I see on this forum as well as other things I've read that this issue of leopard geckos "not eating" for extended periods of time seems to be quite common. Having just experienced this phenomenon for the first time this past week, I'm beginning to feel that this has something more to do with the breed other than with basic husbandry issues especially if the leo is behaving normally and not losing weight. My situation just ended today when my 1 year old leopard gecko FINALLY ate after slightly over a week of fasting (and extreme stress on my part).
My husbandry has been dead solid perfect for almost a year now. Warm side is thermostat regulated with UTH at 92 degrees, overhead "warm zone" is regulated with lights on timers and dimmers to hover around 80-82 day ~75-78 night, cool side stays around 75 degrees F. I have a great large humid hide with sphagnum moss that he uses quite frequently and my leo completely sheds in like one hour completely...never any residual.
Now, my leo is probably pretty "well fed" weighing in at ~80g if my little vegetable scale is accurate but he just stopped eating early last week. I have found that my little friend is less interested in food post shed, sometimes going 2-3 days without food and I've learned not to panic. This however was 9 solid days without food and it was sometime since last shed. I of course closely observed behavior and weight but other than being totally disinterested in food, all was well. Then this morning I dropped a giant mealworm in and he bolted from the warm hide to gobble it down and greedily ate 4 more, then done. I was relieved because a vet visit would have been forthcoming had this continued much longer.
As satisfied as I am with the fact that he ate, my science backround (not herpetology btw) is trying to wrap my head around as to why. This seems very common. Is this something physiological that is inherent to the breed? Seems to me that maybe we should not panic so much when our leos go on these hunger strikes especially if all other issues seem fine. I'm asking because I don't know. Any feedback from herpetology experts out there would be a great help!
My husbandry has been dead solid perfect for almost a year now. Warm side is thermostat regulated with UTH at 92 degrees, overhead "warm zone" is regulated with lights on timers and dimmers to hover around 80-82 day ~75-78 night, cool side stays around 75 degrees F. I have a great large humid hide with sphagnum moss that he uses quite frequently and my leo completely sheds in like one hour completely...never any residual.
Now, my leo is probably pretty "well fed" weighing in at ~80g if my little vegetable scale is accurate but he just stopped eating early last week. I have found that my little friend is less interested in food post shed, sometimes going 2-3 days without food and I've learned not to panic. This however was 9 solid days without food and it was sometime since last shed. I of course closely observed behavior and weight but other than being totally disinterested in food, all was well. Then this morning I dropped a giant mealworm in and he bolted from the warm hide to gobble it down and greedily ate 4 more, then done. I was relieved because a vet visit would have been forthcoming had this continued much longer.
As satisfied as I am with the fact that he ate, my science backround (not herpetology btw) is trying to wrap my head around as to why. This seems very common. Is this something physiological that is inherent to the breed? Seems to me that maybe we should not panic so much when our leos go on these hunger strikes especially if all other issues seem fine. I'm asking because I don't know. Any feedback from herpetology experts out there would be a great help!
