My Geckos and Their Thread

[Kent67]

Guess it was time my geckos had their own thread that I can just update with new pictures as they allow them. For those who don't know already, after almost 20 years of keeping chameleons I took the step into geckos last September with my first, a captive-hatched giant day gecko, Phelsuma grandis. Since he wasn't particularly handleable, I still wanted something else and decided the next species would be a gargoyle, Rhacodactylus auriculatus. Ultimately, I was wanting to build gecko experience so that I could tackle what was always the ultimate species to me, the satanic leaf-tail, Uroplatus phantasticus. So now I have one of each of those species and I'm feeling pretty confident with them now. I'm hoping to make a pair or two with these guys later this year.

First is Martin, the day gecko. I've really been trying to slowly tame him and now have it where I can sometimes get him to sit on my arm long enough for me to hand feed him 3 or 4 crickets, one after another. I'm also embedding a video from today that shows a little. I still leave him inside the Exo while handling after a few escapes in the past. BTW, I dropped a cricket so you can skip from 0:20 to 0:50.

[YOUTUBE]0H0YGWhAKQQ[/YOUTUBE]

The not-so handleable Gargy:

Look at that eye!

"Hey, where'd that thing with the camera go?" aka Gecko Butt!

And my new favorite gecko pet Memnoch, not just because he sticks himself in silly postures but because he's actually handleable and really relaxed.

Front feet on the branch, back feet stuck to the glass. Gotta love it.

Stretch those toes to hold on!

Can you tell I'm proud?

 

[sgvreptiles]

who produced your grandis?

 

[Syn]

D'aww they are all looking great, I'm glad Memnoch is enjoying hand feeding.



Now all you need is a Syn-Baby-Crested.

 

[Kent67]

who produced your grandis?

Uhhhh, I don't remember. Darci (TikiTiki Reptiles) picked up a number from whoever hatched them at Daytona. Hopefully she'll see the thread and can refresh my memory.


Thanks, Syn. I'm a bit bummed that instead of calming down my gargoyle is crazy than ever. My next geck will probably be a female phantasticus. Seems there may not be so much challenge in hatching the day geckos so that seems to be the most likely next step.

 

[Syn]

Uhhhh, I don't remember. Darci (TikiTiki Reptiles) picked up a number from whoever hatched them at Daytona. Hopefully she'll see the thread and can refresh my memory.


Thanks, Syn. I'm a bit bummed that instead of calming down my gargoyle is crazy than ever. My next geck will probably be a female phantasticus. Seems there may not be so much challenge in hatching the day geckos so that seems to be the most likely next step.

Oo I just realized I said the wrong name haha, that's what I get for posting so early.

Sometimes geckos are just like that - I have three leopards that were handfuls when they were younger, now they crawl up on my hand like it's something they've always done.

Just keep working with him, don't give up.

Would be lovely to see more CB phants.

 

[PardalisGirl]

Nice pictures Kent!

A whole other obsession aren't they? I've just got the Cresties right now. I'm going to be getting a couple of groups of Uroplatus later this year. Still figuring out which two of the species I want to play with. I know it will be harder to work with them than it has been with the Cresties. They are the easiest thing to care for in this house. Congrats on your beauties! You may eventually win the trust of that Gargoyle. He's nice to just look at though

 

[chams1]

A whole other obsession aren't they? I've just got the Cresties right now. I'm going to be getting a couple of groups of Uroplatus later this year. Still figuring out which two of the species I want to play with. I know it will be harder to work with them than it has been with the Cresties. They are the easiest thing to care for in this house. Congrats on your beauties! You may eventually win the trust of that Gargoyle. He's nice to just look at though

I knew it was only a matter of time before YOU got the itch! ha ha ha Come see my booth at Daytona.....

 

[eisentrauti]

Damn, I'm so jealous ! I like the phantasticus or pietschmanni so bad, but they are too expensive here

 

[Kent67]

Some pics that've been sitting on the camera a couple weeks:

 

[Miss Lily]

Awww! They are all gorgeous! I am also increasingly fascinated by geckos. I got my first crestie back in October and he is such a cute l'il thing! They are more additive than chameleons in some ways!

 

[Cham Fan]

Hi, new here but just wanted to add some info since I do have some experience with geckos. First, I know of a really great gecko forum, if you would like it please pm me as I don't know the forum rule on posting links to other forums. Second, the day gecko is pretty easy to breed/raise from what I've seem posted on the other forum, but if you're looking for a challenge maybe look into leechies (the big 'uns )

or a really cute one imo that is also supposedly easy to breed but harder to find, the knobtail? Those huge doe eyes and lil stumpy tail kill me

The other one I really like (aside of leos obviously) is the cave geckos. I also hear they're suppose to have pretty nice mellow temperaments too, breed well and look awesome with their dynamic color contrast.

The leaf tail you posted was really sweet... I'd like to see where you take that project.