9 Year Evolution of My Geckos & Their Vivariums: What I've Learned

I can't believe it's been nine years since I got Henry, the Crested Gecko! If there's an animal I've shown the most, it's definitely split between him and Samson. Henry (aka The Homie) is a very special animal/gecko to me. Aside from being an absolute character, he jump started my journey of keeping New Caledonia Geckos. I enjoyed him so much that I later ended up with two more, one of which is a Gargoyle Gecko.
I can't get enough of these incredible animals and I'm excited to share this one with you. It's crazy to see how much I've honed my craft and learned over the years. This story does a great job illustrating that. Plus, you can never have enough gecko content... Right?!
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[@SerpaDesign]

I’m so excited to share this one with you! I’ve been planning on it for a while but had to wait until the nine-year mark. It’s wild how fast time flies, though! It seems like just yesterday that I got all three of the geckos. Which one is your favorite? Let me know! Enjoy and have a great weekend SerpaSquad!

[@nickymasangu9255]

Hello @serpadesign i just a bit curious where your love of wildlife n nature came from..did u take a course or?

[@Tycamu]

Good work, im waiting to see when youre gonna build your goldfish pond, hope it will be more natural than the other you had in the other house 😊

[@omgineedtoshitsobadrnhelp]

Lol I don’t believe “Favorites” bytcc bc that’s ok if I where to get one I would pic a Crested Gecko! Idk why but they catch my eye!

[@IgorEngelen1974]

You were talking about getting them larger homes. Would that mean higher or wider?

[@fredericapanon207]

Cynthia has an incredible iris pattern.

[@piteusx8440]

Tanner does it right. Instead of getting new animals to drive subs, he continually improves the lives of his existing animals to get people to watch.

[@excaliburexoticreptiles]

Thank you for constantly inspiring the community to thrive to make the most naturalistic spaces around

[@PokeCollector.]

400th like

[@lukediehl1210]

Wow, I can't imagine 9 years of hand feeding. When I got my leopard gecko, Superpetz recommended hand feeding, but he loved hunting for live prey, and I always thought it was better for his physical and emotional health to let him live out his natural instincts. I only hand fed for the last 2 years of his life because his eyesight was failing. RIP Little Guy. It was a fun 14 years.

[@No0dl-]

RIP little guy

[@blank-pfp-e7]

Sorry for your loss. That hurts RIP little Guy❤️.

[@hannahl5838]

I hand fed my gecko when I got her and now she won’t eat another way.

[@ItalianCountryball11]

Rip for your lil guy ☹️

[@kahnfamily9467]

as an owner of a crested gecko, i just love this video! you inspire me to give my gecko the best care possible. keep doing what you're doing!

[@Ellie0427]

Having the maturity and the patience to let the animal determine handling frequency and style is incredibly uncommon, especially in today's age of constantly chasing instant gratification. When we do, though, we really end up having relationships with them that enrich our lives (and hopefully, theirs as well). Thank you for the reminder of this through sharing your gecko journey.

[@mischymischy8321]

You should go to Kanaky/New Caledonia! I have seen so many wild geckos there!! I had a window covered one night! so cute! They are also the symbol of social groups!!

[@SerpaDesign]

I'd love to go someday!

[@moonbasket]

It is so inspiring how much work you have put into redoing these enclosures over the years. Especially with regards to how it has improved the emotional state of your reptiles. It's great to see people focusing on the mental health of all their animals.

[@rikstevely6388]

Quick tip. It’s not 100% effective but when you feel a sneeze coming, push your tongue against the roof of your mouth to hold it off until you are able to safely sneeze, sometimes it will remove the sensation completely after a short period of time. Hope that saves some tails in the future.

[@candice2775]

I love how you show the improvements as you gain more knowledge and experience. That's one of the reasons I enjoy your videos so much, you admit mistakes and learn better ways. Henry's little frog butt is adorable btw. Delilah is gorgeous as always. Cynthia just may be one of those animals who is less interested in being handled. You're doing right by letting her be herself and not pushing her to be what you want/expect.

[@Pawpawlogan]

I hope I look that good in 8 years. Thanks for the videos and updates!

[@morganw.4711]

The longevity of your animals is a testament to your care and love. ❤️

[@jmarshal]

You’re such an inspiration for caring, nurturing animal husbandry. Providing them natural, realistic spaces that are clean but bioactive, just like their forest homes goes such a long way in making healthy, content animals. You can really see the bond you have with Henry. Geckos are such inquisitive, smart creatures and it’s easy to see how happy yours are. I’d love to see you recreate the three tanks set up again but twice as tall. It would look fantastic in the new animal room. Thank you once again for being such a positive force in this hobby.

[@Rohinthas]

Yours is one of the few channels where a "Looking back"-video makes so much sense, so much has happened! I really enjoyed seeing the journey and habits of your three friends and its also really cool to see the subtle changes in your methods! I would enjoy more of these for the other animals (especially the reptiles and amphibians; I like to look at fish but I cant empathize so much with them and their story, but hey glad if you can prove me wrong!)

[@montialarson]

You're literally one of the most amazing people on this planet. You do so much good for animals and the landscapes you create are always beautiful and peaceful. 😊

[@ronnie1503]

I love that you’ve been doing so many re-dos on the channel as of late. It’s so lovely to see that you always do your best to change the animals’ environments as they grow, and it’s nice to see which changes are needed in order to create the best and oftentimes the most natural homes for them. I’m always wary of people who keep exotic animals, but with every video it becomes clearer that you out everything into caring for the lot that you have. Wonderful video as always!! Thank you for continuing to make these every week, it’s such a great to get great content so frequently. Take care!! 💃

[@magichatty]

I always thoroughly enjoy your videos! Your gecko friend, Cynthia, is like a couple of feral cats that I took in...I describe those cats as "living in the background" in my home. They needed care and safety. I provide that and am thrilled when I get a glimpse of them at times. Life is short and I'm enjoying my journey and just trying to help others enjoy theirs. Thank you for helping so many enjoy their journies, as well.

[@BrenQ99]

I don’t think there have ever been 3 Geckos better cared for, or given more love. You are an exceptional human being.

[@TygerBleuToo]

I saw this video at breakfast. Later on I went to the market with my sister; she was driving. I told her the bit about you sneezing so hard Henry’s tail fell off and she laughed so hard she almost wrecked us. You see, we have quite a number of abandoned cats and the worst that happens if we surprise sneeze is they scatter. She said she’s sorry Henry lost his tail, but she instantly imagined what it would be like if cats dropped their tails and she couldn’t stop laughing. Thanks again for your wonderful work and storytelling.

[@evolution565]

I love these videos! So inspiring and entertaining

[@cherellzandell]

Truly, what else can you say?!

[@bobbyhill8808]

Scoring those magnets (or anything metal) with a lower grit sandpaper like 80 or 120 grit will help the epoxy stick better. Amazing build as always!

[@reillygilligan9892]

Always love these videos so much it helps add so much personality to the animals and tanks

[@kembrapowers62]

Thank you for loving them fully and properly 😊 They really are wonderful to have. My albino crested gecko and my Chinchilla would sit and watch TV together.

[@henrystp]

Your videos are always a highlight of my week. Thank you for sharing your animals and setups with us!

[@lupa4262]

I absolutely love the acknowledgement that providing a better living space also leads to more trust and positive interaction.

[@Pats4Bunny]

It’s always a good day when you post a video

[@azimalif266]

You can add a long wood accent, divide it into 3 segments. Add in a way that makes it look like it goes trough all 3 sections.

[@cerisekappes580]

Love the trip down memory lane!!!! Those are some lucky geckos! ❤😊❤

[@GavinDeboo]

Henry is probably my favorite animal you have

[@AlmightyThagomizer]

I have a gargoyle gecko and a leachianus. This video will be great inspiration for the future - I’m moving soon and will be taking advantage of the opportunity to set them up in new enclosures.

[@katiewatkins96]

I used your videos to help with my newest build- a 22x30x40 habitat for my rescue crested gecko. He's absolutely thriving and I'm so happy I was able to make him something special. Keep doing what you're doing!

[@Red3Rulez]

I love this compilation of everything - my brain is so happy learning what improvements you made between enclosures and when planning for upcoming enclosures

[@zisaletter4602]

Hah, incredible timing - just an hour ago i finally started on my first vivarium build ever, for a crested gecko, heavily inspired by yours :D EDIT/UPDATE: finished it today and put her in, and SHE! LOVES! IT!!! my husband and i sat there for an hour just watching her explore her new surroundings, jumping and climbing, smelling everything like crazy. it was awesome! thank you for inspiring us!!

[@profactsconnected]

This is awesome and the only appropriate way to keep animals like these! Great to see somebody actually care about hosting animals at home.

[@mariahmoosymoose470]

I love you’re work!!! I’m learning on bioactive vivariums and how to care for them There’s something that’s just soothing about your videos and has me eager to make one for my gargoyle

[@Sandra-lk5yt]

Oh man I got teary in your wrap up of the video 🥲 Your comments about ever improving and that mutual trust you build with your animals was really moving. I have 3 juvenile Murray River (Eastern Short Neck) turtles. I never planned to have turtles so it’s been a huge learning curve to give them a good home. I recently built them a large raised pond, it has so many naturalistic features and they can bask in the sun on gnarled driftwood or hide in shady spots amongst lily pads. I’m a huge native plant lover so I’ve managed to get 10 different native plant species in there for them. I’ve got an underwater version of a clean up crew in there too haha. I guess I got teary knowing they came from a small, bare glass tank to this epic set up where I hope, like you always do, they’ll thrive. I’ve watched your vids for years and you’re a huge inspiration. I’m confident that not only will they grow into this space well, but the next spaces will be even better. Looking forward to your next post, love these enclosure ones 😊💚🐢

[@hannahhowden8980]

Cresties are my favourite buddies 😊 though I do find a big difference between their behaviour in 2’ tall terrariums vs the 5’ tall ones I have now. If you can go that high or higher, I highly recommend it!! I’ve also found that sand sticks really well to acrylic coloured epoxy which gives a super realistic rock look and gives them a very secure hold

[@StuStuStu2107]

Your final thought was really beautiful and touching, thank you.

[@devilswings5907]

As someone who didnt know where to start with a bioactive enclosure for my garg and crested i just want to say think you for guiding me on set ups and being and overall inspiration in helping me provide the best homes for my 2 geckos

[@tockface3785]

it really makes me so happy to swee that some terrariums even fail and have to be perfected from time to time even for professionals. Ive had some bioactive terrariums fail and ive been bumbed and feeling rly bad about it but this really made me think that its okey to fail. and they dont work perfect ALL the time. So thank you for this

[@agr0nianTV]

I had no clue that crested geckos can't regrow their tails. You've built so many cool homes for these 3 😁

[@mbbrooks123]

Im leaving a comment on this video, but I've just watched a variety of videos that you have made over the past year. Thank you for your content and for showing your work in detail, some of which I found relaxing like the terrariam build video, I watched and listened while cleaning one of my aquariums just today. You have a very good skill set, and those are very much needed. Thank you.

[@Frazzlenodazzle]

Crested geckos are so cute. Daughter had one for a while and he was fun to watch. As usual you did awesome with their setups.

[@MichelleMonstera]

You are a great story teller! I also admire your detailed documentation of the entire process. This was an amazing and well produced video (as usual). Felt like I was watching a movie.

[@ohmenecio]

Absolutely lovely! It's wonderful to see someone caring for their critters with so much passion and commitment. One question though. Can anyone explain to me why Henry's tail hasn't grown back yet? I thought geckos could do that in about a month.

[@Sno_mando]

Crested geckos cannot regrow their tails, some other geckos can but for crested once it’s gone it’s gone. They are referred to “frog butts” after they lose their tails haha

[@judymckerrow6720]

Thank you Tanner. I love the way you love your animals. 🌺💚🙃

[@angelx9724]

Henry has such beautiful eyes 😌

[@GooTheUnrated]

I love how honest you are in this video, very inspiring and educational as well. Really nice to see your journey in this way. It makes me even more excited about this hobby. Thanks for inspiring me!

[@jiminiechubbycheeksj6296]

I'll show this to my mum since she's absolutely terrified of geckos, I think seeing them in this cute af perspective could help her

[@LovecraftNerd]

It is so refreshing seeing how you gave you geckos a bigger enclosure and addmit that the other where not big enough. I'm building an new enclosure for my day gecko and wanted to get some inspiration and get some new tips. While doing so I could find mostly only Videos where the dude/ girl just took a 20 gal exo terra (some only 10 gal). Even some big youtubers promoted these for day or crested geckos. This was so hearth breaking. Geckos need a big enclosure like at least 30-35 gal for small ones and 40 gal when they grow up. (45-50 gal should be the standard for most geckos).

[@JesseJames-rq4ee]

Beautiful story. You ever think about combining the two crested geckos in the one tank ?

[@Sno_mando]

Crested geckos cannot ever cohabitate unfortunately, they are solitary creatures that only ever come together to mate

[@keironfrench5137]

When everything is back to normal could u take a time to do a tour of everything in your collection awesome...content man keep it up 👏

[@MsLeenite]

Thank you for putting together this geckumentary. ;-) It was most interesting, and the critters are nice to look at. I hope they continue to thrive.

[@StarHope86]

Those builds are works of art 🖼

[@CattlemanGaming16]

Hey Tanner, you should make a video about how to make the enclosures like you do, with like a list of stuff you'd need, when to do certain steps, etc.

[@alexandregb566]

I like your work. Since I was a child, I have liked to see and interact with animals.

[@jeremys553]

Setting up my Leachie's new home in a couple months, so this was great to get some tips. Always great content, thank you.

[@bryandaves1005]

Thanks for the excellent video Tanner. I’m glad that you aren’t holding yourself to an arbitrary timeline for releasing videos.

[@moldy13]

great to see the journey. especially for those of us thinking of getting into keeping geckos. one thing that is curious to me, can they not be kept in communities? one enclosure for all three?

[@sarveshdaphale]

love your work keep uploading .....

[@1v3x9]

Love them!!

[@ReptileSeb]

You are a truly inspirational keeper! I absolutely love that u try to provide as naturalistic habitats as possible. Instant sub

[@emptycinema]

Beautiful and informative video! I love how you've helped Cynthia even though she wasn't yours first

[@engodini]

a masterpiece of story telling and dedication for the hobby once again, thank you Tanner! :)

[@AGPullen]

I started my reptile journey with a small Panther Gecko I named Pele. It was a good start but not what I was looking for in a pet reptile. I ended up trading her for a Crested Gecko with a family that had a small breeding group of a few different geckos. I named him Keihi and kept him for about 4 years. He was such an awesome little gecko and I miss him so much. He really sparked the love I have for Crested Geckos today! I sold him to a friend when I went off to college because I was worried I wouldn't have the time to care for him while I dealt with school/work. I'm in a somewhat more stable position in life so I may see about getting another Crested Gecko, or even a breeding pair, but I want to make sure I do it all right and have a bioactive setup for one. The only thing holding me back at the moment is money. Your videos are a huge inspiration for a great setup and I can't wait to use them and knowledge to get the right vivarium set up for my next little gecko!

[@PheonixLove]

is there a saltwater aquarium update? could you maybe do a tour video showing all your setups and how they're doing?

[@brennasharp3461]

I love these videos you’ve been doing lately showing the progression of some of your animals!

[@Haley_Lex]

Finding out you are in Pittsburgh is awesome!!! Please consider opening up a store here for your beautiful designs! I would buy a piece instantaneously!

[@stampinturtles]

What a loving tribute! You take such good care of your animals! ❤️❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@McNaBir]

When I first watched your video of the 3 matching gecko enclosures, I had to get my own cresties. Theyre just so neat and so full of personality. I got three of them, and surprise, one had two eggs so now I have 5! I love cresties, and I made them bioacrive setups using years of tips from your videos

[@randomperson1934]

thank you for adding good subtitles to this video, they helped me be able to watch it :)

[@pipersmith1775]

I love being able to play with my geckos but also love my view only gecks. My Golden Gecko, Treasure, had so much personality and was so fun to watch even if he didn’t wanna be handled literally ever.

[@wafflesaucey]

Your video titles always sound so clickbait-y, but every time you deliver what you promise. Well done!

[@cara9648]

I would have had to take Cynthia in too. I'm glad she found you!

[@jonathanTwolfz]

Here is a challenge take it from me! Get yourself a Tokay gecko! If you can bond to that gecko you are the chosen one Serpa

[@timolensink5056]

So nice can you make more geko video’s they are so nice

[@diegopc1357]

This video was amazing :)) . Just truly moving. Beautiful relationships you have with the animals you share a home with. Keep it up sir!

[@karmakimeleon8832]

This is actually really validating because I have a few reptiles that require help eating.

[@Guppy_Girl]

So amazing to see them grow with you and how you improved your techniques over time. Love it!

[@MrSlushierGravy]

Been a sub since 2014… you never fail to impress me. Your work always improves. ❤

[@BinroWasRight]

Between you and Clint's Reptiles, yeah, a crested gecko is 100% in my future. I hope mine is as friendly as Henry and will do my very best to build that kind of relationship😁.

[@ConsumingFire12]

That was beautiful 🤩!!! Just like geckos weren’t on your radar then I believe that crayfish aren’t on your radar now if you could please give them a try and be careful they are escape artists if they aren’t happy with there enclosure.

[@lyrebird9749]

Apparently they can live for 15 years or more. I hope they have a long life, they seem pretty happy. Are you planning to let them mate ?

[@denizium.]

your voice is so calming :) your vids are so amazing! thank you for making them!

[@arwen2022]

I love these update videos! I feel like we learn so much from them.

[@mypetsandme9473]

Amazing set ups . You have put a lot of thought & work into your set ups . Well done 👍🏻

[@Inverts4Introverts]

Tanner, i rhink i can speak for all of us when saying, we really wanna see taller enclosure builds for these 3 angles. More room, more ideas. More everything!

[@leafystreet]

The builds that got me into your channel. I’m hyped to watch this. Lol glad to see horny Henry made a cameo

[@wendyanndarling]

Oh I caaaaant, those little gecko feet are just adorable 😍

[@noahvalencia8611]

Is no one gonna talk about how adorable Henry is?

[@thefightingfedora2976]

If you rough up the back side of the magnets the glue will hold better

[@Stephapokus]

Omg I got Pizza as an egg 12 years ago. I have to feed her by hand too LMAO. Cresties are wild.

[@Deshon_Holmes]

The thing that appreciate the most about you is that your consistently buying new pets. Instead you take the time to improve the quality of life of the pets that you already have. I see so many KZbinrs here buying pets and keeping them in poor setups. Thank you for showing us how to give our pets the best life possible

[@monyavuletic8221]

Ohhhh he is so precious ❤

[@codnutt224]

That was honestly one of your best videos man

[@joelharb9088]

videography and editing gets better every video. keep it up man !!!!

[@Its-me-Pix]

You are amazing mate. I love your content. :)

[@julianfelix9372]

You're from PA?! Crickets in the basement for the crested geckos, perogis upstairs in the kitchen for the people!

[@kreesto_]

Geckos are some of the coolest lizards and animals in general. I would love to get one one day

[@calleythompson2781]

As a fellow gecko enthusiast I recommend checking out Clint's Reptiles, the KZbin Channel, if you haven't already. It really helped me in picking out my first gecko. I now have a bunch of different species (5 from new caledonia including Cresteds, Chahouas, and a Gargoyle which all make great and easy pets) arboreal and terrestrial (leopard gecko and fat tail gecko). If you live in the United States, and that one day is approaching, I would check out craigslist. This time of year there are a lot of people trying to rehome animals, often leopard geckos and cresteds, because someone is leaving for school. You can find great deals where they basically give you an entire setup plus a young animal for a small fee.

[@kreesto_]

@@calleythompson2781 Damn you went from 0 to a bunch lol. Thanks for the info though

[@ggoannas]

So beautiful. So wise. So true.