[caleytkd]

Okay, so, I don't know what to do with this. I have a gargoyle gecko. And for whatever reason she won't eat unless I hand feed her. I have no idea why. There is seriously nothing wrong with her. She's a healthy size, alert, active, she loves coming out to play [and puts up a bit of a fight when I try to put her down lol]. She drinks and poops fine. But she really won't eat on her own. I put the food in the same place every night, showed it to her many times, and she won't touch it. And I know what everyone says, "they won't starve themselves," but trust me I have the ONE that will. I tried being stern and having her fend for herself [making sure she knew where it was, of course] for about a week and a half. And she didn't eat the whole time. She even lost a bit of weight. :/ As soon as I picked up her and the food, she dug in. I don't mind doing it, I love the little thing to death, but it would be convenient if I didn't have to feed her every night lol. Any thoughts on the subject?

Also, she is in an 18x18x24 exoterra rain forest setup with sphagnum moss. I keep the humidity around 60% and the temp is always between 70-80 F.

[Debbie]

Don't know how big she is but maybe you should try to house her a bit smaller, that sometimes helps.
Also, they can go a long time without food, so don't worry then she haven't eaten for 1,5 week. We have had geckos not eating for 6 months and they are doing great now. They will start to eat eventually.
Good luck!

[caleytkd]

6 months? That's crazy lol. She's 7 inches long right now, 1 yr old. I have actually tried moving her into a 20 gal. that I have. She becomes less active and still won't eat on her own. Just seemed happier with all that stuff to climb on. But it can't hurt to try again.

Thanks.

[Hannibal]

Gargs are very picky and stubborn sometimes; and some can be very very stubborn...I've got a few. From your girl's size (and photos in your other thread) she is a sub-adult and probably between 30-38 grams. Tough love is very hard for us humans, but that is what it'll take to ween her to eat without you hand feeding her. I'd put the food in her enclosure and change it out every 2-3 days....note, if you find poop then she is eating, but she's not pigging out enough that you can tell from looking at her cup. Try this for the next 2 weeks without hand feeding her and see how many poops you find, you might be surprised that she is eating....like a bird and not a teenage kid.

[caleytkd]

Haha, okay. Thanks Hannibal. ^_^