Hi to all,

I have two leopard geckos with have regenerated tails (I adopted them from wildlife rescue). I have several questions about them:

1.) I have read contradicting info about substrates. I'm avoiding sand just to be safe on impaction, but could Bed a Beast also cause impaction? The care sheet I read said that they shouldn't have a 'grainy' substrate. In fact, it recommended paper or cloth as a substrate. That doesn't seem very natural to me. What's your opinion.

2.) How can I tell if one of the geckos has no appetite or is blind? He hasn't eaten much at all, I think 3 worms total since I got him over a week ago. He doesn't chase crickets, and he doesn't notice meal worms right in front of him, nor if I wave them right in front of his nose. He gets around OK, sometimes seems to be looking at his reflection in the terrarium glass. He climbs OK, and can find his hideouts. I do suspect that his nutrition was very poor prior to my obtaining him, so it's no unlikely that he has Vit A deficiency. Could that make him blind? If so, will it reverse once his Vit A is OK? If he really is blind, how should I feed him without traumatizing him? I have reptile formula and syringes, plus a gavage tube I could use.

3.) These guys seem to prefer the cooler end of the terrarium (low 80's), and to come out of hiding more often when I drop the temps for the evening (mid 70's). Is this normal? What, if anything, should I make of it?

4.) Are there any special care considerations given the regenerated tails? Can they lose the tail again? We're being very careful about that, but I'd like to know if it's even possible that they'll lose again.

Thanks for adressing all this. I'm rather new to geckoing, and am really trying to get it right.

Kindly,

Jennifer Gal

Leopard geckos are nocturnal so it is perfectly natural that their activity level increases in the evening. It is also not unusual for them not to feed for a few days after being moved to a new location. Takes a bit of time for them to get settled and feel comfortable.
It doesn't sound like the gecko is blind but just not settled in to his new home yet.

As long as the temperatures are correct the gecko will go to the area where it needs to go. This is the reason for giving a thermal gradient. With a range of temperatures to choose from THEY can get to the temperature they need to be. They do not need to be on the basking temperature all the time.
The safest substate is one that the lizard cannot swallow. Members here keep them on everything from paper to shelf liner to large peices of slate.
Yes they can drop a regenerated tail again. The loss of a tail removes their fat stores so it is important to feed them well

Our caresheet should answer most of your questions.
http://reptileguides.herpcenter.com/...122.html?t=122

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Thanks very much, Merlin. My preference would be slate, because it's natural versus manufactured. Not sure where to get it - I'll check out gardening stores. I imagine the slate would retain heat, which might also be good for the temp variation issue.

Thanks again,

Jen Gal

Try your local hardware stores or gardening stores.

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

If you check into landscaping companies you may also find what you are looking for.
I know there are several places around here that have huge stockpiles of rock for landscaping.
Or if you are lucky enough to be in the right area you could go out and collect your own.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Tile at lowes that looks like earth, sandy colors, are usualy like 59 cents or cheaper.

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