Very concerned about my friends leopard gecko?

Question

she used to be really into her animals but now she kind of neglects them a bit. I was with her when she bought her leopard gecko about a year ago-it was a month old at the time-the last time i saw it about a month ago it had only grown about half an inch-but thats only one of my concerns-she keeps it in a 5 gallon tank and the only things in the tank are a water dish reptile carpet and 1 place for it to hide....no heat source...im not sure how often or how many crickets she feeds it but i know she doesnt dust them or gut load them

i mentioned these things to her before but she one of those "maybe next week" kind of people...

she also has a cuban tree frog- i dont know that much about them but-its in a 10 gallon tank littered with the egg cartons they sometimes put in bags with the crickets at the pet store....he doesnt seem to happy either....he spends most of his time sitting in the top corner of his cage....like i said i dont know much about them so i dont know if the need a heat source or whatever but he doesnt have one. nor does he have anything to climb on and being a TREE frog i think thats a bit of a problem.

i was thinking about just talking to her and telling her very plainly that she really isnt provideing her pets with what they need and she either needs to start taking care of them or i'll take them if she doesnt think she can or will.

what do you guys think?

Answer 1

It is important to dust the insects with a vitamin/mineral supplement first and to feed the correct size of insect for the animal.  Lizards fed an unsupplemented diet tend to develop vitamin A deficiency and osteodystrophy caused by the poor Ca:P ratio in insects.  Many insectivorous lizards in the wild also consume pollen, nectar and some fruit.  Sweet, fruit substitutes should be given sometimes.  The leopard gecko is a nocturnal lizard that has been bred in captivity for many generations and is pretty easy to handle.  Sounds as though the gecko has plenty of space for normal behaviour...they like to climb and swim.  Are there pieces of bark (or artificial material) under which the gecko can hide?  Should be a few choices...A temperature gradient (warmer at one end) so that the animal can select the temperature it prefers.  The heating element should be attached to a thermostat and monitored with a thermometer (ideally a maximum/minimum thermometer).  The drum/vivarium should be maintained at the inhabitant's preferred body temperature.

Lizards require good lighting for activity and foraging.  Various flourescent tubes are made specifically for vivaria and will provide some daylight and ultraviolet light.

Humidity is important.  Powerful heaters tend to dry the atmosphere.  Regular water-spraying with a plant mister will maintain a reasonable degree of humidity.  Also ensure air is getting into vivarium...important for maintaining health in the vivarium.  Common substrates for a vivarium include bark chippings, peat, aquarium gravel and sand.  Hygiene is essential...faeces should be removed as soon as possible.  Fresh water should be provided at all times.

Captive frogs must be fed twice weekly.  Adult frogs feed on insects such as fruit flies, crickets and mealworms.

I wouldn't recommend "taking them away" unless you have your friend's consent and/or are certain they will die...if it's worth losing your friendship over, then good luck to you.

Answer 2

I feel sorry for those animals. If she continues to neglect them, take charge and put them under your care. If she won't allow you to do so, threaten to call your local ASPCA under the terms of animal cruelty and neglect.

Answer 3

This is a touchy situation; the animals definitely need a responsible owner which very clearly she isn't. I would discuss your concerns with her plainly (like you mentioned) but do not be accusatory. That will only make things worse and the chance of you helping perhaps void.

It takes a lot of guts to confront someone (esp. a friend) on this and I applaud you for your concern and care. Good luck with the wee beasties. :)

Answer 4

A 5 GALLON TANK IS WAY TO SMALL FOR AN ADULT LEOPARD GECKO   IT HAS 2 BE AT LEAST 15 GALLON.......  AND NO HEAT SOURCE..... ask your friend if she realy likes them and if not u ask 2 have them  kause u sound like som11  hoo wood take kare of it:-o

Answer 5

take the frog and the gecko from her that is neglect the tree frog needs moisture and something to climb on the gecko needs heat

Answer 6

omg you need to give it to some one that knows how to take care of it please for the animal

Answer 7

These situations are always terribly difficult between friends, but your friend IS abusing the animals.  You might encourage her to let you have them and see how that goes.

If that fails, you might inform her it truly IS abuse, and punishable by law.  One call to Animal Control, and ZIP, she gets fined, and the animals are seized, in which case you may be able to adopt them later, after a vet check and quarantine.

It's never an easy situation.  I don't anything about the Cuban tree frog (size, etc.), but if that Leo gecko has only grown 1/2" in a year - it's a miracle it's even alive.  IT has a will to live, and should be given the chance!  

The gecko needs a recommend minimum size of a 20 gal. long tank as a single adult (but this poor darlin sounds badly stunted).  Even so, 5 gal. is just not enough to provide the exercise and heat gradients it needs.  It is amazing it can walk, if it's receiving no calcium in its diet.

It made me sick just read all this.  I wish I had an easy solution to offer you, but I don't.

My only advice is to either get her to give you the animals, or to report her, for their sake.  They ARE being abused.

This is just so very sad and inexcusable...

And I understand the tough spot it puts you in.

If you DO get the animals, feel free to email me at [e-mail] and type RESCUED PETS on the subject line.  I'll be happy to help you learn how to give them proper care.

I'm sorry I can't do more, and good luck.