Orchid/gecko viv

[LionEve]

I'm quite familiar with Gold Dust Geckos and they were very friendly and wanted to climb on me etc. Never a sign being afraid. If they are scared and want run for their life they drop their tail (if I remember right), never happened.

That terrarium wasn't well planned and quite ascetic and there were no flowers. So I have no real experience of it. I'll tell here immediately if they do or don't eat flowers. If, then we can make delicatess menu for all geckos .

[nenella]

I thought geckos were carniverous...in africa they eat insects like mosquitoes! ...

[nenella]

sorry I forgot to add that you are quite right Lioneve, they drop their tails when scared but it grows back (their way of getting away from their predator)

[LionEve]

Day geckos eat crickets and other insects but also nectar and mashed fruits. They like so many things I'm a bit afraid how much they'll like orchid flowers. At least they are so light they can't sit them flat like our cat does sometimes.

[LionEve]

This is getting worse than I ever thought !! I'm already planning another terrarium (only for orchids).

I went yesterday into one internationally known furniture shop and bought a glass showcase. Next thing is I'm going tomorrow to hardware store with trailer and buy water resistand plywood for a floor, top and back wall. I boufht already silicone glue for corners etc. and then I'll still need fans. I decided to give a try for LED lights, we'll see are they any good.

With my kids I went yesterday to the forest nearby and look what I found dropped from a big pine


Most beautifull branch I think! There was also plenty of moss I picked small amounts from numerous places. This is getting crazier than I ever thought!!! Now there's going to be two terrariums already...

[Paul]

The geckos the author ws referring to with fright issue I think were some of the smaller, though more colorful day geckos. But again, I don't remember if that was just heresay he was repeating or if it was from first hand experience.

Lion, one heads up with the moss, if it is wild collected you may run the risk of introducing undesireable critters to your terr. Even if no bugs are visible, the possiblity of their eggs being in the moss exists.

[LionEve]

Thanks for your advice, Paul! This moss we collected is allthough for the other (smaller) only-for-orchid terrarium like the branch.

For gecko viv I'm going to buy all that kind of materials from shop.

[Lessthantito]

I keep a few species of day geckos and I also have a couple of orchid in my smaller geckos viv it has not flowered yet but they seem to really like the larger orchid because I found 4 eggs in my Phalaenopsis Mericlone (brother pirate king x sand pebbles this is what the tag on it says). Also I dont know what gecko forums/sites you have visited but Geckos Unlimited forums are really great and there is a lot of info about most day geckos there

[LionEve]

Thanks for a hint about that site, just registered in and looks good.

[kagura]

As for your substrate issue if you are looking for something to use that will be good for the gecko and for the orchids use coconut bark. The only time I have ever seen really eccentric geckos who were scared were the ones who were the overly bred ones where they bred back to keep certain genetic characteristics. In the end tho stick to a simple design with simple objects; that will be the easiest to care for and in the end will create endless opportunities for the geckos and the orchids. I don't know about gecko's eating orchid flowers. Oh and one more thing heating rocks are a BAD BAD IDEA! Geckos are way to little with way to thin skin to allow to stay on a heating rock, they will not only burn their skin but they can also cause burns to their internal organs. You should find a different alternative for keeping them warm. I found that a small heat light pointing on a dark colored stone works quite well. Just be sure to keep an eye on how hot the rock gets. Just remember that if it feels a little hot to the back of your hand imagine if you were a little gecko with papery thin skin on it. OUCH! I think once you get everything together it will be a harmonious climate for both the geckos and orchids. Good Luck. If you have some more questions just let me know. I have had quite a few reptiles and have a good amount of experience with lizards and geckos. >.<