I have this 4 inch long gecko and this 4 inch painted turtle and the turtle has always lived seperately, the gecko has always lived with another lizard but this lizard recently died, now he is depressed, can i house these 2 reptiles together?
2007-12-21 13:40:07 · 8 answers · asked by Jordan Stark 1 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
They require totally different habitats, food, lighting, humidity, temps, etc...not to mention the danger of cross-contamination, injury and the gecko eventually becoming a potential meal.
Your gecko could be a little depressed. It's not uncommon for a reptile to show obvious signs of being in a funk when the other is no longer there. It will pass...:-)
2007-12-21 13:58:57 · answer #1 · answered by prism_wolf 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The risk that others have mentioned is true, the turtle may see the gecko's little limbs and tail as snackfood to be tasted. Mourning isn't known to be completely impossible in reptiles, but it's generally considered unlikely. That doesn't mean you are imagining things though. Changes in your gecko's behavior since the death of its cage-mate could be a symptom of whatever was wrong with the other lizard. It could be something as simple as needing a change in diet or habitat (temperature, lighting, or humidity). This time of year, depending on where you live, things like forced-air heat vents or window drafts too near your reptile can be culprits of a decline in health. Not to cause undo worry, but disease or parasites can cause sluggish behavior too, so just to play it extra safe, you don't want expose your turtle to a potential illness by introducing the two. I would suggest giving the gecko's enclosure an extra cleaning and keeping a close eye on him for a while before letting him socialize with any other reptile. If the gecko's health doesn't decline, but it still seems lonesome to you in a few weeks, then it might be safer to get him another gecko his own size to stare at. :) Good luck!
2007-12-21 23:05:30 · answer #2 · answered by scribble 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you are seeing depression with your reptile. However anything is possible. The turtle will get larger and could harm the gecko so I would keep them in separate terrariums.
2007-12-21 21:47:28 · answer #3 · answered by Krys B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think your lizard is depressed. Maybe he is sick from whatever killed the other lizard.
But no, they can't live together. the turtle would most likely eat the gecko. And they could cross-contaminate germs.
2007-12-21 22:36:25 · answer #4 · answered by Shannon XoXo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How will you effectively house them together? The Painted is a water animal, and geckos are not.
It is RARELY a good idea to mix types of animals in the same habitat.
2007-12-21 22:14:07 · answer #5 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Lizards don't get depressed or lonely.
If you house them together, the turtle will nip at the lizard, and possibly eat it.
2007-12-21 21:56:40 · answer #6 · answered by Dion J 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, their needs are very different. The gecko is not depressed--reptiles rarely cohab together in nature.
2007-12-21 21:57:33 · answer #7 · answered by KimbeeJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
uhhh no
thats like asking if you can have a fish and a dog live together...
2007-12-22 15:20:02 · answer #8 · answered by Ajaxnl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋