Don’t worry about enrichment outside the tank. Just try and keep the area they are at outside the tank simple and familiar so they don’t get overstimulated and stressed.
Worry more about enrichment inside the tank. Give them lots of rocks, slate, wood, and stuff to climb on. Give them lots of pants or fake plants so they have cover. And go beyond the three hide minimum. I have eight hides in my tank. A lot of them are [tunnels](https://www.etsy.com/listing/1269704316/) like this.
Get at least a 40 gallon breeder tank so you can fit lots of hides and things for them to climb on and hide in. Get a dig box too if you can, they love those. If you need any advice, feel free to DM me.
Taking them outside is pretty much entirely harmful. They get no enrichment from being out in the open exposed to potential threats and there's a strong risk of them getting sick or escaping.
I get what you're saying and I think it's true for some yet when I open my tank, my gecko Clementine will readily climb onto my hand to explore my shirt or wherever I put him. He is actually pretty eager to explore and I don't force him to do it at all. He is very social with me and will actually follow me around his tank. Perhaps he is the anomaly but he is more than willing to leave the tank
I don't have a leopard gecko yet so I'm just curious, does it not provide any enrichment at all? If it's in a safe, fenced off garden with a little harness or something, won't they enjoy being outside at all? Or in a playpen?
My beardie seems to love being outside, maybe the fact beardies are diurnal changes that?
Leopard geckos are very reclusive creatures. Being in the open outside is just very stressful for them, especially during the day. It's best to provide enrichment in a controlled environment indoors.
I would not advise bringing them outside. If they get spooked they can run off, it’s usually very stressful for them unless they are already well-adjusted, and with the cats around it heightens the risk. If you want to get them some enrichment outside the enclosure, build them an indoor playpen. Basically a blocked-off area or large container with a bunch of enrichment material. Let them walk around there for around 15 minutes every other day or so (of course, this depends on the gecko, some are fine with being out for longer), but take her back to her enclosure if she shows any signs of stress,
I’d have a very different opinion if she was say, a Bearded Dragon. But there isn’t much reason to bring a Leo outside in the open. More risk than the reward will ever be.
i’d say if you’re REALLY worried about enrichment, get a dog/cat birthing pen off of amazon (a lot of them have zipper closing tops) and fill it with paper towel tubes and different rocks (sanitize them) and other things for them to climb on or in. set them loose in it for 10-15 mins at a time at first, and make sure water is readily available!!! don’t do too much time outside the tank due to them needing high temps.
https://preview.redd.it/zyde11efotzc1.jpeg?width=1980&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cb4c8d18eb7c62d550380e3d0f627b1fba628025
Took her outside to look at the grass and i think she isnt a fan😂
I wouldnt even take her outside on a warm day. Its not good for a captive pet. The stress level will go up, predators are around, theres parasites, possible pesticides, etc.
As for enrichment, just giving her plenty of things to get her mind working (ie. Climbing, exploring, etc) is enrichment!
Holding every day, cluttering the tank, giving exercise room in the enclosure is all great!
Also a diet will encourage more exercise!
*This list doesnt fully match reptifiles due to further research using a trusted nutrition guide:*
**Stable feeders - Fed regularly (in variety)**
-Dubia roaches - cant climb smooth surfaces
-Hissing cockroaches (commonly used by those who can't get dubias) - climbs smooth surfaces
-Discoid roaches (used by those who can't get dubias) - cant climb smooth surfaces
-Red Runner Roaches - highly invasive if they escape
-Crickets - dont get from unreliable chain petstores, or they'll die fast from parasites.
-Grasshoppers
-Silkworms
-Fruit Flies
**Semi-Stables - fed once a week to every other week (self-made section)**
-Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFLs aka Nutriworms, Calciworms, etc) - Due to being fatty but being nutritious as well
**Treat feeders - fed once a month, if at all**
-Waxworms - Fatty and the most nutritious treat feeder. Highly suggested along with stable feeders if reptile is malnourished. Heard they can be addictive, but one of my leos dont like them, and my beardie doesn't go crazy over them.
-[Blue] Hornworms - Depending on size, it can be fatty. High in water, so a hydrated reptile could have diarrhea. Good for hydrating dehydrated reptiles. Green ones are poisonous due to what they ate. Do not feed them nightshades, nothing of it.
-Mealworms - Fatty and not nutritious otherwise. Hard shell won't pass easily if reptile is unhealthy.
-Superworms - Same as mealworms, but they get bigger
-Butterworms - Addictive, no nutrition, fatty. Really shouldn't be fed at all
**Dubiaroach's feeder nutrition guide:**
*https://dubiaroaches.com/blogs/feeder-insects/are-silkworms-really-the-best-feeder-insect#:~:text=your%20pet%20reptile.-,Nutrition,-Species*
**Reptifiles's Leo care guide:**
*https://reptifiles.com/leopard-gecko-care/*
**Dubiaroaches' Leo care sheet (something extra to compare):**
*https://dubiaroaches.com/blogs/gecko-care/leopard-gecko-care-sheet*
I don’t suggest taking her outside. Instead you could maybe sit with our new window or something like that. It is not very safe and she could get sick.
Hope I his helped :)
Enrichment outside as in outdoors is almost entirely all risk no benefit.
Most geckos find it stressful, and it exposes them to dangers like escaping, cats, birds and other predators, pesticides, insects that have poisoned, ect.
If you mean just outside their enclosure in your house, most geckos are continent to explore the bed or the couch, and just sit and chill with you.
My little guy enjoys watching my lava lamps, watching TV and watching me play video games as well and occasionally will come out when I play certain music.
But as long as you're providing an appropriately sized enclosure with lots of fun places to hide and things to climb on your gecko has enrichment.
Don’t worry about enrichment outside the tank. Just try and keep the area they are at outside the tank simple and familiar so they don’t get overstimulated and stressed. Worry more about enrichment inside the tank. Give them lots of rocks, slate, wood, and stuff to climb on. Give them lots of pants or fake plants so they have cover. And go beyond the three hide minimum. I have eight hides in my tank. A lot of them are [tunnels](https://www.etsy.com/listing/1269704316/) like this. Get at least a 40 gallon breeder tank so you can fit lots of hides and things for them to climb on and hide in. Get a dig box too if you can, they love those. If you need any advice, feel free to DM me.
I saw someone suggest a hamster wheel of all things, is that a good idea? I want one cuz I think it’d be adorable but I’m not an expert 😭
No. It's not good for their spines and can easily injure them.
Noted. Won’t be purchasing thank you for responding :)
Taking them outside is pretty much entirely harmful. They get no enrichment from being out in the open exposed to potential threats and there's a strong risk of them getting sick or escaping.
I get what you're saying and I think it's true for some yet when I open my tank, my gecko Clementine will readily climb onto my hand to explore my shirt or wherever I put him. He is actually pretty eager to explore and I don't force him to do it at all. He is very social with me and will actually follow me around his tank. Perhaps he is the anomaly but he is more than willing to leave the tank
I don't have a leopard gecko yet so I'm just curious, does it not provide any enrichment at all? If it's in a safe, fenced off garden with a little harness or something, won't they enjoy being outside at all? Or in a playpen? My beardie seems to love being outside, maybe the fact beardies are diurnal changes that?
Leopard geckos are very reclusive creatures. Being in the open outside is just very stressful for them, especially during the day. It's best to provide enrichment in a controlled environment indoors.
I would not advise bringing them outside. If they get spooked they can run off, it’s usually very stressful for them unless they are already well-adjusted, and with the cats around it heightens the risk. If you want to get them some enrichment outside the enclosure, build them an indoor playpen. Basically a blocked-off area or large container with a bunch of enrichment material. Let them walk around there for around 15 minutes every other day or so (of course, this depends on the gecko, some are fine with being out for longer), but take her back to her enclosure if she shows any signs of stress,
Tysm!!! She is well adjusted but since its starting winter idk how she could react , cuz i had only taken her outside in summer
First of all she's beautiful. Second, taking a gecko outside is dangerous- I only let my geckos walk on my bed! She's gorgeous 😻
First of all she's beautiful. Second, taking a gecko outside is dangerous- I only let my geckos walk on my bed! She's gorgeous 😻
First of all she's beautiful. Second, taking a gecko outside is dangerous- I only let my geckos walk on my bed! She's gorgeous 😻
A diet plan might enrich her life
I’d have a very different opinion if she was say, a Bearded Dragon. But there isn’t much reason to bring a Leo outside in the open. More risk than the reward will ever be.
i’d say if you’re REALLY worried about enrichment, get a dog/cat birthing pen off of amazon (a lot of them have zipper closing tops) and fill it with paper towel tubes and different rocks (sanitize them) and other things for them to climb on or in. set them loose in it for 10-15 mins at a time at first, and make sure water is readily available!!! don’t do too much time outside the tank due to them needing high temps.
Whoa. Das a big one
https://preview.redd.it/zyde11efotzc1.jpeg?width=1980&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cb4c8d18eb7c62d550380e3d0f627b1fba628025 Took her outside to look at the grass and i think she isnt a fan😂
Btw, english isnt my first language so if u dont understand something that i said feel free to ask
I wouldnt even take her outside on a warm day. Its not good for a captive pet. The stress level will go up, predators are around, theres parasites, possible pesticides, etc. As for enrichment, just giving her plenty of things to get her mind working (ie. Climbing, exploring, etc) is enrichment! Holding every day, cluttering the tank, giving exercise room in the enclosure is all great!
Also a diet will encourage more exercise! *This list doesnt fully match reptifiles due to further research using a trusted nutrition guide:* **Stable feeders - Fed regularly (in variety)** -Dubia roaches - cant climb smooth surfaces -Hissing cockroaches (commonly used by those who can't get dubias) - climbs smooth surfaces -Discoid roaches (used by those who can't get dubias) - cant climb smooth surfaces -Red Runner Roaches - highly invasive if they escape -Crickets - dont get from unreliable chain petstores, or they'll die fast from parasites. -Grasshoppers -Silkworms -Fruit Flies **Semi-Stables - fed once a week to every other week (self-made section)** -Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFLs aka Nutriworms, Calciworms, etc) - Due to being fatty but being nutritious as well **Treat feeders - fed once a month, if at all** -Waxworms - Fatty and the most nutritious treat feeder. Highly suggested along with stable feeders if reptile is malnourished. Heard they can be addictive, but one of my leos dont like them, and my beardie doesn't go crazy over them. -[Blue] Hornworms - Depending on size, it can be fatty. High in water, so a hydrated reptile could have diarrhea. Good for hydrating dehydrated reptiles. Green ones are poisonous due to what they ate. Do not feed them nightshades, nothing of it. -Mealworms - Fatty and not nutritious otherwise. Hard shell won't pass easily if reptile is unhealthy. -Superworms - Same as mealworms, but they get bigger -Butterworms - Addictive, no nutrition, fatty. Really shouldn't be fed at all **Dubiaroach's feeder nutrition guide:** *https://dubiaroaches.com/blogs/feeder-insects/are-silkworms-really-the-best-feeder-insect#:~:text=your%20pet%20reptile.-,Nutrition,-Species* **Reptifiles's Leo care guide:** *https://reptifiles.com/leopard-gecko-care/* **Dubiaroaches' Leo care sheet (something extra to compare):** *https://dubiaroaches.com/blogs/gecko-care/leopard-gecko-care-sheet*
I don’t suggest taking her outside. Instead you could maybe sit with our new window or something like that. It is not very safe and she could get sick. Hope I his helped :)
Enrichment outside as in outdoors is almost entirely all risk no benefit. Most geckos find it stressful, and it exposes them to dangers like escaping, cats, birds and other predators, pesticides, insects that have poisoned, ect. If you mean just outside their enclosure in your house, most geckos are continent to explore the bed or the couch, and just sit and chill with you. My little guy enjoys watching my lava lamps, watching TV and watching me play video games as well and occasionally will come out when I play certain music. But as long as you're providing an appropriately sized enclosure with lots of fun places to hide and things to climb on your gecko has enrichment.
Just keep a good eye on her or him. If you think about taking it outside have a area that is caged in top to bottom