Gecko barely eating..

[Jess1723]

Hey guys, so my gecko Pauly has been really weird about eating lately. He is about 7 months old and he has always been a good eater. The last time I weighed him (in the fall) he was 93g. I was told he was possibly a giant? So, over the winter my room has been pretty cool at about 68 degrees. However, all my Leo tanks have a red bulb and a UTH. Their warm side was between 85-90 and cool in the 70's. They seem to all enjoy the cool side. Anyway, he is in a 20g long by himself and he has three hides. I got rid of my moist hides because my one gecko insisted on eating the moss and got himself impacted, TWICE! So now I give them baths once a week when I clean their tanks. They are all on reptile carpet. Over the winter I noticed their appetites decrease which I know is normal but he seems to be eating less and less. Now their temperatures are all back at 88-95 warm and 75 cool. I thought since it is warmer he might eat more but he hasn't. Right now it has been over a week since he ate and he only ate one superworm. He is perky and acting normal but he no longer eats his mealworms, supers, or crickets. He is still pooping but they are super tiny. I haven't weighted him but he still looks plum and healthy. I am wondering if I should be worried or if this is normal. Any advice would be much appreciated! This picture is from a couple of months ago but he looks about the same.

 

[Andi]

first of all, that's a big Leo, with really good weight on him. So I wouldn't worry too much about the lack of appetite.

I know both my female took some time off eating in February, I assume because they were ovulating, but your Leo is a boy, so I think you can rule that out.

I would also double check the temps on the warm side. Spending more time on the cool end sounds a bit odd. Also, you can replace the moss with eco earth or plantation soil. Unnecessary baths may be stressing him as well. Keep a close eye on him. Some times when they get older they eat less, it could just be that.

 

[Jess1723]

Okay thank you

 

[Tongue Flicker]

Bigger leos also tend to tone down on eating than they were younger. I seem to notice that to my young one.. looks perfectly normal to me. Just keep an eye out on the pooping routine

 

[Jess1723]

He isn't really pooping because he's not eating

 

[Rebeca]

Beautiful gecko!!

 

[Jess1723]

Welp, he has eaten 3 meal worms since I posted. I weighted him again and he is 93g so I guess he is okay. I still don't like his appetite.

 

[kholtme]

Is he pooping yet? his appetite will change as he gets older. I feed my leo one dubia every other day, but trying to watch his weight carefully, i changed to one roach every 3 days. His poops are small and infrequent compared to when i feed him every day. So i dont think you have a problem, as long as he doesnt lose a lot of weight. Even if his weight went down along with his belly size, i dont think you would have any problems. Leos are designed to go weeks without food and they store nutrients in their tail. So just watch his size and weight and keep us informed.

 

[Jess1723]

The last "poop" I saw was from last night and it was just smeared white. So I don't think there was actually any feces. I'm just trying to keep a close eye on him

 

[charlotteandpenny]

I had my leo do that too. She still eats on and off and looks the same way like yours does. That is what their tail fat is for so i wouldn't worry too much about it. Sometimes after they shed they dont eat for a couple of days or so.

 

[kholtme]

If you are really worried about it, which i wouldnt be, you could try to offer different types of insects. Leopards enjoy change, and sometimes wont eat until they get a change. Avoid waxworms altogether.

 

[Jess1723]

Okay guys, so it's been about a month since u first posted. My gecko has been eating 1-2 insects every week. He has been pooping more though they are still small. He has lost two grams. He is now 91g what do you guys think?

 

[kholtme]

the less he eats the less he will poop! 91 grams is still a good weight. I wouldnt worry about 2 grams, but keep an eye on his weight. Just try different techniques to get him to want to eat.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

88-95 warm and 75 cool

Hi ~

95*F is too warm. 88-92ish is the range you want as measured under the warm dry hide.

What type thermometer are you using? Have you a thermostat?

Thermostats help keep the temperatures pretty stable.

kholtme (Kyle) really likes compacted Eco Earth coco fiber inside his leo's warm moist hide.

 

[Jess1723]

I have a digital thermometer with a cord. It usually doesn't reach 95. When it does, I switch out my bulbs for a lower wattage. I do not have a thermostat.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I have a digital thermometer with a cord. It usually doesn't reach 95. When it does, I switch out my bulbs for a lower wattage. I do not have a thermostat.

Does your digital thermometer have a separate probe for measuring ground and air temperatures?

Thing is you can't be home and awake 24/7. A thermostat will remove the worries about overheating.

I like and use the Hydrofarm MTPRTC thermostat. It's the only inexpensive thermostat I know about that has a digital readout and a small metal probe. Amazon sells it for about $35.

 

[Jess1723]

yeah I have two separate probes. Oh okay thank you! I will definitely look into it

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

yeah I have two separate probes. Oh okay thank you! I will definitely look into it

Hydrofarms fluctuate maybe +/- 3 degrees. I set mine for 91*F. Really haven't ever seen it exceed 91*F.

 

[lbanta]

Elizabeth mine goes from 88 to 93. I imagine it turns on when it goes below 91 and it turns off when it goes over 91. but there is some fluctuation as it seeks the norm of 91.

 

[kholtme]

Fluctuation is normal, mine goes from 88 to 92, when it was colder out and i had my CHE on, one spot would get to 95 on occasion. As long as its around 88-93 you are fine!