Crocodile Geckos Or Other Pets, Visit ©2013 Petsmart Store Support Group, Inc
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SHOPPING LIST CROCODILE Step 1: Terrarium The standard for pet care 20-gallon (20-24" tall) or larger terrarium GECKO The Vet Assured Program includes: Screen lid, if not included with habitat Tarentola mauritanica • Specific standards our vendors agree to meet in caring for and observing pets for Step 2: Decor EXPERIENCE LEVEL: INTERMediate common illnesses. Reptile bark or calcium sand substrate • Specific standards for in-store pet care. Artificial/natural rock or wood hiding spot • The PetSmart Promise: If your pet becomes ill and basking site during the initial 14-day period, or if you’re not satisfied for any reason, PetSmart will gladly Branches for climbing and hiding replace the pet or refund the purchase price. Water dishes HEALTH Step 3: Care New surroundings and environments can be Heating and Lighting stressful for pets. Prior to handling your pet, give Reptile habitat thermometers (2) them 3-4 days to adjust to their new surroundings Ceramic heat emitter and fixture or nighttime while monitoring their behavior for any signs of bulb, if necessary stress or illness. Shortly after purchase, have a Lifespan: Approximately 8 years veterinarian familiar with reptiles examine your pet. Reptile habitat hygrometer (humidity gauge) PetSmart recommends that all pets visit a qualified Basking spot bulb and fixture Size: Up to 6” (15 cm) long veterinarian annually for a health exam. Lamp stand for UV and basking bulbs, Habitat: Temperate/Arboreal Environment if desired THINGS TO WATCH FOR Timer for light and heat bulbs, if desired • Runny droppings for more than two days Spray bottle for misting or an automatic fogger or mister, if desired • Eating or drinking less; weight loss • Swollen joints Food Appropriate size live crickets, mealworms • Discharge from the eyes, nose or mouth or waxworms • Shedding problems; discolored skin Cricket container Shop for your reptile in • Decreased basking; more time spent hiding Cricket food and cricket water gel If you notice any of the above signs, speak with Appropriate fresh fruits and vegetables a PetSmart store associate or reptile veterinarian 3 Simple Steps about the health of your pet. Calcium supplement Vitamin supplement, if desired Terrarium Decor Care This care guide contains general information for the proper care of your pet, but is not comprehensive. For more information, review the Habitat Set-up Guide and PetSmart® Care Guides were developed and the Heating and Lighting Guide. approved by PetSmart veterinarians. For more information on the care of Crocodile Geckos or other pets, visit ©2013 PetSmart Store Support Group, Inc. All rights reserved. PETSMART & Bouncing Ball SPRP_CRGD_025 Designs and VET ASSURED are trademarks of PetSmart Store Support Group, Inc. petsmart.com/careguides STEP 1 Terrarium STEP 3 Care Crocodile Geckos originate from the dry, rocky Crocodile Geckos require a temperature gradient Food regions of the Mediterranean in North Africa (cool bottom/warm top) to properly regulate their Crocodile Geckos are insectivores, meaning their and require a moderately warm and humid body temperature. Temperatures should also vary diet consists primarily of live insects. environment. Crocodile Geckos should be housed between daytime and nighttime hours • Crickets are Crocodile Geckos’ primary food individually, as they are territorial. Heating and Humidity source but variety is important for a balanced Terrarium • Equip the habitat with two G thermometers (one diet, so alternate the type of insects you feed • Use a A 20-gallon (20-24” tall) terrarium high and one low) to measure temperatures and your pet. or larger. one H hygrometer to monitor humidity. • Insects should be dusted with a calcium • A tall enclosure is preferable, as Crocodile • Provide heat with a I high-wattage basking bulb supplement twice weekly and a reptile Geckos like to climb. placed directly above the basking spot, which multivitamin once weekly. should be the warmest point in the habitat during • Choose a B screen lid, if not included with • Crocodile Geckos should be fed at nighttime. the day. Turn the basking bulb off for 12 hours the habitat. at night. Balanced Diet • Use a ceramic heat emitter, under-tank heater Examples Feeding Frequency STEP 2 Decor or nighttime heat bulb as needed to maintain nighttime temperatures. Substrate • Create and maintain humidity by keeping the Once daily. • Use 2-3” (5-8 cm) of C reptile bark to retain water dish full, misting your pet and habitat every Crickets*, moisture or calcium sand to reduce humidity, day or by using an automatic fogger, mister or Insects mealworms and Offer only enough to be depending on ambient humidity outside drip system, if desired. occasional consumed by the end of the habitat. waxworms the morning • Spot clean at least once a week and completely TARGET RANGE change substrate at least once a month. HUMIDITY 40-60% Decor *Crickets should be fed a “gut-loading” nutrient-rich diet • Include D rocks or branches to elevate your pet TEMPERATURE (commercially prepared) that will benefit your reptile when close to the heat source for basking (no closer they eat the crickets. than 8”). DAY - COOL AREA 75-80° F (24-27° C) • Provide E artificial or live branches and plants DAY - BASKING SPOT 90-95° F (32-35° C) for hiding and Water • Crocodile Geckos will drink from a shallow dish climbing. Make sure NIGHT 65-75° F (18-24° C) and lick moisture from their skin. live plants are I J safe for Crocodile • Empty and refill the water dish daily. Lighting Geckos and not B • Every reptile requires a 12-hour light/dark cycle. Other Reminders treated with Use caution when handling your pet and remember any chemicals. • Crocodile Geckos are nocturnal and spend most that all pets may bite or scratch, especially when daytime hours hidden, although they may come • Include a F G stressed. Supervise children around pets. H J water dish. out during the day to bask. Provide a UVA UVB fluorescent bulb* to give your gecko the Avoid picking up your gecko by the tail, as it • Ensure decor UVB they need to properly absorb calcium. may fall off. Crocodile Geckos are fast, so handle is large and stable G E carefully to avoid escape. • If desired, use a night-specific bulb to view enough for the size D your pet at night without disturbing their Pets may transmit disease to humans, so be sure to of your reptile, as A natural behavior. wash your hands before and after handling your pet Crocodile Geckos or cleaning the habitat. are active climbers. *Replace UVA/UVB bulbs every 6 months, as bulbs F may continue producing light without emitting C proper UVB. .