how to care for a house gecko?

[tigahawk]

Allo! Newbie here!

Looking to get my foot in the door with this without getting a license, forking out large amounts of money for a Gecko that i dont yet have the experience nor confidence to look after correctly yet... so...

We have multiple Asian House Gecko's outside the house.

I'd like to create a terrarium, then forcibly adopt Gary the Gecko.... and house it in the vivarium. He'll be a look and watch pet without handling to pet him as that would probably just stress the crap out of him since he'd not have been raised for that.


It appears incredibly hard to find information information about caring for house gecko's. Googling house gecko's always seems to default to the Mediterranean house gecko and i have a feeling they've got different needs from the Asian House Gecko.




Are you guy's able to help or point me in the right direction?




Heating pad - these guy's from what I've seen anyway spend the bulk of their time upside down or on a wall. I should be putting my heating pad on the side of the tank, half way up or so... right? Or should i just be placing it somewhere under the tank? Do i leave it running all the time? Do i get a timer and set it for on - off's? If yes what intervals?


Lighting - they're nocturnal so... do they need a light on during the day outside of normal sunlight? If yes what type? Do they need a different one for at night? Do i leave it running all night or set at intervals like the heating pad? I have heard the red / blue lights can be bad for them? T


Acclimation - These guy's i think the bulk of their diet will be moths as they pretty much live on the window. Moths are attracted to the light - fly to the window where the Gecko's will do their thing.
Will it be able to acclimate to spiders and crickets?
Do i get supplement & vitamin dust for the crickets or are not required for a common house Gecko?

Water - my RO filter is out of action and i hear chlorine is bad for them. Water conditioner like we use for the fishies for his drinking water and misting water until i can get another RO filter?



Thanks heaps for the help and advice in advance!

 

[Foozil]

Why an asian house gecko..? They are invasive.

 

[SpottedPythons]

Don't bother with the water filter, just change it's water every day. Ideally you can use the water conditioner at the aquarium store, but chlorinated water is okay as well. They really only need a small water dish. For the heating, just place a 20watt heat pad at one end of the enclosure, or on one of the walls. Make sure to create a temperature gradient (a warmer end of the cage, at about 25 - 27 degrees Celsius, and a cooler end at 20 - 22 degrees.). The heat pad should be on the outside of the enclosure so the gecko is not in direct contact with it. During the day, there should be no lighting, though you can up the temperature by about one or two degrees since they digest what they eat during the day. However, if you want to view your gecko during the day, you can keep the enclosure in a dark room with a red light (simply a normal, non-heat emitting light bulb spray painted red) during the day, and light it up during the night. These bulbs should not emit heat. The gecko should readily feed on crickets after a couple of days - supplements are not required for this species.
[doublepost=1515537017,1515536983][/doublepost]

Why an asian house gecko..? They are invasive.

As long as you don't breed them, keeping them should be fine. Just because they are invasive doesn't mean you shouldn't try and keep just one for fun, to try out keeping geckos in a way that will not potentially harm a native gecko. Not everyone can afford a $200 native gecko right off the bat, and one House Gecko is not likely to have a huge impact on the population.

 

[Foozil]

As long as you don't breed them, keeping them should be fine. Just because they are invasive doesn't mean you shouldn't try and keep just one for fun, to try out keeping geckos in a way that will not potentially harm a native gecko. Not everyone can afford a $200 native gecko right off the bat, and one House Gecko is not likely to have a huge impact on the population.

Good point..
btw I don't mind that fact that its invasive

 

[Imported_tuatara]

i mean he's doing us a favour, one less invasive gecko in the wild!

 

[Pauls_Pythons]

Best way I can think of to care for them is gas.........

"stands back to watch the fireworks"

 

[Imported_tuatara]

no that's for cats. for the geckos we make a time machine and bomb all the boxes and such with them ready to fly over here.

 

[Scutellatus]

Keeping an 'exotic gecko' is probably worse than keeping a non-licensed native in the eyes of the law. I am not advocating for either, I am just pointing this out. With the right (wrong) officer at the right (wrong) place you could end up being fined for keeping a non-native illegal species.

Most starter geckos are cheap enough and hardy enough for a beginner to have a go.

 

[tigahawk]

I do not yet have a license, and i have not looked after a reptile before. And there's a family of the buggers living at both our front door and the back door. It should be as easy as leaving the light on so they're hanging around to feed off the moths and being quick with catching one before it gets away.

I'd much prefer to learn and if i make mistakes - learn from them on something that in the grand scheme of things it doesn't matter if it dies. Wow that sounds harsh... but you know a pest vs a native... it just seems silly to go straight for a native or exotic gecko when you knowing barely anything about them or how to look after them.

Another reason i decided on the house gecko was because the only gecko's i could find required a Cat2 license and were at the $200+ mark. I'm in Brisbane and i think our only "proper" reptile specialist store closed down in December 2016. The one at Ipswich i believe? Unless there's another that hates the internet as i spent most of yesterday trying to find something here in Brisbane that actually knew their stuff. I don't trust normal pet stores that have no reptiles in store and only sell products to give accurate advice.

I have not got any of this ready yet. Picking up a tall hexagon fish tank from gumtree thisarvo, a steal at $10. Then i've got to wait for next pay to pick up the substrate, hides, fake plants, hydrometer / thermometer - Then i'll be looking at getting a resident for the terrarium.

 

[Buggster]

I’m fairly sure the keeping of a non-native species (even wild caught) is a huge no-no.
It’s no different than picking up a ‘wild’ Corn snake and deciding to keep it as a pet- and that will get you in to a huge amount of trouble.

Native geckos really don’t cost all that much- yes, some species/morphs do have a big price tag attached, but the more normal stuff?
Common things like Broadtails, knobtails, Spinytails ect cost little more than $90 for an unsexed hatchie. I picked up a pair of Spinytails for $200 the other day.

 

[tigahawk]

I understand that and why the law exists.



Do you know of any people selling starter Geckos in the Brisbane area?



I cant find a "store" that sells them. The trade section here has nothing for QLD that is recent. I have no experience in looking after these guy's yet so i'll be damned if i'll have one shipped from another state at that cost. forking out $150+ to buy one off gumtree when they're not asking for licenses seems dodgy as hell. My cat's broken in the head because he was born in a kitten farm. i'll be damned if im supporting people that dont care about the animals by buying it off them.

Try to google "buy reptile brisbane" (buy gecko turns up terrible results, try if you want) then you get gumtree which has the Knobtails listed as $150 a pop - the sellers are not asking for a license. There's an Asper for $275 and is asking for a license.
Keep going through the list and you get a bundle of pet stores which only products and no reptiles at all. Not even the RSPCA has Gecko's up for adoption. The actual proper reptile related stores are in perth or down sydney ways. pets unleashed has a reptile section, but it's snakes turtles and a bearded dragon / blue-tongue lizzard only. brisbanereptiles (petsupersavers) is the same.

If you could point me towards someone selling starter gecko's for the price you listed in / around brisbane and i'll do it for sure.

This wasn't a hey i want a gecko there's a gecko that'll be my pet decision. This was a hey i'd like a Gecko. Lets start looking into them... ok there's like nothing but a few big pet stores that stock supplies only. No reptiles. No dedicated reptile store. Cant find anything local wherever i search. I'm not forking out $500 to have something shipped in for it to die in a months time because i **** up. It appears to make the most sense to me since sourcing them is difficult and expensive to go with that as a starter - get a feel for it - and probably within 6-12months of that going well then making the bigger commitment.


Someone should fill the hole in Brisbane with Reptiles? Everyone's selling habitat, food, supplements and decorations. No-one is selling the actual animals it seems. Please correct me on that i'd love to be wrong!

 

[Scutellatus]

We have a very limited list of what can be sold in a pet shop in Qld. Just because someone doesn't advertise that the animal is licensed doesn't mean it isn't. Keep looking at Gumtree etc, something will show up if it is meant to be. Also, keep in mind that reptiles are not something you can just do on the cheap.

 

[Harry89]

Dude,

I know what it's like being new, to forums, to reptiles and to just about everything, but one thing I have learnt while being on this forum is there is a massive vault of knowledge here, you just have to look. Everyone who joins asks the same questions and undoubtedly they get the same answers, see below:
https://www.aussiepythons.com/forum/threads/tips-for-newbies-thread-2-1.219107/

Please, buy a book, before anything else on what you are INTERESTED in keeping, not the 'meh, it might die' animal. Keeping a pet healthy requires a vested interest, especially with reptiles. See below for a GREAT list (look for a gecko one):
https://www.aussiepythons.com/forum/threads/recommended-reading.212528/

Here is a basic but decent Gecko book to start with (I have this one):
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/camden-park/pet-products/reptile-books/1170369392

Then take your time in finding the RIGHT gecko for YOU, believe me, it won't appear on Gumtree this second. Look around, I have bought my geckos from Gumtree, around Brisbane, but they aren't always on there and sellers are not always on the ball with mentioning licences. Just be sure to ask if they have one when you enquire and chase up the movement forms yourself to be sure. Do not buy without a licence, do not buy without a proper setup and do not buy when desperate, it's like shopping while hungry dude, super bad juju!

Also, do not house a wild pest species in the enclosure you want your forever bestie in, they can carry diseases and gecko mites are a big thing to think about, it's not worth the risk really.

I say this with care and experience dude, I know EXACTLY how you feel, I waited 15 years for my little bundle of joy and it was hard. But I read books by experts, I found species specific scientific articles and I asked a lot of questions during that time. As a result, my sweet as little nope rope who could not care less if I even existed (hahahahaha), is healthy, happy, fit and finally in my care. Ask around for breeders of the species YOU want based on the books YOU read, don't fear Gumtree, just do your research and ask sellers questions so you know what you are dealing with.

But, at the end of the day 'Opinions are like A**H***S, everyone's got one', so take or leave the above advice...

 

[Buggster]

Join some gecko/reptile related groups on FB- there are also several Reptile sales groups where I have located some of my animals.

Right now Geckos are starting to hatch out, so if you wait a couple more weeks the market should be full of them.
If there are any reptile expos coming up in your area (there are usually some at the beginning of the year- in Sydney there are anyway...) it’s worth going to check there as many breeders will have their animals at special expo prices

 

[SpottedPythons]

What about marbled geckoes?

 

[Pauls_Pythons]

Plenty of options and none of them include having an invasive exotic as a pet.

 

[tigahawk]

Dude,

I know what it's like being new, to forums, to reptiles and to just about everything, but one thing I have learnt while being on this forum is there is a massive vault of knowledge here, you just have to look. Everyone who joins asks the same questions and undoubtedly they get the same answers, see below:
https://www.aussiepythons.com/forum/threads/tips-for-newbies-thread-2-1.219107/

Please, buy a book, before anything else on what you are INTERESTED in keeping, not the 'meh, it might die' animal. Keeping a pet healthy requires a vested interest, especially with reptiles. See below for a GREAT list (look for a gecko one):
https://www.aussiepythons.com/forum/threads/recommended-reading.212528/

Here is a basic but decent Gecko book to start with (I have this one):
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/camden-park/pet-products/reptile-books/1170369392

Then take your time in finding the RIGHT gecko for YOU, believe me, it won't appear on Gumtree this second. Look around, I have bought my geckos from Gumtree, around Brisbane, but they aren't always on there and sellers are not always on the ball with mentioning licences. Just be sure to ask if they have one when you enquire and chase up the movement forms yourself to be sure. Do not buy without a licence, do not buy without a proper setup and do not buy when desperate, it's like shopping while hungry dude, super bad juju!

Also, do not house a wild pest species in the enclosure you want your forever bestie in, they can carry diseases and gecko mites are a big thing to think about, it's not worth the risk really.

I say this with care and experience dude, I know EXACTLY how you feel, I waited 15 years for my little bundle of joy and it was hard. But I read books by experts, I found species specific scientific articles and I asked a lot of questions during that time. As a result, my sweet as little nope rope who could not care less if I even existed (hahahahaha), is healthy, happy, fit and finally in my care. Ask around for breeders of the species YOU want based on the books YOU read, don't fear Gumtree, just do your research and ask sellers questions so you know what you are dealing with.

But, at the end of the day 'Opinions are like A**H***S, everyone's got one', so take or leave the above advice...

Thanks dude!

I'm in no rush whatsoever. Mostly in the planning phase right now. I picked up the tank yesterday afternoon but i'm still months away from when i think i'll be ready to get a Gecko.

Got the digital download for the keeping aussie geckos book and will give that a good read.

Also noticed on gumtree this morning there's thick tailed gecko's now for sale. not asking for any license information but the address rang a bell - it's pets unleashed's address in Mornigside. Shooting them an e-mail inquiring about what type / how often they get them in and if i'll be able to hit them up in regards to acquiring one when the time is right.

 

[Imported_tuatara]

Thanks dude!

I'm in no rush whatsoever. Mostly in the planning phase right now. I picked up the tank yesterday afternoon but i'm still months away from when i think i'll be ready to get a Gecko.

Got the digital download for the keeping aussie geckos book and will give that a good read.

Also noticed on gumtree this morning there's thick tailed gecko's now for sale. not asking for any license information but the address rang a bell - it's pets unleashed's address in Mornigside. Shooting them an e-mail inquiring about what type / how often they get them in and if i'll be able to hit them up in regards to acquiring one when the time is right.

reptile classifieds is a good start for buying reptiles.

 

[tigahawk]

Thanks heaps Imported Tuatara! Did not know that existed! Nothing is QLD tho XD Seems we really are getting the short end of the stick XD

Did more research and had a strong interest for Bynoe's & Marbled after researching into them more but they were not listed on their species list on the recreational wildlife license application page. Rang thru and was told if it wasnt on the list it wasnt allowed.

Really weird.
Bynoe's is pretty much native to all of Aus except Tazzie. One would have thought they'd be allowed.
The flip side of that is apparently I'm allowed to have a Gulbaru...... when they're an extremely endangered species. WTF QLD Gov???


I am limited to:

Golden-tailed Gecko (Strophurus Taenicauda)
Gulbaru Gecko (Phyllurus Gulbaru)
Oakview (Southern?) leaf-tailed gecko (Phyllurus Kabi Kabi)
Ringed thin-tailed gecko (Phyllurus Caudiannulatus)
Rough Knob-tailed gecko (Nephrurus Asper)
Thick-Tailed Gecko (Underwoodisaurus milii)



Asper's off the list because that's way out of my price range.

Underwood i'd like to steer clear from due to intolerant to high temperatures, i do not have aircon and live near wetlands so it can get hot during the day.

I need to get some thermometers and check the temp of a few rooms in the house at different times of day. I have a huge industrial fan that i could keep running during the day in a room with the window open so i'll need to pop that in there and record the temps. Probably a small portable aircon system will be required if we get days like we did over the christmas period where your thongs would melt on the ashpalt if you stood on it too long XD

For cooling - since a cooling pad / plate does not exist... what about attaching a computer fan to the cool side of the enclosure that sucks air out? Or is the preferred method the frozen water bottle / ice cubes in their water dish for cooling?

Kabi Kabi also looks interesting but like the Gulbaru while i dont think it's endangered, it's pretty much only found in 1 small spot in QLD so i have serious doubts i'll ever see one let alone be able to afford one.

Phyllurus appears quite rare as well.

Golden-tailed looks absolutely amazing and appears to be easy to care for tho the keeping australian gecko's book mentioned nothing of temperature ranges which google says... 23-29 during the dy and 21-23 at night so scratch that off the list without aircon to control the temp in a room.

I'm stuffed.

Pet's unleashed got back to me and said the only ones they were legally able to sell were:

underwoodisaurus milii
nephrurus asper
nephrurus levis
nephrurus amyae

So they're able to sell two types of gecko's that noone from QLD can legally buy? what the hell QLD Govt??? :|

<insert brain implosion here>

 

[Scutellatus]

We don't have a species list so to speak. Everything is on a Recreational license unless venomous or Crocodilian.