Adding a New Crested to Same Cage?

[jason221]

Hi,
I've been doing some searching on Google and can't seem to find many specific answers regarding housing crested geckos together. I currently have one female crested gecko in a 18x18x24 in. Exo Terra cage. Last August (2009) is when I bought her, and she was pretty small then, so I guess she is less than 1.5 years old. My question is, if I want to add another (presumably female), how should I go about doing this? Do I need to follow the same quarantine procedures as, say, getting a new ball python? Is it alright just to add a new female into the same cage as my current gecko? Does the new gecko need to be about the same size as the one I have now? Any tips would be appreciated, as there is a reptile expo in my area next weekend and I want to be prepared if I decide to get another crested.

Thanks in advance for any responses.

[bad-one]

Yes you must quarantine any new arrivals. 2-3 months in preferable. To avoid bullying your geckos need to be the same size as well. Females typically can be housed together, however some just don't tolerate company well and one can end up bullied (signs of which could be weight loss, bite marks, lethargy).

[jason221]

2-3 months? Hmm. Well, okay. I'll see if that can be done.

[mainbutter]

I just needed to add this quick personal tidbit to the thread: After nearly two years of keeping CGs and starting off keeping a 1.2 trio together, I (surprisingly) found it easier to just keep them in individual cages.

[AkHerps]

It is much easier to keep them separate. I separated mine because I suspected some bullying and now the thinner one is eating like a champ and looking a lot better!

[jason221]

Yeah, separate is definitely easier. I just don't know if I have room / want to spring some $$ for another cage.

[AkHerps]

Put them in tubs

[jason221]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Only problem is the space; do I need to quarantine in a separate room? I mean, how likely is it that a CBB crested from a breeder, not a pet store, will be carrying a disease?

[mainbutter]

You won't get anyone here advising you that it's 'OK' to skip QT.

QT should be done in a separate room.

That said, do people skip QT and have zero consequences? All the time. But they take a risk, and there are true horror stories out there.

It is all about how much respect and care you give your animals.

[jason221]

Hypothetically, how would you quarantine a moderate to large amount of new animals? Do you only need one spare room for quarantine? If so, wouldn't that defeat the purpose (if one of the new animals was sick, all of the new animals could get sick)?