One or two female leos?

[Natalie]

I am planning a setup for one or two leopard geckos. There's a ReptiCon here next weekend and I can't WAIT to go pick a leo out! The biggest decision I have to make is whether to get one or two female leos. I think I'd be happy with one, but is there any benefit at all to having two (do they care about companionship????). It also might help me to get two if I can't make up my mind on just one color, haha.

If I get one, I'll get a 20g long at Petco, if two then a 40g breeder.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Vicious_Fish]

Well technically in the wild they're not a social animal by nature so one female would be fine. I have kept multiple females in the same tank before. They got a long pretty well but they will develop a pecking order. At the moment I have 2 pairs and they each have their own separate tanks.

 

[Natalie]

Thanks for your help, Vicious_Fish, I was hoping you'd respond. I think I'll just stick with one, as it seems being solitary is ok and a tankmate might result in stress to the less dominant one. Thanks again!

 

[Vicious_Fish]

You're very welcome. So what color morph are you thinking about getting?

 

[evilxyardxgnome]

One is great, as Seth said they are not social animals but if you were to get two you need to make sure there is enough hides for the cool and hot end so they can have their own hides. Also nice hideaways are great if they need some alone time.

 

[Natalie]

You're very welcome. So what color morph are you thinking about getting?

I think I might just get a normal-- they are beautiful IMO. I also like tangerine, and my friend has an albino tremper which is freaking gorgeous. I think I'll have to walk around the entire convention before I make my decision, so I don't regret it, haha.

One is great, as Seth said they are not social animals but if you were to get two you need to make sure there is enough hides for the cool and hot end so they can have their own hides. Also nice hideaways are great if they need some alone time.

Thanks, yeah I think that's why I'll just do one gecko. Can't wait!

 

[Natalie]

Oh one more question...

I'm going to provide heat via an UTH, but I'd also like to have a low-level light to provide a light cycle. I've heard about some side effects from using bulbs that are "too bright" (example: CF bulbs). Would a standard single-tube fluorescent bulb be ok, or would that still be too strong?

 

[Vicious_Fish]

I think I might just get a normal-- they are beautiful IMO. I also like tangerine, and my friend has an albino tremper which is freaking gorgeous. I think I'll have to walk around the entire convention before I make my decision, so I don't regret it, haha.

It's kind of funny but it can be hard to find "Normal/Wild" color morphs anymore. That's because the market is so saturated with custom color morphs. If you can't find one I have a 4 year old wild type female who I might be willing to part with. She's already laid 3 clutches of eggs for me this season. I did incubate and hatch two of them.

Oh one more question...

I'm going to provide heat via an UTH, but I'd also like to have a low-level light to provide a light cycle. I've heard about some side effects from using bulbs that are "too bright" (example: CF bulbs). Would a standard single-tube fluorescent bulb be ok, or would that still be too strong?

You're right, CFL can be very bright and can possibly hurt a leopard gecko's sensitive eyes that have evolved for nocturnal activity. I see nothing wrong with using a standard fluorescent tube, which in fact is what I use over my one pair's tank because I have a live plant in it.

 

[Natalie]

It's kind of funny but it can be hard to find "Normal/Wild" color morphs anymore. That's because the market is so saturated with custom color morphs. If you can't find one I have a 4 year old wild type female who I might be willing to part with. She's already laid 3 clutches of eggs for me this season. I did incubate and hatch two of them.

Wow, thanks! I'll keep you in mind if I don't find anything next weekend.

And thanks for the advice on lighting. I'm getting ready to make a Petsolutions order to get all my supplies.

 

[Natalie]

As I'm learning more about color morphs, I'm liking the Jungle and High Yellow ones. I have no clue how good the selection will be at the ReptiCon. Guess I'll find out soon enough!