[gecko]New gecko questions

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 06:21:49 -0700

Egad -- feral camels???

Daavid wrote:

> The law applies to all reptiles and amphibians (apart from axolotls). It 
> is mainly about quarantine.  Australia's animals have evolved mostly in 
> isolation.  Many of the species introduced with European settlement have 
> gone feral and are out of control...(Cats are the worst problem, but 
> also foxes, camels, rabbits,etc. etc.)  The main fear is that an 
> introduced species will bring in a pest that will wipe out native 
> species.  We already have OPMV and IBD which kill native pythons much 
> quicker than the Boas etc. on which it is meant to have come in with.
> 
> There is an illegal trade in exotic reptiles but the fines are severe 
> and the animals are inevitably put down when encountered by authorities.
> 
> Most of the native animals are kept on licence.  We submit returns to 
> the various state departments which keep track who has what etc.  Each 
> state has different laws but it is the feds that control the quarantine 
> side of things.
> 
> regards __daavid
> 
> -- 
>  HerpTrader-A Herp Shop(TM) initiative-Just a $10 listing fee per ad.
>                           http://www.herpshop.com.au
> 
> 
> Diane Rudesal wrote:
> 
>> Thanks for the advice, Daavid. That's interesting, that you can't keep
>> geckos that aren't native to Australia. Does that apply to other types
>> of animals as well? Is it a federal law?
>> I do have thermometers in the cage, one on each side, and since he
>> always seems to be on the warmer side, it probably is too cold for him.
>> I'll have to try something else heat-wise and put another house
>> somewhere in the middle as well.
>>
>> What do you use to mist them? I think Enzo might freak out if I did that
>> to him.
>> Diane
>>
>> On Fri, 28 Sep 2007 18:43:57 +1000, "Daavid"
>> <daavid.turnbull@optusnet.com.au> said:
>>  
>>
>>> I cannot offer too much information specific to leopard geckos as we 
>>> are not allowed to keep them (because they are not native to 
>>> Australia) but I can offer some general advice.
>>>
>>> Temperature wise create a heat gradient from one end of the cage to 
>>> the other with places to hide across the heat range.  Use a 
>>> thermometer to check out your temperature gradient.
>>> Do not rely on thermostat settings or guess from the output of your 
>>> heat source.
>>> If your gecko is always up the hot end of the cage it is probably too 
>>> cold.  If he is at the cold end then it is probably too hot.  If he 
>>> ranges around the middle then it is probably about right.
>>> For most geckos I would be misting them from time to time.  (I mist 
>>> our cilarus geckos most mornings.)  I am happy to see them lick the 
>>> water from their faces ;-)  For many species this is how they drink 
>>> most of the time.
>>>
>>> regards __daavid
>>>
>>> -- 
>>>   HerpTrader-A Herp Shop(TM) initiative-Just a $10 listing fee per ad.
>>>                            http://www.herpshop.com.au
>>>
>>> Cyndy wrote:
>>>    
>>>
>>>> What wattage was the heat emitter? You might try a lower wattage.
>>>> Cyndy
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -- "Diane Rudesal" <leolover@petml.com> wrote:
>>>> Thanks for your input, Sonya. I think Enzo is getting better now. He
>>>> seems to like the changes I made back to what he was used to. I think a
>>>> lot of his problem was stress, as you mentioned. The sand might not be
>>>> ideal, but he seems to prefer it since that's what he grew up with. I
>>>> think I freaked him out a little today when I tried adding heat above
>>>> his tank again (see my message in response to Elizabeth) but after I
>>>> took it off again he went back in his house on the side with the
>>>> undertank heater.
>>>> Diane
>>>>
>>>> On Wed, 26 Sep 2007 21:38:52 -0500, "Sonya Owings"
>>>> <sowings2@comcast.net> said:
>>>>        
>>>>
>>>>> Diane,
>>>>>
>>>>> I am assuming that you are talking about leopard geckos.  I agree 
>>>>> tha tthe calci-sand is not good.  The sand pieces are not round, 
>>>>> they have sharp edges on them.  I actually just use paper towels.  
>>>>> As for the light, leopard geckos are more of a nocturnal gecko, 
>>>>> they do not need a light.  Do make sure that you have an under tank 
>>>>> heater on one side of the tank and a cooler side too.  They also 
>>>>> like to have hiding places during the day.
>>>>> I also had trouble with a male that I bought at a reptile show.  It 
>>>>> seemed very healthy but once home would not eat.  Finally started 
>>>>> eating and got to be healthy again.  However, I then moved it and 
>>>>> the same thing happened.  I think  he just really stresses out.
>>>>> Hope your gecko gets better!
>>>>> Sonya
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Global Gecko Association
>>>>> http://www.gekkota.com
>>>>> Classifieds
>>>>> http://www.gekkota.com/cgi-gekkota/classifieds.cgi
>>>>> gecko mailing list
>>>>> gecko@lists.gekkota.com
>>>>> http://lists.gekkota.com/mailman/listinfo/gecko
>>>>>             
>>>
>>> -- 
>>> Daavid Turnbull - daavid.turnbull@optusnet.com.au
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Global Gecko Association
>>> http://www.gekkota.com
>>> Classifieds
>>> http://www.gekkota.com/cgi-gekkota/classifieds.cgi
>>> gecko mailing list
>>> gecko@lists.gekkota.com
>>> http://lists.gekkota.com/mailman/listinfo/gecko
>>>     
> 
> 
> 