Amazon
"Shake and bake" the crickets. I do this every 2 days. Grab a little bag and flick some crickets in along with some calcium powder and shake. Reptiles require Calcium for their bones which crickets and worms don't have much of. Trying getting a dust that also contains D3. You can gut load your crickets, but in some fruits and veggies for them to eat, then when your geckos eat the crickets they will get some of the vitamins.
 

darkchi

New member
Dec 6, 2006
788
8
Albany, NY
Parrots
Cricket -C.A.G
"Shake and bake" the crickets. I do this every 2 days. Grab a little bag and flick some crickets in along with some calcium powder and shake. Reptiles require Calcium for their bones which crickets and worms don't have much of. Trying getting a dust that also contains D3. You can gut load your crickets, but in some fruits and veggies for them to eat, then when your geckos eat the crickets they will get some of the vitamins.

happy-smiley-541.gif
 

Most Reactions

Top