How To Help Clean Gecko Tail After Dropping In Viviarium

Whitney has raised and bred different species of geckos, snakes, lizards, tortoises, and other exotics since 2003.

What to Practice If Your Leopard Gecko Drops Its Tail

In my 5 years of working with leopard geckos, I never had one drop its tail until recently. While changing my hatchlings from my old rack to my new 1, 1 of my tangerine leopard gecko hatchlings dropped her tail. It startled me a bit.

Why Did My Gecko Drop Its Tail?

When transferring my gecko from the belongings container to the new rack, it tried to spring out of my easily. At that moment, I grabbed my gecko with my other hand. Big mistake, because I accidentally grabbed the tail.

The tail quickly started shaking and wriggling, and I immediately thought to put her in the tub so that she wouldn't drop her tail. Well, what I didn't notice was that the tail was already halfway off and information technology was torn halfway through. The second I put my gecko in the tub, the tail flopped right off. I was slightly worried, but I knew exactly what to do. I have been working with reptiles for 5 years.

Day 1

Day 34

First Aid for Geckos

Beloow, y'all will discover pictures of a successfully regenerated leopard gecko tail from day one to day 31. Keep in listen that you may find unlike treatment options, simply the post-obit tips for first aid helped my tangerine leopard gecko hatchling heal upwards and recover nicely.

ane. Remove the Substrate

If you are housing your leopard gecko on loose substrate such as sand, calci-sand, dirt, or wood shavings, yous will want to remove it all and throw information technology in the trash or outside (still you desire to dispose of it). If you leave the gecko on the loose substrate, it will be difficult to keep the wound clean, since substrate can become into the open wound and cause an infection.

2. Ready a Hospital Tank

If you firm the gecko with a mate, yous volition want to gear up a hospital tank with paper towels equally the substrate. Make certain that you have advisable heating and overall housing necessities in the infirmary tank. You want the enclosure to mimic the regular enclosure in gild to reduce stress.

3. Maintain a Proper Surroundings

The key to making sure that your leopard gecko successfully regenerates its tail is to keep the area make clean and to keep the housing at an advisable temperature of ninety degrees Fahrenheit.

4. Feed Normally

Continue feeding the gecko normally, and remove any uneaten crickets after 15 minutes, give or take.

5. Monitor the Wound

Check on the leopard gecko daily, then that you lot can closely monitor the wound for signs of infection. If you lot call up that y'all encounter signs of infection, yous can apply a veterinary-canonical antibiotic.

6. Consider Veterinary Care

If the tail is infected, yous will desire to take your gecko to a qualified reptile veterinary every bit soon equally you tin can. Just make sure that you practise not permit the state of affairs get besides serious before acting on it.

A Regenerated Tail on a Leopard Gecko

Day 5

Scroll to Continue

Read More From Pethelpful

Why Would a Gecko Drib Its Tail in Captivity?

Geckos really don't have to worry well-nigh predators in captivity, unless your cat tin get into the enclosure or you lot are inappropriately housing a small gecko with a larger reptile (this is BAD and yous should separate them). However, pet geckos volition nonetheless drop their tails when they are stressed or threatened.

Common Reasons a Gecko Volition Drop Its Tail

• Bullying from cagemates
• Illness/low immunity
• Being grabbed by the tail
• Stress and fright
• Skin issues and retained skin on the tail
• Bacterial, fungal, or protozoan infections
• Abscess or swelling in the surface area

Why Practise Geckos Drop Their Tails?

Tail-dropping is a defense machinery that helps the reptile escape predators. Many geckos and smaller lizards practise not have any real defense mechanisms like secreting nasty oils when bitten or playing dead when harassed, so they rely on their tails to help them get away from predators in the wild. When a bird, mammal, larger reptile, or any other predator tries to grab at a modest gecko, it can drib its tail to distract the predator long enough to sprint off into safety.

When a small reptile drops its tail, the tail continues to wriggle and flop around (every bit seen in the video) to distract the predator, giving the gecko enough time to find prophylactic.

Always Consider Working With a Veterinarian

While informed starting time aid and at-home care is more often than not fine for experienced reptile owners, if this is your first time dealing with an injured gecko, attain out to your nearest reptile veterinary. Always do what's in the all-time interest of your companion.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author's noesis. Information technology is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinary immediately.

Curious on August 14, 2020:

When they drop there tail can it cause problems like leg swellings and loss of appetite

Cambria Pabon on April 06, 2020:

Thank you for telling me because fell off

bernice on July 12, 2019:

how do you clean its tail if there is sand on it?

AnneL333 on November 02, 2018:

Alex, sometimes their bodies don't think they need the tail anymore, so it doesn't grow dorsum. From my minimal agreement, this is perfectly normal. If you are very worried, I'd suggest a vet phone call at to the lowest degree.

Alex on November 01, 2018:

My Geckos tail autumn of similar v mounths ago and it havent make any progress at reproduce its tail. Im worried that information technology wont grow back HELP

Ronnie Inglis on September 13, 2018:

My leopard gheckos tail is got similar a wound on either ends of the tail how do you care for it

Ameila on Baronial 03, 2018:

Employ papertowels or make clean foam. Practice non include anything loose that could move and become into your gecko'south wounded tail.

Kaz from Atlanta on May 26, 2018:

Most of that "intendance" is silly overkill. Geckos regrow their tails just fine in the wild, without anyone cleaning the stump or keeping them away from the equivalent of substrate.

Oh, and there's mounting testify that neosporin actually is bad for a man wound, much equally it turns out hydrogen peroxide definitely is. So I wouldn't put information technology on a lizard, either. Over again, if the lizard is healthy and well fed (including beingness free to choose what nutrition it really needs), then its own immune system can handle things only fine.

Marcella on September 26, 2016:

My geckos tail barbarous off today and his name is Franko nosotros think he got in a fight with his wife Fregreka because she was property his tail. Or he is starving to decease because he is super skiny and his skin is turning pink but he won't consume!

Briar on Feb 03, 2016:

Y'all should never put any reptile in any sort of fine, loose substrate (ESPECIALLY non sand) as they can swallow the sand and it can become impacted and KILL your reptile (this goes for all geckos, beardies, etc, unless the anima does not constantly lick its surrounding substrate, such as a monitor of any kind.)

emileigh on July 21, 2014:

Ok my gecko droped her tail can they die i have another gecko in there with her and also the other day i droped her and she started flicking her tail but she terminate i idea she was going to drop information technology but didn't till today is that normal?

marcus on Jan 17, 2014:

my gecko dropped his tail a part grew back but now its just difficult please assist

Bon on Baronial 09, 2012:

How lOng does it take my geckos Tail to abound back

leokid21 on June 26, 2012:

my baby leo tail but brutal off today she'due south on reptile rug I only cleaned information technology and put her to soak in warm water now what should I practise

Amanda on May eighteen, 2012:

My cadger was in his cage for a while. i went to get him later on and he didn't take a tail. why?

mel on Apr 04, 2012:

i am going to go a leopard gecko and I am worried about its tail falling off, how do i prevent it? please reply soon.

Ang on March 30, 2012:

my gecko only dropped its tail. Before that he was shaking and twisting his head around when i was holding it; he looked expressionless not moving. Then afterward he was able to stand upwards he walked effectually and and so dropped his tail. he likewise got sand in his eye. I dipped him in h2o simply the eye doesn't expect as articulate equally his other. He also was twitching over again. I put the calcium supplement on his food the same day is tail was dropped. I am going to remove the sand tomorrow and so his tail wont be infected. Should I do anything else to help him out?

studude on March 23, 2012:

How practise i foreclose tail from falling off?

Whitney (author) from Georgia on March 01, 2012:

Remove the sand.

qwejhrbfefef on March 01, 2012:

My gekos tail is falling off and information technology lives in sand. What should I do so it does not get infected?!?!?!?!

Felicia on January eleven, 2012:

my leopard gecko just dropped his tail considering if was getting fed and his woods hut got dropped on him. I merely feel so bad. It never should accept happened. The tail was beautiful. Anyway, should we feed anything differently? Or more often?

VictoriaFrank on January 07, 2012:

my leopard geckos tail hasn't even grown half way back and its been a year is this bad?

Victoria Frank 2019 on Dec 11, 2011:

My leopard geckos tail was dropped about 8 or 9 months agone and its tail grew ok at first but now its simply getting fatter and fatter non longer should I be worried? please respond equally soon as possible

charlene on Nov 22, 2011:

my leopard gecko has fallen off. I recall it was cause my cat was trying to get her and scare her. What practice i do, i take another gecko in the tank and also i have woods chipping in the tankk. Thanks charlene

Vidar on November 20, 2011:

My sis'south gecko's tail fell off yesterday. she doesn't have tank mates. We didn't touch her at all. i want to preserve the tail how exercise I practice that.

Kristen Werner on October 16, 2011:

My gecko is nearly 5 years old. I was out of boondocks for about four days this week and asked someone to take intendance of my house and housesit. When I came domicile, I think they were looking at my gecko because his shelter was moved off of the heating pad that I have for him. When I saw him,a very small role of his tail had fallen off.

Was this just my friend treatment him wrong and scaring him, or was it a heating event from his shelter existence off the heating pad?

Also, I continue a petty bowl of calcium pulverization in his habitat for him to swallow because I read that yous should do that. I also feed him regularly. I don't think that malnourisment is an upshot.

I but don't run into how the tip of his tail could autumn off. I thought the whole thing falls off. What should I practice to proceed it make clean? Will it grow back all deformed and weird?

Thanks.

Whitney (author) from Georgia on September 29, 2011:

It sounds similar a nutrition problem. Is the gecko eating? What substrate are you using? What are the temperatures?

jennifer on September 28, 2011:

My geckos tail has been shrinking and he got discolored whats wrong with my gecko

david on March 29, 2011:

Do you remember its fine feeding a 6-7 inch leo superworms?

DavidLink on March 10, 2011:

My gecko lost his tail about a month ago and information technology is growing dorsum nicely, but now it looks like he is starting to shed - but only on the tail and the skin won't come up off. Any ideas? Should I be worried?

Whitney (author) from Georgia on January 20, 2011:

I would be careful, as yous don't want the gecko trying to climb on it and getting a thorn in the toe.

Leapord gecko on Jan xviii, 2011:

Hey! I was wondering if i could have a live cactus in my muzzle? Im a leapord gecko! And can you lot answer if it is apropiate to have one in my cage. And what i mean about "Apropiate" I mean safe! Please comment back thanks! And (just like a minature cactus not a large one. I mean one like a three inch)

Whitney (writer) from Georgia on January 05, 2011:

There realy isn't any odd blazon of albino. There are three strains, none of which are considered odd. A malnourished gecko may take trouble regenerating, or the gecko's regenerated tail just may not grow back fully. Regenerated tails aren't nonetheless, and not all geckos grow them dorsum the same.

The morph isn't going to lead to vitamin deficiency. A poor diet and improper husbandry would cause illness though.

Erik on Jan 03, 2011:

I bought a leopard gecko that had recently dropped it'due south tail. It'southward been a twelvemonth and it still has not fully grown back. It grew fast at first, but slowed down after some time. Is there anything I tin do? P.S. I don't know if this makes a departure, but it is a odd type of albino. It still has the design and pigment in it'due south eyes, but no color. I forgot the name for it. But could that lead to some vitamin deficensy that could prevent the tail from growing?

Whitney (author) from Georgia on December 31, 2010:

I would keep an center on information technology for now.

Jilli on December 30, 2010:

You helped me when my gecko's tail fell off, and at present I need your help once again. While I was giving Geico water this morning, I watched him lap it upward. I noticed that the front end of his natural language was bright cherry, and so it gradually faded into a soft pink. As well, the part of his natural language was bright ruddy, was a little bigger than the other tongue. Can y'all help me? Thanx.

abby on December 25, 2010:

cheers for the charts, my family and i got a small baby gecko at the pet store. nosotros felt bad for the minor gecko, espescially when i of the pet store workers told us that while cleaning the leo muzzle, the hide fell on him and he dropped his tail he besides got a couple scrapes in his dorsum, head, and jaw. the other leopard geckos in the cage picked on him, and so he could not grow his tail dorsum right abroad. i thought that maybe information technology would not be able to grow information technology back, but these charts requite me LOTS of Promise! thank you again

Whitney (author) from Georgia on November 24, 2010:

If information technology's from one of the breeders, I recommended, it'll be a healthy gecko. Good luck though. $35 is actually a lot for a plain albino.

rania on November 23, 2010:

i sent one of the people an email and im waiting for a reply merely it sounds like they take a really good price thank you and then much. they have an albino for merely 35, only im waiting on a picture to meet if its healthy

Whitney (author) from Georgia on November 23, 2010:

That is odd, as I take seen leopard geckos for sale on those sites that fit your budget. I saw them yesterday. You may need to shoot them an email.

Yes,the terminal is my site, and the 2 leopard geckos that I accept available are the simply two.

rania on Nov 22, 2010:

i didnt detect much in the websites only thanks. im guessing the concluding website is yours. if it is are those the only to geckos you have available

Whitney (writer) from Georgia on November 22, 2010:

Y'all're going to pay more than for emerines and raptors than the other morphs, but depending on the quality of the morph, you lot'll pay more than or less.

You probably won't find a raptor or emerine for $40 or under.

Check out these breeders. They may have something y'all're looking for. I think one actually has Raptors for $twoscore.

world wide web.albinonile.com

www.retributionreptiles.com

www.goreptiles.com

Rania on Nov 21, 2010:

Non any morph in specific, sorry

rania on November 21, 2010:

im looking for whatsoever morph in specific merely information technology has to be a adult female and non to expensive, but i open for whatever kind. And yes that would be helpful.

few morphs that i would like:mack snowfall, blizzard, rainwater, jungle,emerine, stripe,raptor or patternless

Whitney (writer) from Georgia on November 18, 2010:

There are many breeders selling for inexpensive. The higher end morphs may still come with a price over $40, but that all depends on the breeder and the quality of the animal. What are yous looking for, and that will exist easier for me to narrow downward breeders for you.

rania on Nov 17, 2010:

hi, i was wondering if u know a adept breeder or someone who is selling almost whatsoever leopard gecko

morph nether $40

Whitney (author) from Georgia on September 28, 2010:

It is possible... Unless she absorbs them, which is common for showtime time breeders, or if she becomes egg bound.

rania on September 27, 2010:

so maybe a couple weeks till beat lay them rite

Whitney (writer) from Georgia on September 27, 2010:

The female is either ovulating or they are eggs.

rania on September 25, 2010:

i have a home made incubator and yes the right equipment. Theres two white things in her lower belly only they dont like eggs, is information technology organs or something my male person doesnt have it.

Whitney (author) from Georgia on September 25, 2010:

If they are of breeding age and weight, they've probab.y already bred. It can take equally long as a month or more for a first time convenance female to lay her first clutch.

Practise you lot have the incubator and proper equipment ready for hatchlings? They can have up to xvi a twelvemonth with just one mating period.

rania on September 24, 2010:

ok, i accept decided to non get another, but my male hasnt mated with my female yet, when will they, its been a month since i put them together, i havent seen whatsoever eggs

Whitney (author) from Georgia on September 24, 2010:

30 gallon tank has the surface area of a xx gallon tank. It will fit 2 geckos, but is actually the ideal expanse for but one. The trouble is that 30 gallon tanks are taller, which make information technology a little harder to heat.

Plus, go on in mind that geckos prefer to exist housed individually, and they exercise better when housed individually. Your male person will breed with the female, and you won't be able to stop it.

The new gecko would need to be quarantined for at to the lowest degree 30-lx days to ensure that information technology isn't ill and doesn't carry parasites.

Bullying and stress will ever be a concern.

rania on September 23, 2010:

so maybe a 30 gallon tank?

Whitney (author) from Georgia on September 23, 2010:

Neither of those tanks will fit all three geckos. Both a 10 gallon and a 15 gallon is only suitable for 1 gecko each.

Recollect that any new gecko needs to be quarantined for 30-60 days before introducing it to existing geckos.

rania on September 22, 2010:

hi, i accept two geckos, a male and a female person, and i was thinking about getting another, i have a ten or fifteen gallon tank, if i put plenty hides is that good to house them.

Whitney (author) from Georgia on September 22, 2010:

Remove the sand, it can crusade impaction. The pet shop you bought her from has no clue what they're doing. Plus, the sand will infect the newly dropped tail.

At that place's zilch you lot tin can do and no need for medications. Only remove the sand to prevent infection and impaction.

james tasker on September 22, 2010:

hey ive got a babe female lepard geko she has just droped half her tail will she be ok if not is there whatever med's that casn assistance im using sand for her i got her from a shop and they said use sand and he had his in sand aswell

Whitney (author) from Georgia on September 11, 2010:

Without a proper thermometer, y'all can't know for sure whether or not the tank is too cold. Definitely don't gauge. What substrate are you lot using? How long accept you had the gecko? Have you tried another insect other than what the gecko is used to?

cassie on September x, 2010:

hi i have a gecko that dropped its tail and information technology seemed fine until now that i look at him he seems really skinny. his spine seems to stick out more usual. i gave him mealworms and i left them in there crusade he wouldnt eat them right away. i think he ate a few of them cause at that place not all in that location. i have a heating pad in the cage so i dont think hes also cold but idk whats wrong. im afread hes not going to eat enough.

Whitney (author) from Georgia on September 07, 2010:

The gecko could have overeaten or it isn't getting proper temperatures.

Lindsey on September 06, 2010:

a bunch of crickets, sorry

Lindsey on September 06, 2010:

Ok only the other 24-hour interval i also noticed something in the tank at that place was a agglomeration of smushed together and im guessing 1 threw up, what happened?

Whitney (author) from Georgia on September 04, 2010:

Lindsey, I would go along a close center on it, and keep the geckos separate

Christen, information technology's difficult to say what to do other than to just go on an eye out.

Christen on September 02, 2010:

Today was a horrible day in our home. I walked downstairs to find our jack russell terrier had jumped thru the top screen of our 4ftx2ft all natural, self-sustaining terrarium. I walked downstairs to find her frantically digging & running thru the tank - our leopard gecko was upside downward without his tail. Nosotros removed them both immediately. Cleaned our gecko and placed him in a separate clean container back into the terrarium then he can become warmth. He is traumatized - his color is pale and he is not moving much, only is breathing what seems to be commonly. We too are traumatized. Our terrarium is our fav hobby and we infant it and our super awesome gecko. Any advice would be helpful. At that place are no herpetologist available and we are in hopes that we tin nurse our picayune friend back to health. Help us assistance our gecko delight!

Lindsey on August 31, 2010:

He stopped bleeding is he fine at present? He'southward besides not eating its been 3 weeks since ive gotten him, what tin i exercise?

Whitney (author) from Georgia on Baronial 31, 2010:

It could be constipation or parasites. See if y'all can take a fecal sample to a reptile vet to check for parasite.s

Lindsey on Baronial xxx, 2010:

well i found a little red effectually the where he poo's on one.

Whitney (author) from Georgia on August 30, 2010:

If you take them housed together, it could be bullying. It could be parasites. Do y'all see a cut or whatever stale blood anywhere on the gecko?

Lindsey on August 27, 2010:

Howdy Whitney, I recently got a second leopard gecko and its been 2 weeks. Yesterday i institute a drop of blood in the muzzle. Im worried sick and want to find out what happened. the only thing in thursday muzzle was i cricket. What could accept happened

Megan on August 24, 2010:

Ok, Thanks. your information was really useful

Whitney (author) from Georgia on Baronial 24, 2010:

You can utilize paper towels, just moisten them for the humid hibernate

Megan on August 24, 2010:

I use paper towels over sand for my gecko. What substrate should i utilize for my humid hibernate

Whitney (author) from Georgia on Baronial 23, 2010:

The toes are the hardest spots to shed, but with proper humid hide, temperatures, and overall health, the gecko shouldn't have whatsoever problems.

Humidity on a regular basis should be low, but as mentioned in the comments and on my intendance sheet, that a humid hide is a must! It helps ease shedding, but should only be moist when the gecko is going into shed.

https://observe.hubpages.com/animals/Gecko-Didnt-

You can use water instead of the shed aid. It does the aforementioned thing. By buying the shed assistance product, you're but wasting that coin, when water does the same job.

You also have sand in the enclosure which is a nono.

Anna B. on August 22, 2010:

I only help remove the peel when it is soaked in the Sheeding Aid because I know not to pull information technology off. But the skin, even for Geckos that sheed easily, is tricky for them to get off of their toes. My gecko had that problem all the time until I helped him with the Shedding Aid. I only help remove the peel on the toes because the balance comes off fine.I didn't know about the tubberware container function through, I'll try that instead of buying some shedding Assistance, Thanks for the tip.

I don't really sympathize what is needed humidity-wise in the tank. The information sheet I got told me to keep humidity at ten-30, pretty dry. Does humidy effect the shedding process at all, and if so what is needed to help my Gecko?????

Whitney (author) from Georgia on August 22, 2010:

Anna, the sand is a bad choice of substrate to begin with, as the gecko can ingest it and become impacted, which can be fatal. If the gecko has recently lost the tail, the sand needs to exist removed, every bit it tin can infect the wound while healing.

Megan, a healthy gecko will naturally have a fat tail. I've seen some geckos though that naturally don't have a super fatty tail, but are however really salubrious and not underweight. By and large a good for you diet of crickets and/or mealworms will be fine. Make sure that you take a humid hide that is moist when the gecko is going into shed.

Anna, information technology's not safe to pull off the pare unless you lot've soaked the feet and losened the skin. Plus, it'southward cheaper to apply a tupperware container, cut a pigsty in the lid, put moist newspaper towels in it and create a cheap boiling hide. Shed Aid is an overpriced production that is actually a waste matter of money, as water will do the same thing.

Anna B. on Baronial 20, 2010:

Megan, I had the aforementioned problem with my leopard Gecko's shedding. I bought this stuff chosen Shedding Aid and it is like a conditioner for their peel while they shed. Just spray it on them then rub it gently into their skin. However, even with the Shedding Aid, you lot many demand to give her some help. I pick upwardly my gecko and concur him in one mitt while I use twezzers (the small ones yous use on your confront and such) to remove the shedding very carefully. The Shedding Assist even helps to remove stale on sand on the toes of the gecko. Sheddin Aid can probably be found at any pet store and is about $6.00 to $8.00. Dispite the proice it does help the shedding procedure.

Megan on Baronial 20, 2010:

My gecko has been having trouble getting the shed off her toes and her toes have been falling off. she doesnt have claws any more than too. What can i practise to assist her?

Megan on August twenty, 2010:

How-do-you-do,

I was wondering how to get a really fat tail for your gecko. i know a lot of people who feed there geckos meal worms more than crickets and they have super fat tails. Is that better for them?

Anna B. on August xx, 2010:

Hi, I have a leopard Gecko that lost his tail and it healed back wonderfully, the only problem is that when he gets the new tail wet the sand will stick too it. When I become the stuck sand off with a skin conditioner it is a piddling encarmine. Does this mean that he can no longer accept sand in his cage because his tail is and so soft that if it go'southward wet the sand will harden onto it.

Whitney (author) from Georgia on August xvi, 2010:

Throw information technology out. There's no need for information technology to be in in that location.

amy on August 16, 2010:

what exercise u do with the tail once it has fallon off and its wigerling around ??

Whitney (writer) from Georgia on August 09, 2010:

I'd just leave it alone.

Lynda on Baronial 06, 2010:

is temp ok in the 90's 24hrs or practise I have to figure out a way to lower information technology during the night?

Whitney (writer) from Georgia on Baronial 05, 2010:

Lynda, I didn't think 78F was correct. Ha. You may want to prop upwards the reptile carpeting with something, like effort putting another piece of carpet downward or adding some newspaper towels under the carpet where the UTH is. This will assistance create a buffer betwixt your gecko and the heat. You lot want the temperature to be betwixt 85-92F, which 90-92 ideal.

Kirstin, practise you see anything in the optics? Like skin or annihilation that may be causing the eyes to stay closed? Are they puffy? Do they have any discharge? Yous may want to do a lukewarm soak a few times a week, and try to loosen whatsoever skin around or in the eyes. It may become infected, which you'll need to have a vet check out the gecko.

Definitely add a humid hide to the enclosure which will make shedding easier for the gecko.

Kirstin on August 05, 2010:

You seem to know a lot well-nigh reptiles... I was wondering if you know what to exercise when your gecko doesn't open it's eyes. Apparently, my husband said that he didn't know that information technology needed more than moisture when shedding information technology'due south pare and now it'south eyes won't open. He'south been following the recommended saline solution centre drops, but it hasn't corrected the problem. We're going on over a week now with this issue and I don't call up it's eating because it tin can't see. Any suggestions?

Lynda on August 05, 2010:

I did only that and now the probe is more than in the middle of the heat pad. Big difference! Unfortunately when I got upward this morning it read 100.4!! My leo was in her boiling hide and I unplugged the heater. That sounds a little high. I idea I should let it cool down. Can a person put a thermostat on these heaters?! Matbe I need a buffer? I thought the temp extremes were seventy-90 degrees.

Whitney (author) from Georgia on Baronial 05, 2010:

Effort lowering the probe to see if full contact volition get a ameliorate reading. If the temperatures are nonetheless below 80F, you'll need to find another heat source, such as the estrus bulbs.

Yous can provide calcium in the worm dish, that will be fine. You'll but have to change it a little more oft.

Lynda on August 04, 2010:

daytime temp is reading 78.5 correct now merely I also have the crimson light on (careful not to telephone call it a estrus lamp, but your are right, that's what they call em!). I had checked belatedly at night so it had been on for over 6 hours. UTH takes up about 1/4 to 1/iii of the tank on the bottom. Perhaps my probe isn't positioned correctly. I take it pointing down onto the carpet and touching it, but it is suctioned to the side at the same time. Maybe not plenty of the probe is touching the target? Information technology's really just the tip. Seedling is a 50w infrared. I have seen the ceramic ones y'all speak of.

How'due south almost that calcium? separate dish or ok with the feed worms?

Whitney (writer) from Georgia on August 04, 2010:

Reptile rug is perfectly fine. The ruddy bulb isn't manufactured to increment temperatures, and information technology's not a estrus lamp. Lights are just to provide lighting; the truthful oestrus lamps do not produce lighting and are ceramic curlicue. The UV bulbs produce more heat than a regular light (fifty-fifty those that are labeled as basking lights), but those aren't necessary for leopard geckos.

Is the UTH appropriately sized for the tank? Information technology should cover about 1/4-1/3 of the tank. Sounds like you have a 20 gallon long tank, so a 10-20 gallon zoomed uth would suffice.

It is odd that it's reading and so low. How long did the probe stay at that place before information technology wouldn't top over 75?

Lynda on August 03, 2010:

ok, I went shopping. Purchased an UTH, small, (my tank is 24"Fifty x 12" W x 14" H. Also got a hide with moss. Made the moss slightly damp and put it on the warm side of tank. Got a digital thermometer, and put probe on the bottom. Problem: The surface temp is e'er about 75 degrees. I put the red heat lamp on during the day merely that doesn't necessarily increase the substrate temp (I use reptile carpet) Is that ok and will my leo seek the warmer temp upwardly higher nearer the heat lamp? Yes he can climb up onto wood to savour. Likewise, can I leave some calcium powder in the feed dish (I have a baby that is eating mealworms that are dusted)so that even after the worms are eaten, at that place is still powder in there or does it need a carve up "basin" too?

Whitney (author) from Georgia on August 03, 2010:

It's an nether tank heater, so you desire to put it under the tank. They can't run into ruddy, then it's not bothering the gecko. Information technology'southward doubtful that the calorie-free is putting off enough heat to touch what the gecko is feeling on the surface of the tank. You lot want to use a digital thermometer with a probe to monitor the surface temperatures. There is a link above for care, as well as another for setting up an enclosure.

Lynda on Baronial 02, 2010:

The UTH goes under the tank itself or nether the carpet substrate? (pitiful, new at this!) The heat lamp is a pet store purchase, typical red light of 50w. It gets the temp up but I am worried most the constant carmine light for at night. Also, I assume I but want to "heat" half the tank.....then not the side where the food and water are located?! What I don't have is the damp moss "hut" that is recommended....my leo is a infant and then I assume that is quite important for it'south shedding. Tin you tell me what the best gear up is for that and/or misting requirements?

thanks

Whitney (author) from Georgia on August 02, 2010:

The UTH is all-time for leopard geckos, and y'all won't need the oestrus lamp at all. You lot want to make certain that the surface of the tank is around 90F, not necessarily the air. Any sources of light should be shut off at dark around the same fourth dimension each nighttime, if information technology'southward just a truthful estrus bulb, it won't produce low-cal, and more than probable, you lot'll need information technology on throughout the solar day/night during the winter. I would suggest a timer, if information technology's a light. I would advise the purchase of an under tank heater.

Lynda on August 01, 2010:

we just brought our babe leopard gecko home and don't accept a rut pad. We accept a rut lamp, but hubby says but to accept it on during the day. Is that appropriate? Still summer here only what do nosotros do when the atmospheric condition changes: keep lamp on all the time? go a heat pad?

Whitney (author) from Georgia on July 30, 2010:

I don't see why the tail would shribble upward similar that. Keep an centre on the prolapse, as you may have to take the gecko to a vet for proper correction. Sometimes low-cal prolapses can be corrected at home, only severe prolapses may need surgery.

lucca on July thirty, 2010:

i forgot to mention, I just adopted him from a friend 3 weeks ago who just moved back to United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland so the only info I have about leopard geckos is what i take notice through the cyberspace and the odd weeks of pet sitting, I dont know any history on him or how old he is just that he is yellow, spotted, five inches long and named spike, ordinarily i give him 7 worms a twenty-four hours (equally told) and unremarkably he eats them and once a week i milkshake the worms in vitamin and calcium pulverization....I really enjoy my leos company and promise for a happy healthy strong life for him, merely i am scared that he is really not doing well...should i exist worried nearly his current situation???? (written above)

thanks Lucca

Lucca on July 30, 2010:

I am not certain but I recall my leo had a prolapse, i noticed for a couple days it looked similar there was sand stuck to it just nether his tail past the back legs and his tail seemed a picayune shriveled, And so I put him in a big container of luke warm water just enough to embrace his trunk but not his caput and maintain the temp for about fifteen mins and switched the sand to paper towel. when i put him dorsum into his tank there was some traces of blood but information technology looks as though his prolaps fixed its self, merely his tail is still shriveled a tiny bit....anything i tin can do

Whitney (author) from Georgia on June 17, 2010:

They are nocturnal, so you probably won't see the gecko out and nigh. Can y'all attach a pic? I'grand non really sure what y'all're describing.

Meag on June 16, 2010:

We have a large leopard gecko in my shop and he is in a habitat by himself. He rarely comes out from his hidey-hole and then Im not sure what has stressed the poor guy, if in fact thats what is going on. His tail is extremely swollen and purple (it wasnt this purple before). Information technology looks like information technology might explode! Is this a precursor to his tail dropping or is something bad going on? Any help would be so much appreciated! Ive already learned then much from your info, thanks!!

Source: https://pethelpful.com/reptiles-amphibians/Leopard-Gecko-Dropped-Tail

Posted by: robinsonfidlen1956.blogspot.com

Share this post