[Eclair]

I broke so many rules in the process of adopting the sweet little guy, that I'm naming it Taboo. I know we're only supposed to buy Geckos that appear healthy, but I couldn't resist the poor thing. He has a lump towards his right back leg, and the pet store claims he came in like that in the Fall, when a customer brought the little guy in. When he told me that they had the Gecko for nearly 5-6 months, I made up my mind about buying him. Other than the visual bump, he seems healthy. He's devoured every cricket and freshly molted mealworm that I've offered him.

I found some information online that Juveniles should be fed 9 crickets, 3-4 times a week. Is this correct?

I unfortunately do not have a picture of the lump, but I do plan on taking him to the Vet once he's settled in a bit more. What information would you guys need in order to give me some speculations as to what the lump is?

My last question is, he sleeps a lot, night or day. Is this normal for new Geckos, or even ones that are acclimated? Or could it be connected to the lump?

This is the only image of him that I have, for fear of stressing him too much.


(Also, I want to add that I did do a quick search before posting, and couldn't find the answers I'm looking for.)

[acpart]

I don't know what the lump is,maybe the vet will. If he's near adult size, feed him 4-6 crickets every other day. If he tends to eat all the crickets you put in, gradually increase till you find his limit. If he doesn't ever finish them, gradually decrease until you get it right. African fat tails are pretty reclusive. I have 5, in 2 cages and they spend nearly all the time huddled together in their hides. The females in one cage have a routine where they go into the planted part of the tank after "dinner" on feeding days.

Aliza

[Eclair]

He's 23 grams. Would you consider that near adult size?

Also, another question I couldn't find the answer to; when I pet him, he arches his back, like a cat. This means he's surprised, right? And that he doesn't like it?

Here's a picture of the lump.

[acpart]

At 23 grams, he may be ready to eat every other day. I think the arching is just an automatic response to the stimulation, not necessarily an indication that he likes it or doesn't like it. In the picture, it looks as if the lump is in his abdomen. If so, it may be a hernia. I have a leopard gecko with this and we've decided not to operate because she's doing OK in spite of it (I did retire her as a breeder, though). If it's in the bone, I don't know what it is.

Aliza

[Eclair]

She survived since Fall in the pet store's care for about 5 or 6 months, with the bump. So, I think it's safe to say she's doing fine, in spite of it. I'll find out for sure from the Vet, but chances are, I'll choose not to operate.

[Holly12]

She is so cute I use to have one a girl her name was Daisy but she pass away not long ago. She looks really good so far and her tail is nice and fat lol.

[cookie]

My male fat tail also arches his back when i run my finger on his back.. oddly enough he likes it. Its like i was scratching his back for him. he likes it when i scratch his neck too, its cute.