Overheated for too long...? :(

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duckhunter111

New member
For the past few weeks my male leopard gecko has been eating less and less and is getting more lethargic. I couldn't figure out what could be the problem because he was so healthy before. I feel so bad for not doing this earlier but I finally took the temperature of his hot hid and it was around 100 degrees Fahrenheit. No wonder why he was always in his moist hide. I think I may have done permanent damage to him. I feel like such a bad pet owner. Currently he isn't eating much of anything. He's eaten a few wax worms this week but that's it. Is there anything I can do for him?
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
Please order a Hydrofarm thermostat off Amazon right away. They cost about $35 and will do an excellent job controlling your UTH. There is no substitute.

Please don't feed any waxworms. They are pure fat. Your leo will get addicted to them. Then you'll really have a feeding problem.

Please share pictures of your leo and of his cage.

Your leo will be better off if you continue all your set up questions on a single thread. That way we can easily get the big picture without chasing multiple threads about the same leo. Then folks can see what's gone on before and will save everyone from reinventing the wheel.

:)
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
duckhunter111 said:
His cage: http://i.imgur.com/93JHCF8.jpg
Himself: http://i.imgur.com/alf1pML.jpg

I normally wouldn't give him wax worms but I'm worried about him not eating anything. His favorite are superworms but he won't touch them.
Click to expand...

You have a very pretty leo. Your leo has very good body weight. :) As long as he does not lose weight, I'd not worry yet.

100*F is way too hot for the warm hide. Temperatures there should range from 88-92*F. I strongly suggest getting that Hydrofarm thermostat to keep the temperatures in the proper range.

Recommended temperatures for all leos regardless of size
88-93 F (31-34 C) maximum ground temperature at warm end
no greater than 85 F (29.5 C) air temperature - 4 inches above ground on the warm end
no greater than 75 F (24.5 C) air temperature - 4 inches above ground on the cool end

Leave the UTH on 24/7. Turn off overhead lighting/heating at night (~12 hours on and ~12 hours off) unless ambient room temperatures are particularly cool during the night.

I notice that you have analog (circle) thermometers. Oftentimes they are inaccurate. Please get a digital thermometer with a probe right away. Place the probe under the warm dry hide on the ground. What is the reading? The moist hide also goes on the warm end.

What size is your leo's enclosure?

Again I caution: NO WAXWORMS.

Please read this recent sticky for details: http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...eding-issues/78187-your-gecko-not-eating.html
 
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kholtme

kholtme

New member
Elizabeth gave you some great info

I noticed that your moist hide was on the cool side. What temps are the paper towels in there? It is important to have a warm side and a cool side on your tank. It is also important to have your moist hide on the warm side of your tank. Its not good to have a cold and wet gecko. You may need to get a larger tank in order to fit a warm moist hide, a warm dry hide hide, and a cool dry hide. If you upgrade your tank it would also be good to upgrade your uth so that it is 1/2 the size of the bottom of your tank.

I believe petco is having a 1 dollar per gallon sales on tank. I recommend a 20 gallon long tank for the minimum size.
 
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duckhunter111

New member
His hot hide is now closer to 82ish degrees but he is still not showing much interest in food. He is worrying me most because he is showing signs of having the same problems as a gecko I got with him.

I got my boy as a rescue along with a female. The person that had them before had let them live together in poor conditions. When I got them at the end of august they were both small. The male made a great recovery but the female never seemed to get better. She never showed any interest in food so I hand feed her until she passed away about a month ago. She seemed to have some neurological issues, she couldn't walk in a straight line, contorted he body, and would flip her self over on to her back. And whenever she went to the bathroom she would get a little prolapsed and it would go back on its own.

Now Im afraid the male has the same problem as she did.
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
duckhunter111 said:
His hot hide is now closer to 82ish degrees but he is still not showing much interest in food. He is worrying me most because he is showing signs of having the same problems as a gecko I got with him.

I got my boy as a rescue along with a female. The person that had them before had let them live together in poor conditions. When I got them at the end of august they were both small. The male made a great recovery but the female never seemed to get better. She never showed any interest in food so I hand feed her until she passed away about a month ago. She seemed to have some neurological issues, she couldn't walk in a straight line, contorted he body, and would flip her self over on to her back. And whenever she went to the bathroom she would get a little prolapsed and it would go back on its own.

Now Im afraid the male has the same problem as she did.
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Have you been able to catch up with past posts on this thread? We've offered some good suggestions. :)

You now mention your male's hot hide is close to 82*F. That is way too cool and may be the reason why he is not eating. At 82*F a leo is not able to digest his food. It is super important for the hot/warm hide to be 88-92ish F as measured with a digital thermometer with a probe!

I think your leo deserves this care.

Sounds as if your female was an enigma morph. Enigmas can have certain developmental problems. :(
 
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duckhunter111

New member
I think you'll all be happy to hear I got a dimmer for his heater and its working great. I'm using a probe thermometer and its currently at 89.1*F in his hot hide. What temp should his moist hide be?
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
duckhunter111 said:
I think you'll all be happy to hear I got a dimmer for his heater and its working great. I'm using a probe thermometer and its currently at 89.1*F in his hot hide. What temp should his moist hide be?
Click to expand...

89.1*F is good for the hot hide. :) The acceptable range is 88-92*F.

Is your moist hide on the warm end too? What substrate did you use inside?

The temperature in your leo's warm moist hide should be very close the the temperature inside his hot hide.
 
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duckhunter111

New member
Theres paper towels in there now. I have some sphagnum moss but I don't like to use it because it gets gross after awhile. I was away for spring break and when I came back there was a little mold in moist hide :/
 
kholtme

kholtme

New member
Try using eco earth. Ive used it before and love it! And if it gets swallowed it is easier to digest because it isnt as stringy as moss.
 
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