Just got a crestie

**bexter94** · 12-17-2011, 10:27 PM

Hey

i've had my gecko 4 two days now, i've put in its dish Komodo complete diet for crested geckos. but it doesn't seem to have had any. is he just stressed or will he start eating soon? i was jw what to do if he doesn't start eating within the next couple of days? i don't want him dying :/ maybe he's just fussy? i heard they like grapes so i put half a grape in too.
suggestions anyone?

**88geckos** · 12-17-2011, 10:34 PM

well how old or how big is it? what size is the cage? do you have lots of hiding places? no need for grapes, switch to repashy crested gecko diet or clarks gecko diet, and dont handle for the first week or 2. any pics of the little guy and his set up would be helpful too! also whats the temp in the house and in the enclosure?

**bexter94** · 12-17-2011, 10:38 PM

its 3 months ish, dunno what size the cage is but itsa bigger than the minimum requirements, there is a hide and some plants in there, i thought a grape would be a nice treat, it was lciking it for a while :P the person i got him off gave me a light and heat mat with it and said keep the heat mat on 24/7 and the light on from 9am til 9pm every day. its not too cold in our house, and the enclosure seems warm enough to me, the soil is nicely heated. but i'm thinking of buying a thermometer just in case

**88geckos** · 12-17-2011, 10:51 PM

well first off being warm enough for you isnt what we are worried about lol, try using paper towel instead of soil till the gecko is around 15grams. i sugest getting a 15 or 25watt exoterra night blue bulb and leaving that on 24/7 (that works for me) and maybe a small wattage coil shaped bulb from home depot for day and night cycles. make sure there is places to hide other than the ground, using cork bark rounds work well for that. the grap doesn't give much nutrition. CGD gives everything the gecko needs and always seems to work well. deff get a thermostat and hygrometer! and if you are not sure of anything just try these links

http://www.reptilechannel.com/care-s...ted-gecko.aspx
http://www.bigfatgeckos.com/crestedinfo.html

**Nook** · 12-17-2011, 10:54 PM

If you are keeping a three-month old Crested in a "bigger than minimum" - Do you mean bigger than a minimum hatchling cage, or adult cage? A 3 month old will need something the size of a shoebox (plastic bins work the best) As already stated, only feed CGD, they do not need anything else, regardless of what you have already been told - even more so if the person is telling you to use a heating mat and a light. They do fine at room temperature, and do not require extra heating unless your house gets insanely cold, which it shouldn't if you keep it warm for winter. I would also suggest against using soil, and use paper towels. They are easier to monitor to see if the little one is pooping (and if he/she is pooping, he/she is eating) and to avoid the possibility of ingesting loose particles.

Any photos would help us get the little guy/gal situated. There are also several other threads started about how to set up a hatchling/juvenile/adult enclosure, what to and what not to use, etc. A little research goes a long way, even moreso when it comes down to you caring for another life, and they have to rely on you and you alone.

**bexter94** · 12-17-2011, 10:55 PM

i was worried about the heat for the gecko not me.
well this complete diet thing i bought says its got everything it needs too. thanks for the links

**88geckos** · 12-17-2011, 10:56 PM

bump: using a smaller enclosure is always safer when getting a new gecko adjusted! for a gecko that size i use a 5.5 quart or 6 quart plastic bin with about 20 small holes in the top and 4 on 2 of the sides and sometimes taping the sides helps to make them feel more secure. paper towel on the bottom a pic of cork bark or 2 and a small fake plant.

**bexter94** · 12-17-2011, 10:58 PM

yeah i know that, well i can only do what i've been told to do off the person i bought him off, its not exactly my fault. and i'm feeding him something that is a complete diet for crested geckos. the enclosure is 24x18x24
i wondered about the soil but the woman said that would be fine, but obviously not, i'll get onto it

**bexter94** · 12-17-2011, 10:59 PM

actually its a little smaller than 24x18x24. i don't have tape measure on me

**88geckos** · 12-17-2011, 11:01 PM

Originally Posted by bexter94

i was worried about the heat for the gecko not me.
well this complete diet thing i bought says its got everything it needs too. thanks for the links

didnt mean to sound like an ass just being sarcastic

and the diet may have everything but it isn't proven like CGD and doesnt' mean the gecko will eat it. glad we could help and deff just follow what we tell you and you will have a happy/healthy little gecko!