Any idea what this means? Grey colored poop.
- Thread starter matt0101
- Start date
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
I don't know, Matt. Perhaps someone else does.
Was this just a one time occurrence? I wonder whether it is related to those sluggish crickets that were eating Superload?
Was this just a one time occurrence? I wonder whether it is related to those sluggish crickets that were eating Superload?
Brigettemarie
New member
Did he/she shed recently? The odd coloured poop is probably a shedding poop. When a leo sheds its skin it eats it and the next couple of poops are often a clay / grey colour.
cricket4u
New member
This is not related to shed. I highly recommend to find an experienced reptile vet (unless you already have), schedule an appointment for guidance, what to feed, frequency of feeding, frequency of dusting with supplements that suits your individual leo. A year later you can have a radiograph taken at the least to make sure you're doing a good job.
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
Hey Matt/Conched ~
Just recently Matt's leo Tommy had been eating some sluggish crickets which had OD'd on Repashy's Superload Gutload. Do you think that could have been responsible for a feces as pictured?
cricket4u
New member
When we switch the insects to a higher nutrient rich diet, we have to make adjustments in regards to supplementing as well, if not we end up with excess. This is one of the reasons supplementing is not one size fits all. We must consider the variables in the diet and try to provide balance.
I do want to add that there are a few other causes of feces this color, however in this particular situation the most reasonable would be the increase in nutrients. Of course, if this continues and it happens to be a coincidence(after making adjustments), a vet exam would be ideal.
I do want to add that there are a few other causes of feces this color, however in this particular situation the most reasonable would be the increase in nutrients. Of course, if this continues and it happens to be a coincidence(after making adjustments), a vet exam would be ideal.
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i don't leave any calcium or supplements in the enclosure, but i do use zoo-med reptivite with d3 every feeding. i will cut down to supplementing once a week and see what happens.
one question, if you are only supposed to gutload feeders for 48 hours, what do you feed them after that? wouldn't the nutrition from the gutload go away?
i removed the gutload and put in some carrots several days ago. i fed Tommy crickets yesterday and did not dust them. he still hasn't pooped from that feeding, but he dropped a normal looking urate. i'll let you know if his next poop is normal.
Tommy has been acting normal. He is very alert, with a big appetite, and thermoregulating as usual.
one question, if you are only supposed to gutload feeders for 48 hours, what do you feed them after that? wouldn't the nutrition from the gutload go away?
i removed the gutload and put in some carrots several days ago. i fed Tommy crickets yesterday and did not dust them. he still hasn't pooped from that feeding, but he dropped a normal looking urate. i'll let you know if his next poop is normal.
Tommy has been acting normal. He is very alert, with a big appetite, and thermoregulating as usual.
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honestly the weird poops only happen when i'm feeding him crickets. when i feed him mealworms he has very consistent, normal looking feces. when i feed him crickets it's always weird or discoloured in some way.
crickets so far have been nothing more a disgusting hassle. they poop everywhere and then eat their own poop. 90% of the time i find dead ones within 2 days of buying them, and the living crickets cannibalize the dead ones. their enclosures get totally disgusting, and are impossible to clean without throwing out the live crickets, so i only clean it when Tommy has eaten them all, and by that point there is cricket crap COVERING the bottom of the cricket keeper.
Tommy much prefers eating mealworms, and I know this seems contradictory, but they seem much cleaner and healthier too. Crickets it seems are almost always sick or dying, no matter which source I purchase them from or what I'm feeding them.
crickets so far have been nothing more a disgusting hassle. they poop everywhere and then eat their own poop. 90% of the time i find dead ones within 2 days of buying them, and the living crickets cannibalize the dead ones. their enclosures get totally disgusting, and are impossible to clean without throwing out the live crickets, so i only clean it when Tommy has eaten them all, and by that point there is cricket crap COVERING the bottom of the cricket keeper.
Tommy much prefers eating mealworms, and I know this seems contradictory, but they seem much cleaner and healthier too. Crickets it seems are almost always sick or dying, no matter which source I purchase them from or what I'm feeding them.
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cricket4u
New member
That's unsual unless it's just a very slight color change due to variety. I've never seen a change in color this drastic in my leos bowel movements, even when I've changed the items I feed the crickets. Their feces remain quite consistent and predictable. I have been feeding crickets for many years without any problems. I do not feed mealworms, too fatty and hold supplements poorly leading to a high phosphorus diet.
It is not simple to provide a well balanced diet, unless you have a fair amount of knowledge in nutrition. This is why it is always best to have an experienced reptile vet for guidance. Every part of the diet must be taken in consideration as well as your leos body condition.
Sorry, I almost forgot your question. The purpose of an actual gut load is to increase nutritional value providing a healthier meal for your leo. Unfortunately, this is normally not the ideal diet for the crickets themselves.
It is not simple to provide a well balanced diet, unless you have a fair amount of knowledge in nutrition. This is why it is always best to have an experienced reptile vet for guidance. Every part of the diet must be taken in consideration as well as your leos body condition.
Sorry, I almost forgot your question. The purpose of an actual gut load is to increase nutritional value providing a healthier meal for your leo. Unfortunately, this is normally not the ideal diet for the crickets themselves.
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I know that already and it doesn't really answer the question I asked.
cricket4u
New member
I cannot recommend the regular feed I use due to the reason it's not sold in stores. Anything nutritious is fine. You can use the All purpose poultry feed in the caresheet if it works for you.
cricket4u
New member
Hello,
It's been a while, how is Tommy doing? I also wanted to ask you a question. I remember you mentioned at one point that you were feeding Rep-cal cricket food, did you continue it? If not, why? I am searching for the ingredients and nutritional breakdown which I have not yet found. I guess I can call, however, that's a drag right now.
It's been a while, how is Tommy doing? I also wanted to ask you a question. I remember you mentioned at one point that you were feeding Rep-cal cricket food, did you continue it? If not, why? I am searching for the ingredients and nutritional breakdown which I have not yet found. I guess I can call, however, that's a drag right now.
cricket4u
New member
Very happy to hear Mr. Handsome is doing fine.
PHP:
I stopped using the rep-cal food because it made the crickets sluggish.Just one more crossed off the list than. Just to make sure, this one correct?
Cricket Food
i don't use it anymore, haven't for a while. i didn't stop for any particular reason though, it worked well while i used it. i mostly feed my crickets apple slices and baby carrots now for the convenience of moisture+food all in one.