My recently adopted gecko Artaxerxes is a stubborn one. I did a lot of research and reading before I got her, and thought I had it all figured out. However, she refuses to go anywhere near her humid hide that I made for her. I have used paper towel, soil, and moss and she wont go near it. My tank is 15 gallons with a Under Tank Heater that keeps one side around 90 and the the other around 70. I took out the humid hide, and instead started misting her tank daily (the plants, hides etc) and she has since gone through one shed successfully. So, is the humid hide necessary if she is shedding fine?

She also doesn't go on the "cold" side much at all, and never goes in her "cold hide" (I have been keeping track her footsteps on the sand daily). I have recently been thinking about getting a lamp and a bulb (possibly a 50 watt exo-terra night glo bulb) to make the "cold" side a little warmer, and more inviting for her. Is this a good idea? Any thoughts?

thanks!

First thing I am going to suggest is to get rid of the sand. ESPECIALLY if it is calci-sand.

I would replace the moist hide and stop spraying. Leo's are from a dry area and misting the tank raises the humidity which is just asking for some form of respiratory infection. If you are worried about he shedding then you can let her soak in a warm bath when you notice she is about to shed.

What kind of thermometers are you using?

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I agree with Shell. The sand should go.

If your temperatures are accurate, and your leo is always on one side, its probably just because she likes the temperature there. I would put the moist hide back and stop spraying the tank so the humidity does not get too high.....just because you havent seen her in there doesn't mean she isn't using it at all.

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