In The Gecko

Welcome...

My name is Ben Joly I have been keeping reptiles, amphibians, and tropical fish for about 12 years. In the last six years I’ve expanded this hobby and became quite serious about it. I’ve dedicated an entire work shop for most of my reptiles. I also do keep some of them in the house. Over the years I’ve always been approached by family and friends to take in unwanted animals. Last fall I was hiking through a local forest area and found a three legged red ear slider turtle. The health of this turtle was real bad, malnourished and of course having difficulty getting around on dry land with only three legs. It was obvious that someone did not want this turtle anymore and just let it go in the wild. The missing leg appeared to have been bitten off by some kind of animal. I took this turtle home and treated the wound the best I could and provided this turtle with a proper enclosure. But the damage was done and within a week this poor little turtle passed on. It was shortly after this I decided to make a web site and start advertising for reptile rescue. It has been almost a year now (2006) and I have been able to help over a dozen turtles, several leopard geckos, some green iguanas, and other lizards.  I appreciate any donations of feeders and reptile equipment. For a more complete list please see the wish list at the bottom of this page.

This website is dedicated to my wife, Michele, who is a huge Elvis Presley fan, hence the name "In The Gecko". An idea my wife came up with from the title of a song done by Elvis, "In The Ghetto".

Through this web-site I hope to provide helpful information on how to keep and maintian reptiles/amphibians. And provide a section for reptile rescue and adoption. Please check out the site and keep visiting for updates on available animals.

2008 In The Gecko hopes to get non-profit organization status. The reptile room will undergo a complete reonovation. The reptile house will become strictly a turtle house; mainly for quaratine and winter housing of turtles. The pond will be re-constructed and will be much larger.  ITG also hopes to put together an education program about turtles and tortoises. In order to put this program together ITG will require to obtain several species of turtles & tortoises. If you or know someone that can no longer care for their turtle or tortoise please get intouch with ITG for arrangements. Update Sept. 08 - The new reptile house is complete, most of the tanks and enclosures are now set up to house mainly turtles & tortoises. The big pond is still under construction and should be fully operational by next spring. All the aquatic turtles are now inside for the winter. The website is also going to be changing with more information on turtle and tortoise care.