Ii have had my baby leachie for almost 2 months now. Last week I got her a new cage because she was too big for her other one. Her other cage was the biggest kritter keeper available, and her new cage is just a step up with about half more size than the previous. Anyways, since I put her in her new enclosure she hasn't eaten at all and that was a week ago. I am starting to get worried because I paid a lot for her and don't want anything to happen to her. I have dipped her nose I the food twice to encourage feeding, but I have been unsuccessful. Does anyone have any advice to help get my baby eating? Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Leachie not eating.
- Thread starter Chris147
- Start date
KTyne
New member
Sounds like she just needs to settle in to her new home. It'd be just like when you first got her since she's in a new cage.
Leave her be for a couple of weeks to settle in like you would if you had just gotten her.
I believe Geckos can go quite a while without eating before it becomes a health hazard and this just sounds to me like she needs to settle in again.
Leave her be for a couple of weeks to settle in like you would if you had just gotten her.
I believe Geckos can go quite a while without eating before it becomes a health hazard and this just sounds to me like she needs to settle in again.
Aimless
Super Moderator
I upgraded my juvie leachie before she was ready. her appetite dropped off to nothing and she lost a few grams, so I moved her back.
she's in a cage that, IMO, is way too small - but she's healthy, growing, and eating.
leachies spend much of their time tucked into hollows in trees in the wild and they need to feel safe. especially for juvies, too much space is worse than too little. can you post a picture? maybe she needs more cover. if she feels the space is too big and you don't want to down-grade her, maybe she just needs LOTS more cover.
(and I keep my 32" BP in a 40-gallon breeder! I normally would never advocate a cage that was "too small" and my usual policy is bigger = better, but leachies are different.)
she's in a cage that, IMO, is way too small - but she's healthy, growing, and eating.
leachies spend much of their time tucked into hollows in trees in the wild and they need to feel safe. especially for juvies, too much space is worse than too little. can you post a picture? maybe she needs more cover. if she feels the space is too big and you don't want to down-grade her, maybe she just needs LOTS more cover.
(and I keep my 32" BP in a 40-gallon breeder! I normally would never advocate a cage that was "too small" and my usual policy is bigger = better, but leachies are different.)
Yes I too would not get to worked up, give it some time it will come around, one small piece of advice, place the food dish near her favorite hide spot in her new enclosure, that way she does not have to go far to lick her favorite meal. When they are little they are very afraid of wondering around in the unknown, think the wild, once they have some size they are bolder. And they ALL grow at different rates.
rhakitigger
New member
Excellent advice thank you. I'm also having trouble with my month old leachie not eating. Just got it this last weekend and she has not eaten her CRD or crickets. How long do they usually take to adapt to a new environment? I have it in a small setup with cork bark and lots of foliage from artificial plants. It seems healthy, it is active during the night, is firing up beautifully and I follow all recommendations on temperature and humidity. Thank you for your help!
Many leachies will not eat crickets, some do, some don't. None of mine do. As far as how long before they start eating, as soon as they feel comfortable, i say a week at times is normal. Good luck with your new bundle of joy, keep us posted on the progress.
rhakitigger
New member
Thank you Ivan, I will wait then. If she doesn't eat next week I'll try putting her in an even smaller enclosure. I just saw her hatchmate yesterday and it is eating and pooping fine... I will post updates, I have noticed that on these type of forums not many people post updates, I guess that means the advice worked...
rhakitigger
New member
I have followed Aimless' advice and provided LOTS more cover. Here are the pictures of the before and after. You can see her chilling on her favorite spot, the highest point of the cork bark. I really hope she starts eating now. Thanks again for your help!
rhakitigger
New member
Hi,
So my little one IS eating, and consequently, pooping! There are only 2 crickets left of the 5 I put in last night. I'm finding her little MRP bottle cap half empty the next day I feed her, and today she gifted me a tiny turd when I handled her :lol: then she jumped back into her enclosure in which she now appears to feel very secure.
Thank you so much for your help! Sorry for being a little paranoid but I was used to raising cresties which would start gobbling crickets the day after they hatched.
So my little one IS eating, and consequently, pooping! There are only 2 crickets left of the 5 I put in last night. I'm finding her little MRP bottle cap half empty the next day I feed her, and today she gifted me a tiny turd when I handled her :lol: then she jumped back into her enclosure in which she now appears to feel very secure.
Thank you so much for your help! Sorry for being a little paranoid but I was used to raising cresties which would start gobbling crickets the day after they hatched.
rhakitigger
New member
Update:
Here are two pictures of my healthy baby, one she was caught red handed going for her Repashy diet.
Here are two pictures of my healthy baby, one she was caught red handed going for her Repashy diet.
rhakitigger
New member
Last update:
He is doing excellent, he is now 40 grams (from 8g to 35g in just 2 months). I have moved him into his Juvie viv (12x12x18 exo).
He is doing excellent, he is now 40 grams (from 8g to 35g in just 2 months). I have moved him into his Juvie viv (12x12x18 exo).