Yet another "leo not eating post" but have questions

[RBJersey]

I have a 2 year old (female I think) leo who for just about the past month has stopped eating. All other behaviors are normal (activity level, shedding properly, ect) and my husbandry is spot on. 90-93 degree warm hide with heat mat on thermostat, 80 degree warm zone regulated with overhead lights, moist hide/cool hide and 73-75 degree cool zone.
Now, being as though I'm a little concerned a purchased a digital scale so I could start weighing her. Her tails is pretty fat and I have noticed no weight loss but shes ~117g which I think may be a little overweight. My question is basically do these animal tend to regulate their own body weight? Meaning most animals eat for survival rather than pure pleasure so if the weight is there, is her food trigger basically slowing down? Just need some feedback as i'm seeing that this is a pretty common concern among the forum

 

[DiscoverLight]

Could be ovulation? Most females start ovulation a little later but maybe her cycle is a bit off?
You can check by gently flipping her over on her belly and checking for a white and pink spot in the middle of her tummy

If you're not comfortable with that, then I'd say just wait it out, ovulation can last a long while, and usually they lose a gram or two, but not much more. If she starts losing weight fast, then its definitely not ovulation

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Hi ~

How long is your leo? How about a photo?

Click to sex your leo: Sexing Leopard Geckos

Please make sure you troubleshoot all kholtme's suggestions: http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...d-and-feeding-issues-/78187-gecko-eating.html

 

[kholtme]

They do regulate their food intake to a certain extent, but unless its a giant gene, i might be a little over weight. Can you upload a picture please? I would keep weighing it twice a week and make sure it doesnt loose weight fast. 1 or 2 grams isnt bad, but if 5 or more grams drop in a week let us know

 

[RBJersey]

Thanks for the reply. I weighed again today and still 117g. Been a week so no weight loss. I'll try and post a picture

 

[RBJersey]

uploaded picture of my leo, Pinto

Hopefully these pictures attached. First time doing this.
As mentioned, Pinto has not eaten in over a month now. Weight has not changed, 117g. Behavior has been normal. very active at the proper times of day. Is drinking water as well and passing properly colored urates

 

[Russellm0704]

Looks overweight to me. This time of year, my geckos all slow down on eating. A few will go a couple weeks without eating but not usually longer than that. The good thing is that your gecko is still drinking and pooping normal. Have you tried a different feeder maybe?

 

[RBJersey]

Looks overweight to me. This time of year, my geckos all slow down on eating. A few will go a couple weeks without eating but not usually longer than that. The good thing is that your gecko is still drinking and pooping normal. Have you tried a different feeder maybe?

I thought that maybe she was overweight yes, She lost interest in crickets a long time ago so primary diet was mealworms and supers. Maybe I should try and offer a cricket again

 

[RBJersey]

Gecko not eating: pictures

Hi all,

Just restarting this thread as I've posted pictures of Pinto, my 2 year old female ( I think) who has not eaten in over a month. Just wanted some comments on her in terms of "how she looks". There has been no weight loss, she is 117g which may in fact be overweight. All other behaviors are good : active, drinking water, passing urates. My husbandry is all in place. She was never a voracious eater except when she was young and it wasn't unusual for her to go 2 weeks sans food. Her primary diet recently has been mealworms (she also loves the pre-beetle pupates) and superworms. I'm going to reintroduce crickets this week to see if that stimulates her. Anyhow, comments and or observations regarding her appearance would be great! Thanks

 

[Hilde]

Hi all,

Just restarting this thread

I've merged your new thread with this existing one. It's the same gecko, same problem, no need to start a new thread. Keeping it all in one thread makes it easier to follow.

 

[cricket4u]

Her abdominal area appears very wide. Have you looked at her belly from underneath? They can produce eggs without mating.

A break from too much chitin will be good aside from all the fat. Try soft bodied insects such as hornworms and silkworms.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I have a 2 year old (female I think) leo who for just about the past month has stopped eating. All other behaviors are normal (activity level, shedding properly, ect) and my husbandry is spot on. 90-93 degree warm hide with heat mat on thermostat, 80 degree warm zone regulated with overhead lights, moist hide/cool hide and 73-75 degree cool zone.

Her moist hide should be located on the warm end right above an under tank heat mat. The warmth from the mat generates humidity for shedding assist and hydration. How about filling your leo's moist hide with dampish Eco Earth's coco fiber? That will provide a nesting place in case she is gravid.

 

[amsdadtodd]

I think it would be helpful if you could take some pictures of the underside of her belly. As others said, it appears she could be gravid, that picture would resolve that question right away.

If she is gravid, then it's quite normal for them not to eat.

Todd

 

[RBJersey]

Thanks. The humid hide is in fact on a "warmer" area of enclosure and has never been an issue. I line the cave with damp paper towel then layer spagnum moss. Shedding has always been an non issue as well. Sheds completely in no time flat once she turns "white"

 

[RBJersey]

Thanks for helping! I'm kind of uneducated regarding "gravid" condition in terms of how long it lasts, what occurs ect. some more info here would be helpful

 

[amsdadtodd]

I had a similar concern this past summer and many folks weighed in on the thread I started on the issue. I've linked it below, I think the first two pages will give you a lot if the information you are looking for.

Pay particular attention to the discussion on stopping ovulations by lowering temperatures, this may be most helpful to you, and given the time of year it may be most natural any way.

Todd

http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...issues-/78860-females-arent-eating-picky.html

 

[RBJersey]

was able to get belly pictures

see attached pictures. From what I am seeing maybe she is gravid? If so, what happens next???

 

[amsdadtodd]

Thanks for the pictures! Although not a very clear example, there is an outline of an egg in the second photo, so yes, you likely have an ovulating female. I posted a link to a thread above, I think that post 11 [MENTION=44195]arawn[/MENTION] in that thread will give you a good outline of what you can do to stop ovulation.
Todd

 

[RBJersey]

thanks for the analysis. I guess now that would explain the not eating but I guess I just need to know what happens next. Does the condition pass? are the eggs reabsorbed? does she lay them?? When will she start eating?

 

[amsdadtodd]

I know it's a bit time consuming, but if you read through that thread you will see where some folks with much more experience than I have discussed those very questions.

To summarize poorly, yes. the "condition" (which is really normal life cycle events for a female leopard gecko) will pass. It may need your help to do so, by way of temperature regulation.
If the eggs are not significantly calcified then yes, she will absorb them. If not, she will lay them. In my babies case, she deposited what looked like a thick piece of shed skin, which I presume was an incomplete egg, or slug.
She will start eating when she is done ovulating. If you stop the ovulation by way of temperature regulation then you should not even attempt to feed her until you bring her temps back up.

Again though, please read that thread, so many folks contributed such thorough information that will help you understand what's happening, and what the risks may be.

Todd