Hi Chris,
Chris wrote:
> Everything looks great, except I wouldn't do one thing...
>
> "Keep a close eye on me if you put me with other leopard geckos."
>
> I would add a little note stating something about quarantine. I don't care
> who you are breeder wise, Phil Tremper or Bob Clark. You can keep you
> animals as sterile as possible, but I personally will be quarantining any
> animal I get away from my collection for at least 2 months. They will also
> be housed individually (if I receive multiple animals). Just something you
> might want to amend to the caresheet.
>
This is something to think about. I am more concerned, now that you bring this
up, about the other geckos making mine sick! I raise mine by the clutch for a
month or so, and then individually. Quarantine is a very conservative approach
for geckos raised like this and I don't ask folks to do that with my young
leos. This is a better recommendation for "vat-raised" leos more exposed to
stress and disease simply due to their sheer numbers. FYI for new folks this is
how most large scale breeders raise young leos, about 30 to a 32qt sterilite
sweaterbox. For WC gex this type of quarantine is a great recommendation, even
long term WCs or any gex exposed to any number of other gex for any length of
time. Lastly if you don't know anything at all about a gecko's past
circumstances or don't trust what the breeder says about this, this is a clear
cut situation in which you should quarantine. These are my recommendations,
however, some folks feel more comfortable with everything quarantined under
every circumstance and this a very safe and smart way to go.
I won't be offended if you want to add your own additions to the care sheet,
just note that they are your additions. This is not intended to be a generic
care-after-shipping sheet for all gex or all circumstances by any means. I have
more work to do in writing those for individual species.
The topic of quarantine brings up the subject of sterility and how that is
handled from small to large scale collections. Another paper to write!
>
> As I mentioned previously, other than that, the care is great. Simple and
> non-confusing. Something needed for the first time receiver of any herp
> being shipped.
>
> Later,
> Chris
>
Thanks for your input Chris!
Julie B.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Julie Bergman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: Gecko list <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Sent: Saturday, March 17, 2001 11:27 AM
> Subject: [Gecko] Leopard Gecko Care after shipping
>
> > Hi Everyone,
> >
> > I just wrote this to be included in boxes with leopard geckos. It could
> > also be used at reptile shows. If you would like to use it that is ok,
> > just give me credit and put your own name of who to contact on the
> > bottom. I can also e-mail you a much nicer looking version in MS Word,
> > just let me know and I'll send it to you.
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > Julie Bergman
> > http://www.geckoranch.com
> > GGA lifetime member
> >
> > Leopard Gecko Care after shipping
> >
> > Congratulations on the arrival of you new leopard gecko(s)! You are well
> > on your way to a long, rewarding relationship. There are certain things
> > you now need to do to acclimate your new friend to their new
> > surroundings.
> >
> > Put the "Do not disturb" sign on my terrarium!
> >
> > Shipping is a stressful ordeal. Your new pet needs peace and quiet while
> > calming down and getting used to their new terrarium. Make sure your
> > temperatures are correct, 86-88F in the warm end of the terrarium, and
> > put out a water dish. Keep handling to a minimum. It takes about a week
> > from the time of receiving them on the average for your new pet to feel
> > comfortable in their new home.
> >
> > Feed me for the first time the day after my arrival.
> >
> > Your new friend needs at least one day to calm down before you offer
> > crickets or mealworms. The second day, go ahead and put out a dish of
> > mealworms or offer about five crickets (90% the size of the gecko's
> > head). If these are not eaten in about 20 minutes, remove them and try
> > again the next day. Mealworms can be left out overnight, remove them the
> > next morning.
> >
> > Keep a close eye on me if you put me with other leopard geckos.
> >
> > Make sure you put your new leopard gecko with similar-sized leopard
> > geckos. If you put your new gecko with much larger leopard geckos your
> > new friend will not get enough to eat. Be sure to observe your new gecko
> > to make sure they are eating and are not losing weight. If this does
> > occur, separate and raise them to a nearly equal size, then reintroduce
> > them to the other leopard geckos. Be alert to any aggression occurring
> > between the geckos, sometimes they may not get along and will need to be
> > separated.
> >
> > Do not put two males together under any circumstances, they may appear
> > to get along, but they are experiencing stress that is not apparent to
> > the inexperienced eye. If they are sexually mature and a mature female
> > is present they may fight to their deaths.
> >
> > Make friends with me gradually.
> >
> > After your gecko has had about a week to acclimate, go ahead and try
> > letting them taste-touch your fingers while they are in the terrarium.
> > Once they are willing to sit on your hand in the terrarium, you may take
> > them out for short periods of time. If they fuss more than a minute put
> > them back in their terrarium immediately. Never grab them by their tail.
> > Support their whole body or hold them underhand-style. If you need to
> > control them gently squeeze as much of their body as possible so no body
> > parts are flipping around. You may grip the fattest part of their back
> > leg securely without damaging the gecko. Be sure to supervise small
> > children while they are learning how to hold their new pet.
> >
> > Read the Leopard Gecko Manual and the Gecko Ranch FAQ on Leopard Geckos.
> >
> > Read these already? Read them again. It will take time for all this
> > stuff to sink in. Write Julie at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or call (530)
> > 759-8158 10am-7pm PST with ANY questions. The FAQ is at
> > http://www.geckoranch.com under "gecko info."
> >
> >
> >
> >
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> >
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> >
