I need advice/help :(
This is my first post so, meet Mocha :)
Mocha I think is about 3 years? Maybe 2? I got her from someone else who neglected her.
I wish I could say I changed that, but I feel like I can’t :/
As you can see, she does have a 40 Gallon tank, but it is cracked :/ The wallpaper came with it, so I kept it in case it’s something she likes or comforts her.
She has some mediocre decoration and hides. They came with her, so I kept them (For now)
I have a heating lamp that came with her too. I only use 1 bulb because the other part of the lamps switch broke, so it’s always on. I’d rather not danger me, mocha and my plants with a fire hazard lol.
She use to hide a lot, but now she wanders here and there, so I think I’ve made minor progress :)
Something I’m also happy about, her old owners had pure sand and crystals as the ground, so I used the paper towel method after cleaning out her cage, and replaced it with dirt :)
My small and big concerns now :(
Small:
Hides: I don’t like her hides. Not because of how they look, but I feel like they aren’t enough for her. I don’t think her hot hide is enough for her to enjoy.
Plants: I think the plants are too green for a desert-like theme.
Grow light: To the right, there’s a grow light for the plants that grow right next to her. They are in a mini green house, but the glass is clear, so it does shine a little into her cage, but not much. I was wondering if that could have an effect on her?
Big:
Temp: I think her temp in the tank is a little too hot to have a cool hide. I don’t know what to do about it though :(
Interaction: I don’t interact with her much, because I’m scared of scaring her 😂 But I don’t want her to be scared or feel threatened. I pet her every once in a while, but not too much.
Biggest:
Food :(
I’m scared that she’s underweight and is always on the brink of death. I have dried meal worms, but that’s it. From reading your guys’ amazing posts, I’ve learned a decent amount of general stuff, and have realized that I need to give her live food. Here’s where THE biggest problem 2X comes; money.
I have no job, no income, and I’m in school. I have no way to make money right now. Especially enough to buy her live insects. I try to feed her, but she doesn’t eat them. I feel like the only thing she’s eating is her shedded skin :/
Due to my lack of money and stability to care for her, I’ve been heavily considering giving her to someone who has the money to care for her as much as she deserves.
I am just lost and don’t know what to do :( Do I keep her in these mediocre conditions, or do I give her to someone else?
Your geckos are full of such joy and whimsy. I hope to make her full of as much joy as yours. Even if that means giving her to someone else.