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Display animal/First Time Gecko

monkeywrench133

monkeywrench133

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Hi Everyone, I'd like your input.

I have an Exoterra Terrarium 18x18x18 that I'd like to put some kind of gecko in. I'm not sure what kind of gecko though, as I've never kept any species before.

What I'm interested in is a species that would make a good display animal, colorful and active. Size is also a consideration, I'd like something I can see from more than 4 feet away.

I'd also like to stay away from any species requiring UV.

From what I've seen, the species that best fills those requirements is the Tokay. I've read that they have horrible dispositions, but most days, so do I, so we should cancel each other out.

However, I'm also thinking about Leopards. Which don't quite reach the same size as the Tokays, but come close. I haven't read anything about their personalities though.

So, if you were in my situation, what would you fill the cage with? and you don't have to stick with Tokay or Leopard, or geckos even. Any and all interesting suggestions will be considered!

Thanks!
 
Well there are lots of ways you could go.

My tokay used to hide a lot and they are noctournal if I recall so that's going to rule that out, plus they will out-grow an 18" cube. You could get a crested, but just 1. They can have very pretty patterns, dont require UV and are very enjoyable to keep, and will use the 18" of height. Leopard geckos would probably never get off the ground, and in an Exo Terra that sucks because of the layout, so I'd stay away from that. You could get a smaller Day Gecko, but they require UV (Some have kept them without it with success) but they wont be big enough to see from very far away, at least most of them.

I'd recommend setting up a dart frog enclosure. They are really cool, I'm working on a 75 gallon display tank right now. Many of them are very bold and remain in sight constantly. They have striking colors, some have very nice calls, some will make use of the space and because of their colors you could see them from a few feet away. Their food is easy to make and inexpensive They do not require lighting but if you want to have a nice enclosure with plants you can get a variety of bulbs to cover the cage. You might have to make some small modifications to keep their food in the cage on the exo terras but nothing that's hard.

Deffinetly look into them.

www.dendroboard.com

Great site, tons of info.
 
Yeah the tokay although beautiful will outgrow that tank and hide all day. But then again most geckos will be harder to find due to their nature. If you get a nicely colored crested it wouldnt be to hard, I know all my yellow/orange girls are easy to find, my other two takes a bit of hunting(I know where they hide though). But flying geckos are pretty cool little geckos, getting alittle bigger than a crested, like 8".

I set up one of these tanks at work as a dartfrog setup with a water fall over the back styrafoam insurt thingy, its really cool as I have a porthos(think I spelled that right?) plants and some live spanish moss. We keep a small light over them,but it is simply a display light so people can see them. But with as small as they are you wont be able to see them real easily.
 
Thanks for the replies!!

Its ironic, my first idea was to use that cage for Darts! So I'll have to look into them a little more closely!

But I decided on Tokays, and I'm not going to use the exoterra, so it'll still be empty for a while. I ran across some sterilites that are made of very clear plastic, and about twice the depth and height of a 29gallon long, but the same width.

I also ran across two pairs of subadults for a really good price!

I'll be looking into the dart frog though, because that empty exoterra is still gonna make me crazy!
 
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