Obese Leopard gecko

[avoidtheboyd]

Ok so I just got back from my first year in college and since I could not bring my gecko into the dorm my mother had to care for it. My leopard gecko was around 75 grams at around christmas time and was healthy and at a good weight. I wasn't able to visit but about one time after that and my mom seemed to have severely overfed her even though I told her how to feed her. I am now at home and taking care of her but I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions for me. I am feeding her around 2-3 appropriate sized dubia roaches every other day. I am also trying to get her out of her cage and make her walk around my hands to get some exercise. I know geckos store fat for time of scarce food so a "diet" is hard, but it needs to be done.

 

[Cor8et]

Hello Ethan

I`d love to see her, what weight is she now?

I`v a giant too, don`t see them often where i stay

Cut down on the roaches and change to crickets for now. one every other day ( small ) Don`t hand feed, let her work for the meal. May take a few Month, don`t worry she`l be fine with all that reserve. I bet she`s huge.

 

[avoidtheboyd]

Roaches, to me, seem to be more nutritious and easier to care for then crickets. Shes just about 9 inches long.

 

[Cor8et]

Roaches, to me, seem to be more nutritious and easier to care for then crickets. Shes just about 9 inches long.
View attachment 22862

I`v read that might not be the case, don`t get me wrong i`v a colony to, there something too much in dubia roaches and crickets are a more even keel....... i`am sure someone on here will guide you to what i read, i had a look for you but can`t find it, sorry.

She looks beautifully and bright

what age is she and what weight ?

You can see Victor here
http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...s/69366-going-dedicate-thread-my-gecko-s.html

 

[avoidtheboyd]

She's about 3 years old an about 105 grams. She's been at 80 to 85 grams before and that seemed to be a good weight for her.

 

[Cor8et]

Thanks for that Ethan.

Reason i`am asking, i think Victor is a Super Giant and Jack a Giant. I asked about this a couple of years ago and never really got an answer from the guy who i got it from but since i`v seen your thread it got me thinking again.

Genetically predisposed to become large in size. These giant-sized leopard geckos have two classes called Giant and Super Giant. Giant: Males reach 80-110 grams and females 60-90 grams by one year of age as typically seen in the heterozygous state. The largest Giants are called Super Giants: Males are over 110 grams and females over 90 grams by one year of age as typically seen in the homozygous condition. They can be any pattern or color. Unless both parents are known Super Giants there are no visible ways to tell a Giant from a Super Giant until 10-12 months of age.

This would make Jack a Giant.

Super Giant X Super Giant = 100% Super Giant
Super Giant X Giant = 50% Super Giant / 50% Giant
Super Giant X Normal = 100% Giant
Giant X Giant = 25% Super Giant, 50% Giant, 25% Normal
Giant X Normal = 50% Giant / 50% Normal

 

[avoidtheboyd]

Yeah the reason I'm almost positive shes a giant (besides being sold that way) was that she was extremely gangly and long legged when she was younger and substantially larger/taller than normals at the same age.

 

[cricket4u]

I can't tell you if he's a giant or not, however she is overweight. I told you in the past to offer variety, but you chose not to so there's not much more I can say.

 

[Cor8et]

I can't tell you if he's a giant or not, however he is overweight. I told you in the past to offer variety, but you chose not to so there's not much more I can say.

I don`t recall asking, i`v got the he and Ethan has a she, i`am asking about giants and Ethan about obesity.

Which one of us are you referring to bud ?


I do agree with variety in their diet

 

[cricket4u]

Sorry, I meant to quote to Ethan regarding the leo in the picture.

 

[avoidtheboyd]

Cricket every time I see a time where someone hasn't followed your advice you have to make some snobby comment about it and it is completely unnecessary. You don't need to be an arse. If I didn't heed you the first time I don't need to hear you try to say you were right. For one it wasn't the fact that I only feed roaches that is the problem. The problem is me being away for 5 months and my mother severely overfeeding. If you don't have some useful advice I really don't care what you think or say.

 

[cricket4u]

Cricket every time I see a time where someone hasn't followed your advice you have to make some snobby comment about it and it is completely unnecessary. You don't need to be an arse. If I didn't heed you the first time I don't need to hear you try to say you were right. For one it wasn't the fact that I only feed roaches that is the problem. The problem is me being away for 5 months and my mother severely overfeeding. If you don't have some useful advice I really don't care what you think or say.

That was not a snobby remark at all. You have not heard a true snobby remark from me towards you yet, trust me. I was actually being sympathetic and thought I'd mention it to remind you in hopes to hear good news in a few months. I would have simply stated, I told you so if I was being smart. So stop jumping to conclusions simply based on text. I actually thought that you posted the thread so that others can confirm she was overweight.

There's no insect that provides a perfect diet, therefore the reason why variety is important. My initial thought was crickets will allow him to hunt allowing exercise. It's not about one vs. the other, simply variety.

This thread may interest you.
http://www.geckosunlimited.com/community/off-topic-lounge/68240-please-dont-one-these.html