New to Leos

[coldblooded]

I am saving a helpless mature male gecko that my friends little brother owns. The poor thing has no source of heat, the tank is dirty all the time and has no fresh water. I have decided to take the poor thing as one of my own, but I'll need all you leopard gecko owners out there to help me out a little. I know that they'll need calcium and that they need a heat radiant of 70-80 with two hides on each side. I own a 10 gallon already from where my baby ball python (certaintly not baby anymore ) used to inhabit with two UTH's, I also have a heat lamp. Where I'm not certain is that I don't know what substrate to use? (I'm thinking a more desert-y feel since they are from Afghanistan and whatnot.) Looking at the Leo FAQ's help a lot too, but they only mention what juvenile geckos eat. What should I feed an adult? If there Is anything that I haven't covered, please tell me. I want to make sure he is happy.
Thank you so much!

Hey, congrats on rescuing the leo! Sound like he definitely needed it.

1. Yes, they do need calcium (and d3 in small amounts since they are nocturnal)

2. The heat gradient should be around the high 70s for the cool side and the mid 90s for the warm side. Use a UTH for belly heat, lamps aren't the best choice for these guys but I have heard of people using them with success. The important thing is the temperatures! If it is too low then food will not be digested very well.

3. I like solid substrate, such as slate tile or some other sort of textured tile. It retains heat well and there is no chance of accidental ingestion and impaction. Low pile outdoor carpet, paper towels, repticarpet, and even non adhesive shelf liner works dandy.

4. Adult leopard geckos can eat a lot of things. I personally feed and raise dubia roaches, but if that is not an option then gut loaded crickets, meal worms, and super worms are also good feeders.

Hope that helps you and good luck!