Leo Cage Advice

Question
QUESTION: Hi. I'm getting a leopard gecko for my birthday. I have looked up all the specifics and have everything in place. I just want to make sure everything is ready before I receive one. It's going to be a small baby one.
I have a ten gallon tank carpeted by the artificial grass stuff they sell at L%26L Pets and Petco. It fits the bottom of the tank perfectly and I washed it out before I put it in. On the left side of the tank I've positioned a small under-tank heating pad. Above it, I have a hollow plastic rock with a ton of large holes in it, which I washed with steaming water. In the middle I have a regular Tupperware container with the peat stuff inside, and I've misted it. To the right I have a hollow half log hide from L%26L Pets. Over there I also have a water bowl and food bowl which I plan on putting mealworms in, and a wide clean stick leading up to the top of the Tupperware container to make sure he can reach it. I placed a screen top on the tank with a locking system so if a cat manages to get into my room, it won't get my gecko.  would put more inside of it, but I don't want to overcrowd the cage.By the way, when I get food, should I get crickets, mealworms, special gecko food or a combination? My red eared slider has a really mixed diet, but I've been having trouble finding info as to what is the best thing to give my gecko. I'm guessing I would want a mix of things, but I want to make certain.
I'm already very good with reptiles, and so I am hoping I've done enough research. If I'm missing anything or you have any advice, it would be greatly appreciated.
-Cristan

ANSWER: Hello Cristan,

Good that you are researching ahead of time before you get your leopard gecko.  
The hide/cave is great, being that it is on top of the undertank heater, he will love that.  I would put some peat moss in the hide/cave on top of the undertank heater too, & mist that daily to help the humidity levels increase more.  That will help with shedding.
If you want, you can still leave the peat moss in the plastic tupperware container in the middle of the tank too, that is fine.  Just give him a choice so he has enough humidity when he is shedding.
One thing you can add is a low wattage basking light on the end that the under tank heater is on, to help get a basking spot of around 88-90 for him.  Just use a clamp light with a regular house hold light bulb, is fine.  You can turn that off at night & just leave the undertank heater on 24/7.  
They are very good about drinking from a water dish so putting a stick that he can climb up on to go drink & eat is a great idea.
The locking screen top with a cat is a must!  That is great you had the insight to think about that before an accident happened.  
There is plenty of things in there for your little gecko, he will be very happy.  
You can use a variety of mealworms, waxworms, phoenix worms, crickets & the gecko diet.  Of course, you don't have to get all of those.  Just alternate between a couple of them, then switch out from time to time.  
Be sure to post pictures of your new baby when you get him or her.

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------


Leopard Gecko   QUESTION: All right, thanks. He's adjusted well. So far I've only taken him out a few times, but have gotten a handle on his personality. He's pretty slow in moving (not that he's cold; he's just making sure of his footing) and seems to always be making his mind up about something. If you could, I'd like if you could ID his morph. From what I've looked up, I think he's either a Jungle or a Rainwater. Oh, and by the way, I named his Isaac...Isaac Newton =)

Answer
Hello Cristan,

Isaac Newton, huh?  That is cute.  So, he is all settled in then?  He is beautiful!
Well, he looks more like a jungle morph to me.  It is hard to tell when they are young, because their markings can change as they become older & into adulthood.  
Here is a site that has a lot of the different morphs on it, that you can look at, too.
http://www.geckosetc.com/htm/morphs.htm

Oh they do have a slow & deliberate movement especially when they are in a new environment.  They are very observant as well, so, make sure & not move anything in his tank because he will definitely notice!  They can stress fairly easily.
I hope he enjoys his new home!  :-))

Tracie