Pet Gecko
Tips On Proper Pet Gecko Care
If you are considering getting a pet gecko, here is a quick introduction to the creature and its needs. The terms gecko actually refers to nearly 800 different species and these can be broadly classified under four categories which are Diplodactylinae, sphaerodactylinae, Eublepharinae and Gekkoninae. The last of these, the gekkoninae family, is the largest sub category and covers more than 550 species spread all around the globe. Geckos are found in warm climates around the world and are not poisonous or in any way harmful to humans. They have adapted to living well in built up areas by making their home inside human dwellings and in fact one sub species has been given the name House Gecko. Since they feed on insects, many people do not mind a gecko taking up residence indoors.
Geckos are different from lizards in these creatures communicate with each other using loud chirping noises. Their socialization is more apparent than other types of lizards. The clear eyelids of the geckos are the other distinctive feature of these species. Actually, they do not have eyelids but rather a transparent membrane. You will find that if you get a pet gecko, it will often lick this membrane with its tongue in order to keep it clean.
Geckos are able to walk upside down across ceilings because they have unique pads on their feet. Geckos come in a wide variety of colors and patterns and there are some geckos that even change color, like the chameleon, according to their surroundings or the temperature. This is possibly a defense mechanism for a species that has quite a few predators in the wild such as snakes, birds and even larger lizards.
If you are planning to get a pet gecko, you will have to feed it a diet crickets. You should gut load the crickets with dried dog food, tropical fish flakes, vegetables and fruit slices to ensure that the gecko gets its balance of nutrients. The cricket should be fed 12 to 24 hours before it is fed to the gecko. You may also need to add supplements such as vitamins to their diet to make sure their nutritional requirements are met. There are vitamin powders available in pet stores which can be dusted over their other food. Geckos need to be fed more frequently when they are young and then only twice a week after they are seven months old. The amount of food depends on the size of your pet gecko but a good rule of thumb is that it should be food that can be finished in 15-20 minutes.
There should be a bowl replenished with fresh water twice daily available for the gecko. You may also want to spray around your pet gecko as some like to drink water droplets and this will also aid in creating a humid environment.
When creating a home for your pet gecko remember that it is a creature of warm climates and make sure the tank is kept in a place which is warm and has plenty of light. The size of the tank that you choose for the vivarium will depend on the size of your pet gecko. Humidity, temperature and light are bigger considerations than mere size in gecko housing and it is said 3 medium-sized geckos can live in a 32 inches by 15 inches by 15 inches tank. Geckos are more active during the night than the day and so a 60 watt bulb is adequate for the light and it will also give warmth. The gecko needs a temperature of 88 degrees during the day and 75 degrees at night. Some times some pet owners use heating pads when the temperatures dip to make sure that their pets get adequate warmth. Geckos do like to hide and peek and you can factor this in while choosing decorations for the tank.
A pet gecko can be an intriguing companion and children in particular are fascinated by them because of their apparent similarity to dinosaurs.