To group or not to group - 2 female leos

[MiniMonsters]

Hi All,

I've had two lovely leo girls for about 3 months who are now outgrowing their baby stripes and currently live in separate plastic tanks with paper towel substrate (not actually RUBs, but approx 2ftx1ft 35l). Both are eating well (mealies, crickets and occasional small locusts), pooing normally, shedding well, growing (not weighed them, note to self, should do this) and are being kept under quarantine conditions (have not yet done faecals, but this will be done soon). Now, these girls are obviously quite happy in their plastic tubs, but... I've got a 3x2x1.5 wooden viv sitting empty that I could set up as a much more interesting habitat for them. What would people suggest... I realise that in terms of monitoring their health/feeding, it's much easier to keep them apart (I do feed crickets/locust outside their tanks in smaller feeding boxes anyway at the moment), but to enrich their lives in terms of having a bigger environment with the potential of adding far more interesting things to climb etc, should I put them together in the viv? I realise that this question can be answered either way, but just interested to get some different views.

Thanks, Kate

[SleepyD]

if they're the same age/size (and everything is allclear) then you could try them together in the other viv though I would recommend keeping an eye on them for any sign of bullying/fighting and would keep a spare set-up incase you have to seperate them quickly

[sazzle]

providing you're certain they are definitely both female and both healthy and 'nasties' free (after poop check) i can't see why not just be prepared to split them as they may not necessarily get on... i have no issue at all with any of my girls being together and never have but there are some people who have leos that fight x

[SleepyD]

Originally Posted by sazzle

i have no issue at all with any of my girls being together and never have but there are some people who have leos that fight x

problem is even if they don't physically fight as bite etc bullying/stress can still occur in even the friendliest set-up
OP I recently did an article with regards to behaviour etc which you may find helpful Leopard Gecko Behaviour

[sazzle]

considering they all eat, regularly gain weight and share hides i'm pretty sure there are no problems

[MiniMonsters]

Thanks to you both. I got them from a lad on here at the Norwich Show who was as confident as he could be that they're female and as they're separate at the moment, I haven't attempted to check yet. I've just tried to give them lots of time to settle down and relax about being handled and make sure they're feeding well. Thanks for the link to the behaviour information - that's really useful even if I don't put them together in the end.

Kate

[jools]

I agree with all that has been said. I used to co-house Leos in 2 large vivs and all was well for over 12 months - no signs of any aggression, stress or dominance issues. I really liked having the trios together and I firmly believe that the Leos benefitted as well. However they are now all separated due to fighting breaking out - completely out of the blue. They are all much lazier now, spending more time in their hides. I believe that although they don't need company, that and the larger vivs, did provide a certain amount of stimulus for them.
So my advice would be to try them together - as long as you are sure of their gender - and watch them like a hawk - not just initially but always. Keep track of their weights etc. Keep enough spare set-up (a mat, stat and a rub at least) that you could separate them imediately in an emergency. Good luck.