frank

Question

gidget   QUESTION: Well, I've been researching some more and frank is an Albino Leopard Gecko. My brother has him housed with a female golden gecko because someone gave him the golden gecko and he only had one aquarium but, I recently bought a 10 gallon aquarium for just frank. I need to buy reptisand for him though. I did not know that you should mix 2 species in a aquarium but, only once  has frank raised his tail at gidget ( the golden gecko) they usually leave each other alone. I still don't like the idea of them living together. If you could give me some info it would be very helpful.

ANSWER: Aw, poor Gidget.  

Please don't keep Frank on sand of any kind.  Sand is not a recommended substrate for leopard geckos, and poses a high risk of intestinal impaction, as captive-bred leopard geckos seem prone to eating their substrate.  This condition can be deadly.  It's best not to take the chance.  Keep him on paper towel, newspaper, or easily-wiped-down slate tile.
Wild leopard geckos live in rocky desert scrubland areas, and would encounter mainly hard-packed soil and hardy grasses in their native land.  They do not live on sand dunes, and sand doesn't provide good traction for their feet.  

These two species could not be more different in their care requirements.  While leopard geckos live in the deserts of Pakistan, golden geckos come from the humid rainforests of Vietnam.

This gecko was most likely wild-caught, unless you were specifically told otherwise.  As a result it may be carrying internal parasites, which will require veterinary treatment.  Since it was housed with the leopard gecko, the leopard gecko may now also have them--a serious problem, as they can build to lethal levels in captivity, due to reinfection.

Here are some care sheets:
http://herptiles.consulnetjdm.dyndns.org:8081/gekkoulikovskicare.html
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?127301-Golden-Gecko-%28Gekko-uliko

Gidget is not the type of animal I would have EVER recommended for a first-time reptile owner.  If you feel you cannot meet her needs (PARTICULARLY her need for a prompt veterinary fecal exam for internal parasites), you should return her to the pet store.  Many pet stores are incredibly irresponsible.  Their employees know nothing about the animals they sell, but will volunteer incorrect information readily.

Unfortunately, Frank may also need a vet checkup within the next 6 months, even if you return Gidget.  The potential damage has already been done, and you will need to make sure he hasn't picked up worms or other nasty parasites from her.

If you do decide to keep her, she will be happiest in a ZooMed or ExoTerra tall vivarium.  I would recommend 18 X 18 X 18 minimum.  The front-opening doors will make you happier, as she will be less likely to slip out and scuttle up a wall (something she will have the ability to do once she's no longer being kept in a desert type setup--you should examine her feet to make sure she has no dried skin stuck to her toes, as it may constrict and cause her toes to fall off.  Her toes should have soft pads that look like the ribs on the underside of a mushroom--these contain microscopic hairs which create molecular bonds with surfaces, and allows the gecko to stick to walls.  If skin isn't shed properly from these, or they get dusty, they will stop sticking, and she won't be able to climb).


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

QUESTION: Thanks again I'm going to get frank set up in his own cage tommorow with paper towel for substrate . I keep it humid in my brothers cage. He uses bark as substrate for both geckos.Thanks for the help, My brother should have done  research but he is stubborn, hopefully I can give frank a better life. Gidget still climbs walls. My brother said that he saw antennas in Gidget's stool but, only once is that symptom of parasite?

ANSWER: No, that sounds like a symptom of incomplete digestion.  That could be caused by digestive issues due to parasites (as can diarrhea and vomiting, which is very serious in reptiles).  It may also be caused by improper temperatures, and stress.


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

QUESTION: Gidget does'nt vomit or or have diarrhea. I do believe she has been stressed out thoough ,and my brother sometimes neglects the temperature (I have been keeping an eye on the temperature and humidity). One more question, I feed them crickets and mealworms. Can you suggest a list of food for the meal worms and crickets? I have been feeding them bread, vegetables and fruit but, I want to be sure.I still need to buy calcium powder for they're gutload.

Answer
Yes, you still need calcium powder--if the insects were to eat sufficient calcium to make up for their high phosphorus level, the calcium would kill them.

Some great foods for gutloading your crickets and mealworms:
dandelion leaves (if you gather them from your hard, wash carefully to remove any possible chemical residue--don't use if any pesticides are used on your lawn).
Dark leafy greens (no plain lettuce, spinach, or cabbages).
Carrot
Tropical fish food flakes
orange

They also make commercial gut-load formulas.  Feeding them a variety of fresh greens and other natural foods will be fine, though.  I wouldn't bother with bread, as it's just grain, and not very nutritious.  (The mealworms normally eat bran, anyhow).  Don't overdo the fruit, as it, too, is high in phosphorus.