Java and Viola

Here is my gecko, Java, he is about four months old, I’m guessing. I’ve had him since about the beginning of August 2022. It took a little time for him to get use to me but not too much. It’s cool handling/holding a gecko, they are very cute! I’m still working on a bigger habitat for him but this is his home for now. Getting his temperature and humidity right has been quite the challenge. I worry about leaving him for longer than an hour. Either his temperature will start to be too high (above 95F) or his humidity will be to high (above 40F). Either way, it has been quite the challenge, which I’m still working on….

In regards to feeding, that did seem like it would be a problem. He, for some reason would not eat freeze dried crickets. So, I purchased him live worms, and he’s doing much better now. If it moves, and other conditions are satisfied, he’ll eat them – keeping in mind, he is a carnivore. I’ve also noticed, for now, he likes to jump a lot. He will jump out of my hands quite quickly. I try not to take him out too often or I let him crawl on me – that typically works out best. The point – very cool!

As of 8/1/2023

Java has a friend, VIOLET! Violet is my newest pet gecko. I got her in July of 2023. Actually, it's Viola Violet. I learned that geckos when they are younger, have a greyish color. As they get older, it becomes more tangerine. Anyways, she is doing well and is eating very good. Very Happy! While we believe there might be forces at work against us here, I think we're doing much better this go around. I've taken a bit of a different approach with her habitat. It's more similar to my tortoise habitat. She seems to be doing fine with it.

One very very very important thing that I've learned with geckos is that a dehumidifier is a must! Depending on the humidity to be right (or low) enough for them in certain parts of the year (e.g. summer) just won't happen! Long exposure to incorrect humidity can be very harmful to them. So if you are going to invest in a gecko, get a dehumidifier!

In regards to Java, he is doing well. I got him a new habitat about six months ago or so. Very spacious and very nice for him. I think it's probably just about perfect for him. He doesn't eat as much now, but I read that as they get a bit older, they only need to eat every few days. Violet on the other hand, has a very healthy appetite, but then again, she is a growing gecko.

I wasn't too concerned about getting two of them, but I did make sure that one is male and one is female. They took to each other quite quickly and are doing well together. They are actually quite cute together. They are still getting to know each other but are getting along perfectly. Since I really hadn't planned on breeding, just though they would like the company, I got them separate habitats. Per usual, very cool!

As of 7/17/2024

No new updates for my pets here, not really. They are both doing well and I've been fixing up their habitats, but that's about it. However, one very important update is that Violet has been renamed to Viola! With a very beautiful "Viola" flower to accompany! Also, I tried to build an outdoor habitat which didn't work out too well. Geckos are very small animals and if you didn't know, they can "climb"....right out of the habitat if you're not careful.

I've since decided I'm going to provide them with a much larger habitat (that doubles for my iguanas - Spiney and Sequoia) in my enclosed porch on my deck. That way they'll be able to look outside from up high from a safe place. They can "share" space with the iguanas when the weather is warmer. We'll see how it goes.