getting leo in 1 week, checking what ive learnt is correct

[onemanandhisfrog]

just a checklist off the top of my head could you guys add anything ive missed or correct me if im wrong about the info ive learned so far about caring for leaopard gecko, ill be getting it in about a week so i really wanna be prepared

General:
humidity - low
hot side 88-90 moist hide in hot side
cool side 70-75 cool hide on that side to
water bowl
calcium dish
gonna feed it dubia roaches as i heard they dont bite the gecko and mix it up with some meal worms etc
got natural pices of slate with a small ammount of fine play sand in between
heat mat with habistat
normal light tube on timer from 7am to 7pm
local vet found if needed
got all cleaning/disinfectant equipment
supplements
gut loading food for roaches

when i first get it:
dont handle it for about a week let it settle in
try feeding it but dont be suprised if it doesnt eat while settling in
when shedding look out for skin attached to toes/head etc

handling/getting him used to me:
slowly at first let him come on to my hand/ or get used to my hand
handle for 5 minutes at a time couple times a day and then build up slowly


anything else i should know or have missed or got wrong? thanks in advance

[wacky69]

sounds good but if your getting a young leo I wouldnt advise the sand, use kitchen roll or newspaper, any none loose substrate!

Make sure the heat mat covers 1/3 to half of the viv!

also get a digital thermometer aswell as a stat just to double check emps, we use an infra red one!

Also althou some people use uv there isnt a 100% answer that it is required!

we also have our moist hide half on and half off the heat!
we provide various other hides also!

for a calcium dish we use a milk bottle top. If you are feeding mealies provide them 24/7 in a bowl and give roaches on a evening, we use a glass dish which is high enough so they wont climb out!

Are you breeding roaches as if so you will need another heat mat to heat them and also we gut load ours with veg and same for the mealies, pea pods work well!
Id suggest using limestone flour and nutrabol as ur supplements, limestone 5 days and nutrabol 2!

hope that helps and good luck with your rep!

[ToxicSiren]

Glad you do the reasearch! I d just change a couple of things......Have noist hide in cold side as it will dry out too quick on warm side and have cave on warm side as they tend to sleep there all day. Personally i wouldnt have a light on as they are nocturnal and natural day light is good enough.Light can add extra heat you dont need and waist of electricity. For substrate dont use any loose substrates like sand, calsi sand etc as geckos tend to eat it when stricking at prey. If it gets eaten it can cause impaction which can lead to serious health problems/death. Rest all sounds fab! x