Advice about new Crestie

[reaxion07]

My girlfriend got me a Crestie for my birthday It's an adult, and I was just wondering how long it usually takes for it to get settled in, and if there's anything I can do to help make the transition easier. He's actually been sleeping today on the floor of the tank, which I know is weird for them. His temp stays between 72-74 usually, sometimes it gets a little hotter during the day, and I mist him twice a day. I offer fresh CGD every night, since that's what he was eating with his previous owner. He's in a 10 gallon setup vertically, and there's a piece of grapewood to climb, fake plants to hide in, small fake flowers on the bottom, and a fake jungle vine. I'm using paper towel for substrate. I've seen him drink allready, but not eat yet. I've had him since Thursday, and we haven't been handling him. Should I be worried yet?

[mlededee]

Give him about a week to settle in and get used to his new environment. Give him a very shallow dish of food, that way you can see if he is eating it or not. A lot of times they won't eat in front of you or while the lights are on, especially when they are not familiar with their surroundings.

[mainbutter]

Nah no need to be worried yet.

Some geckos don't eat a ton of CGD, and it's typical for new owners to not realize whether a gecko is eating or not. Looking for poop is the best way to see if they are eating.

A week is the minimum to wait before any unnecessary handling.

Temps sound good too

As for being on the ground, two of my geckos really seem to prefer it. My biggest female sleeps under the paper towels. My biggest male just likes to hide under some big leafed vines that are close to the ground. The other two definitely are climbers for the most part. A 10 gallon, imo, might be a tad small for an adult gecko(some would disagree though so don't worry! 10 gal. per adult is what some quote as the rule of thumb for housing adults), I like to give them a bit more room and a bit more choice in hiding places.

Personally I love glass exo terras at 24'' tall, ground space variable depending on whether housing geckos alone or with others.

[reaxion07]

Thanks! I'll do the shallow food bowl tomorrow night, right now it's in one of those small glass things resteraunts give you ranch/dipping sauce in. The 10g is temporary - my girlfriend was going to get something like an Exoterra tank, but she had to get the gecko early - the only reason the guy sold him is because he couldn't pay rent, which was due. I love it so far, they're really awesome creatures Here's a pic the previous owner sent my g/f:


Anyone know the name of this morph?

[mlededee]

He is a partial pinstripe harlequin (with a few dalmation spots too). Very nice!

[panthercz]

From what I've read, sleeping on the ground isn't that unusual for cresties. So I wouldn't be too concerned about it. Mine don't sleep on the ground but pretty low, I only see them high up at night when they are out and about.

[reaxion07]

What time are they usually out? Mine seems like it's been sleeping for two days straight. He woke up today to lick some water off the tank, but then he went back to sleep. I know they're nocturnal, but even around 12:00, 1:00 in the morning he's still laying down there. HAHA, I feel like an overbearing mother

[mlededee]

If you have the lights on at night then he probably will not come out and be up and about unless he is just one of the more outgoing cresteds (some are just that way and will come out just because you came in the room at night, but most not so much). They aren't terribly active geckos unless you have a pair and the male is chasing the female. A lot of times I am in my herp room for several hours at a time and they will stay in the same place the whole time or be hiding/sleeping when I go in and still hiding/sleeping when I leave. I have some adults that I have had for several years and they will come out when they know I am going to feed them, but they have learned the routine and are comfortable enough as adults to come out and act cute.

[Shadera]

My tiny little baby sleeps on the floor underneath foliage. He/She curls up like a little cat to sleep, it's so cute. Everyone else sleeps in their hide, or in the plants.

Beautiful gecko, I wish you many happy, healthy years with him.

[reaxion07]

Update, in case anyone with similar questions reads this (this is a big thing on the car forum I'm on) - I woke up this morning around 7ish for work, and he was kind of standing up, with a hand on his grapewood. He ate last night, and I sprayed the tank like I do every morning, and he started climbing and drinking! You guys are awesome, haha. I'll post more pics after he gets a little more time, maybe this weekend. I have to say, he's one of he most awesome birthday gifts I've ever gotten.