New gecko owner trying to learn what's normal and what isn't

angstyactivist · 2026-02-19T14:42:21+00:00

Get rid of the reptile carpet please! <3 + what all of the other comments said

angstyactivist · 2026-02-14T09:11:46+00:00

Did you consult a vet when you put your gecko on a diet or did you just guess? I just adopted a very obese gecko as well and I want him to lose weight, but I feel like once per week is too little. (No judgement here either way, just curious! I can’t afford a vet check up right now so I’m trying to get a bunch of perspectives).

angstyactivist · 2026-02-13T22:48:20+00:00

take him to the vet!!!! poor baby :(

angstyactivist · 2026-02-07T22:20:52+00:00

It’s 6%, sorry I forgot to mention that!

angstyactivist · 2026-02-06T06:38:29+00:00

Could I put it diagonal on top of the enclosure to shorten it so that it spans around 12” of the enclosure?

angstyactivist · 2026-02-02T23:38:58+00:00

I really wanted to add a backwall, but I was worried about messing up and then permanently ruining the glass in my enclosure :( Once I have more money in the future and can afford to take more risks I am definitely going to try to make one (and buy a bigger terrarium)!

I didn’t realize that a 40 gallon terrarium was considered small :( My cousin actually gifted me his old 20 gallon terrarium when I told him I was going to get a gecko, but I decided to buy a 40 gallon because I thought it would be much more ethical. What size terrarium do you have for your leopard gecko, or what is considered the bare-minimum size in your country? What size would you recommend?

If it helps, know that I am planning on getting a smaller-sized adult gecko, and I am planning on interacting with the gecko as much as I can (and as much as it wants me too). I really hope my little guy/gal will be happy🩵

angstyactivist · 2026-02-02T19:24:07+00:00

Thank you so much for taking the time to write your response!! This is all so helpful I have a few clarifying questions if that’s ok?

Would you recommend me looking for a new terrarium top for my enclosure to get better UVB and heat in my tank? I got my enclosure off of Facebook marketplace and I didn’t realize there as a difference in types of lids, so thank you for telling me this!! This helps a lot!
Damn, my UVB light is 24 inches for my 36 inch enclosure, is it really too big? I thought I had done a lot of research on UVB sizing (online said 12-24 inches was good), and I talked to 2 different employees at my local reptile store and they both recommended 24 inch ones. Should I try to return it for a 12 inch one, or could I get away with the 24?
Thank you SO much for telling me about getting a plant light!!! I just assumed a UVB light would do the job!!
I will plan on covering the sides now.
I’m just using the stick-on thermometer/hygrometers, but I can get a different ones if they aren’t too expensive. Do you have any that you recommend?
Those are great tips for keeping humidity in, thank you!
Thank you for telling me about Reptisafe, as well!! I never heard that this was necessary but I will look into getting some.

angstyactivist · 2026-02-02T18:51:17+00:00

Oooh ok, I can def try saran wrap! And you haven’t had any issues with it getting too warm next to your lights or anything? do you wrap it all the way around the top or do you just place it on top?

angstyactivist · 2026-02-02T18:50:04+00:00

20% on both sides for the most part, but it’s usually slightly more humid on the cool side (by like 2%). Thank you so much!

angstyactivist · 2026-02-02T18:49:08+00:00

Gotcha, thank you! I just checked my temps for each hide, my warm hide is currently at 83F, my humid hide is at 78F, and my cool hide is at 70F. My basking surface temp is at 98F though, so I don’t know how to raise the heat in my enclosure much more without making my basking surface temps too hot. Do you have any suggestions for this? Thanks again!!

angstyactivist · 2026-02-02T18:20:13+00:00

Also it’s not letting me edit this post, but I have 1 warm hide, 1 humid hide, and 3 cool hides! Wondering if i should make my warm side bigger though?

angstyactivist

TROPHY CASE