Your Reptile and Amphibian Resource and Information Site

Back to Geckos Forum   Forums   Home   Members Area  

Geckos Forum

CJW   KrazyKelli  
 Member  Message

 #1807937


CJW
View Profile

 Okay to release in backyard???

I obtained a small what I believe to be mediterranean gecko from a co-worker who’s children were abusive to it. It is very small and has not grown in the 6 or so months that I’ve had it. I try and catch it bugs outside but often have no luck so it sometimes goes a couple days with no food. It was in a very tiny plastic box when I received it and I’ve since moved it into a bigger aquarium. I’m worried that it is not getting enough to eat and that it would be better off outside. I have many mediterranean geckos in my front and back yards. It has no trouble catching the flying bugs that I put in it’s aqaurium and I have a feeling that it was caught outdoors by the previuosly mentioned children to begin with. Can I let it go? Will it be able to survive or has it been in a cage for too long? Do geckos lose their natural instincts? If not okay to let go, how do I become a better gecko Mommy? I feel like the poor thing is miserable and starving. Please help.
07/25/08  01:03am

 #1807943


KrazyKelli
View Profile



   Message To: CJW   In reference to Message Id: 1807937


 Okay to release in backyard???

If the gecko started off wild, then returning it to the wild should not be a problem. It’s less of a problem with geckos than it is for, say, turtles. (Geckos have a good way of finding their own food and surviving while turtles memorize their first living space and cannot adjust back after being out of it for over a week, for those who don’t know). Med geckos are an invasive species and came from people who brought it over on trips, ships, and what have you.

The only large risk with letting it go is if it has some unknown disease that could hurt the current wild population in your backyard. If the co-worker’s children caught it from their own backyard, this probably wont be a problem.


In no way am I suggesting that everyone lets their geckos run free outside. This specific case is only okay because the gecko was probably removed from the wild in the same area, it’s not endangered, and because there are others of its kind everywhere there already.



07/25/08  01:16am


Back to Geckos Forum   Forums   Home   Members Area