My leo is acting strangely...

cheekymonkey · #1 10-26-2011, 09:29 PM

Hi All
I'm hoping someone can put me at ease and say Gidget (my 8mth old Leo) is okay!
Just over a week ago I switched her over to sand(not calcium/coloured or play sand...the normal desert sand) from paper towel and added a UTH as the 'day' lamp I was using wasn't keeping the warm side of the tank in the mid 80's during the day.
So here is what I noticed today, I went to feed her and she wasn't coming out of her favourite hide. I lifted the hide and she wouldn't budge, then once I started to touch her she finally realized I had fed her and went after some of the crickets. Then after 3 crickets she heard a noise in the house and took off...I talked to her as I picked her up and she just seemed really scared and acting oddly.
What could be causing her to act like this (usually she climbed right onto me and liked being held), since putting the UTH on and moderating the daytime temp I no longer use a 'daytime' light - could she be getting confused with the daytime/nighttime cycle? Should I replace the 'heat' daytime bulb with just a non-emitting heat bulb (is there such a thing?).

Any advice or help I can get would be appreciated...

_Amazon_ · #2 10-26-2011, 09:40 PM

hello, I use heat pads for all four of my geckos, and my best friend has eight and they all have heat pads too. It creates the same amount of heat if you get the right size according to tank size. I would try that instead of any bulb. Place the pad right under the tank where the hide would sit inside the cage. Also, take out the sand, she could be eating it and that could be the reason why she is not feeling well. To me, it doesnt sound like shes sick if shes still eating and if she took off, shes still moving around. So if she eats the paper towel, dont put that back in either, you can try a different substrate. Even though sand says its safe, it usually is not. The grain can get stuck in the intestines or scrape harm the intestines while passing through. If you do not find a substrate that your gecko is confortable with, i think it is best to not use any at all. Hope this helps.

cheekymonkey · #3 10-26-2011, 09:46 PM

With the UTH...do you still use a light to simulate daytime? Do you keep the UTH on all the time, or just have it on for 12hrs and then off for 12hrs? I used to have the light on for 12hrs and then off for 12hrs at night...would i stick to the same thing with the UTH?

So glad you also think she's okay...I can now sleep better tonight knowing that someone else thinks she's healthy! This is my first gecko, and unfortunately I don't know anyone else that owns one...

_Amazon_ · #4 10-26-2011, 09:52 PM

i dont want to tell you the wrong thing with the lights, because Ive heard from many people and all the breeders that i have bought geckos from say that heating pads are better then the lights, but i have been told that its best to leave the light on for 8 hours and then off for 8 hours. try switching the substrate first and keep the lighting (but try the 8 hour time) and if that doesnt work and is not feeling well still, switch to the heating pad. Monitor the gecko to make sure she is still eating and drinking and just make sure her tank is always clean and give her clean water everyday to make her feel more comfortable. Since she is still eating and moving around though im pretty sure shes not sick, maybe uncomfortable because of the new substrate.

cheekymonkey · #5 10-26-2011, 09:55 PM

Thanks for the advice!

_Amazon_ · #6 10-26-2011, 10:01 PM

No problem, let me know how shes doing.

**Elizabeth Freer** · #7 10-26-2011, 11:11 PM

cheekymonkey ~

I don't really recommend a sand substrate till a leo is at least a year old. Despite what some folks say, there is just too much risk of impaction at least for young geckos.

You could use a shallow feeding dish for your leo's prey.

Leos are dependent upon belly heat to digest their prey. Are you monitoring floor temperatures right above the UTH as well as air temps with a digital thermometer or a temperature gun? Your UTH should be 1/3 the length of the gecko's tank. Leos thrive best when temps on the warm side range from 92-95 F down to the 70s on the cool side. I have my leo's 20 gallon long tank (30" x ~12" x ~12") on a timer: 12 hours on and 12 off. The night temperature of the room itself stays about 67 F and the day temperature of the room stays about 70 F.

For more leo info: http://www.geckosunlimited.com/commu...11-update.html

Angey · #8 10-29-2011, 01:51 PM

I leave my UTH on all the time and turn off the bulb at night.

It doesnt sound like your leo is sick, sounds like she just needs to get used to her new subtrate.