Leopard gecko stopped eating

[Loki’s grandma]

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My daughter’s 2 yr old leopard gecko hasn’t eaten in about 10 days. She weighs about 80 grams and is moving around but doesn’t lay in her heated section too often. What could be wrong?

[IHaveNoIdea]

It's typical for them to eat less or even stop eating completely these days. Sometimes they get off food for months. Keep offering every second or third day and unless she is losing wait significantly don't worry.

[Loki’s grandma]

So, what if the gecko isn’t interested in laying in the heated area?

[Elizabeth Freer]

So, what if the gecko isn’t interested in laying in the heated area?

Please share some specs:

1. ground temperature of the heated side as measured by the probe of a digital thermometer (on the ground) underneath the warm dry hide
2. size of enclosure
3. type of heating
4. dimensions of heat mat if that's the heat source

[Loki’s grandma]

So, what if the gecko isn’t interested in laying in the heated area?

Just bought a heat Rick, 85.6 degrees, 15 gallon tank, heating pad about 75 degrees

[Elizabeth Freer]

Just bought a heat Rick, 85.6 degrees, 15 gallon tank, heating pad about 75 degrees

Please remove the heat rock! Heat rocks can be very dangerous! Let us share good ways to warm up Loki's body.

Is Loki's 15 gallon 24 x 12.5 x 12.5 inches tall? If so an 11 x 11 inch Ultratherm heat mat could be ideal. A heat pad should cover at least 1/3 the base; 1/2 the base is better.

What's the range of room temps where Loki's enclosure sits?

[Loki’s grandma]

Please remove the heat rock! Heat rocks can be very dangerous! Let us share good ways to warm up Loki's body.

Is Loki's 15 gallon 24 x 12.5 x 12.5 inches tall? If so an 11 x 11 inch Ultratherm heat mat could be ideal. A heat pad should cover at least 1/3 the base; 1/2 the base is better.

What's the range of room temps where Loki's enclosure sits?

I will!
The home temp is usually between 65 and 70

[Elizabeth Freer]

I will!
The home temp is usually between 65 and 70

Thanks so much.

It "sounds like" your current heat mat is too small. Without proper heat a leopard gecko will not be able to digest his prey.

You'll also need a thermostat to control the 11 x 11 heat mat.

Temperatures - A temperature gradient from warm to cool maintains your leo's health. Here's a temperature guide for all leopard geckos as measured with the probe of a digital thermometer or a temp gun (and controlled by a thermostat set at 91*F/32.8*C).

Place the thermostat's probe and a digital thermometer's probe together right on top of the substrate underneath the warm dry hide. If you use a UTH + a CHE you'll need 2 separate thermostats, because ground and air temperatures are substantially different.

• Warm dry hide ground temperature: 88-92 F (31.1-33.3 C) inside a leo's warm dry hide.
• Warm humid/moist hide: Also place the humid hide 100% on top of the heat mat. Keep temperatures similar to the warm dry hide.
• Cool dry hide ground temperature: 70ish-75 F (21.1-23.9 C) Usually the cool end ground temperature matches the room temperature where the enclosure sits.
• no greater than 82ish F (27.8ish C) air temperature - 4 inches (10 cm) above ground on the warm end
• no greater than 75 F (23.9 C) air temperature - 4 inches (10 cm) above ground on the cool end

Leave the heat mat/UTH on 24/7. If you wish, during the night turn off overhead lighting/heating (~12 hours on and ~12 hours off) unless ambient room temperatures drop lower than 67ish*F (19.4*C).

[Loki’s grandma]

Thanks so much.

It "sounds like" your current heat mat is too small. Without proper heat a leopard gecko will not be able to digest his prey.

You'll also need a thermostat to control the 11 x 11 heat mat.

So, I will need a bigger heating mat as well as an UVB light?

[Elizabeth Freer]

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Thanks so much.

It "sounds like" your current heat mat is too small. Without proper heat a leopard gecko will not be able to digest his prey.

You'll also need a thermostat to control the 11 x 11 heat mat.

So, I will need a bigger heating mat as well as an UVB light?

Yes, you will need 2 things right away. Since cooler weather has set in and your leo is refusing to eat, these items are TOP priority!

Please mention the dimensions of Loki's current heat mat.

1. If your 15 gallon = 24 inches long, you might be better off with an 11 x 17 inch Ultratherm heat mat? That leaves 7 inches for a cool end. Otherwise, I suggest an 11 x 11 inch Ultratherm. (Reptile Basics & Reptiles for You offer the best prices)
2. A thermostat (iPower?) as a safety precaution to control the heat mat from getting too warm [The chart above shows just what temps leopard geckos require.]

If you wish to add UVB, please join Facebook's Reptile Lighting group for expert advice. Admin Frances Baines is tops! Unfortunately she can't clone herself.

Share details 1 through 4 with Reptile Lighting on your first post. Let them take it from there.

1. Type of reptile = leopard gecko
2. Size & dimensions of enclosure
3. Brand & type of mesh top grid
4. Distance of mesh from gecko
5. (Strength of UVB tube/strip light and/or compact or mini-compact fluorescent bulb)
6. (Reflector use or not)