African fat-tail gecko: my new Gecko wont eat?

chrisf2011 · #1 08-23-2011, 10:39 AM

i bought a fat tail at a reptile expo the other day, i believe conditions in his tank are correct, but i cant get him to eat? iv tried feeding him meal worms. can anyone help me please?

M&S-328 · #2 08-23-2011, 10:47 AM

We will need a lot more information about what is going on in order to help you.

Please tell us the temps you use, the substrate, the accessories in the tank, etc.

Also, it is normal for for geckos to not eat immediately when arriving into a new home. They need time to settle in. So you should not disturb them often for at least 2 weeks.

chrisf2011 · #3 08-23-2011, 11:22 AM

thanks for the reply!

my tank is at 82 degrees, i have a hiding place for him, a small water and food dish, and a container of moist spagnum moss for moisture.. and im using paper towel to line the tank ( breeder told me to do that) and im using a heat lamp. (picture below)

M&S-328 · #4 08-23-2011, 11:36 AM

Im sure there are stickys and pages on this site that can tell you in detail all of the husbandry requirements for your new AFT, just in case you missed something.

As for the set up, I think it would be helpful to add a few more hides. This will give your AFT more to explore and perhaps will get him hungry after.
Also, perhaps put a ledge/covering over the moss, this will give the AFT a more secure feeling when he wants to use it.

Below is a link to a photo I found of an AFT enclosure. You will see there are several hides and places to climb over and explore. I hope it helps give you new ideas.

Good luck

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._4406012_n.jpg

chrisf2011 · #5 08-23-2011, 11:42 AM

thanks again!

ajb28221 · #6 08-23-2011, 11:20 PM

Very normal for new arrivals to not eat for a bit due to stress from moving, patience he'll eat when he is hungry and ready. One of my male Leos I got from a show didn't eat for like 2 weeks then he got settled in and started destroying everything I put in the cage. Good Luck and welcome you'll find lots of help here.

chrisf2011 · #7 08-24-2011, 12:07 PM

Thanks for the advice! he finally ate last night

ajb28221 · #8 08-24-2011, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisf2011

Thanks for the advice! he finally ate last night

What are you feeding him?

chrisf2011 · #9 08-27-2011, 01:27 PM

well i was trying to feed him meal worms, since the people at the place i bought him told me Geckos eat meal worms -_- but as soon as i tried crickets he ate em up!

ajb28221 · #10 08-27-2011, 04:03 PM

You want to feed him a variety of things to give him different nutrients, and also want to feed your bugs a variety of vegetables and fruits so they are gut loaded with different nutrients also, he may not be used to eating meal worms and that probably why he wasn't eating them, good to hear he's eating!