I know you've probably heard this question before but he won't eat

TifaBea

New member
I have had my gecko for about 6 days now and he doesn't seem at all stressed. He lets me hold him and even curls up in my collar to sleep. But he absolutely refuses to eat and spends all time in his cage sleeping. The temperature is usually around 84 degrees on the warm side and approximately 76 on the cool side. He has many hides and a moist Tupperware bowl. I'm a beginner and slightly paranoid because of all the horror stories I've found on the web. Especially for pet shops in my area (Many of which I avoided when choosing him)

I'm not sure how old he is but he's probably about 4 or less inches long. His color is good and bright.

I have two concerns. He hasn't ate yet. I was told it may take up to three days but it's been longer and I've gone as far as getting him a wax worm. He wouldn't take it even when he was being handled by me.

Also he has a partial shed going on since the day after I got him. I was told to spritz them with warm water but he books it under his rock and wont come out if I do that. I only did it once because I don't like the scream that he likes to do at crickets...I'm probably going to attempt putting him in a bowl for thirty minutes with warm water like I've read about but I'm terrified of rubbing his tail with paper towel because it might fall off if he freaks.

I may be over reacting but I really don't want to just give up on it until he starves.
 

Allee Toler

Member
Please read the FAQ's sticky at the top of the sub-forum.

Temps should be 90-95F on one side and room temp on the other. Lower the temp, the less appetite he'll have.

Even though he doesn't seem stressed, because he's in a new environment it's likely a cause for him to not eat.

Put some damp paper towel under his hide.

Most importantly, leave him alone by not handling him for a couple more weeks.
 
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