New here and just wanted to ask a question

Roach0998

New member
Hey guys I'm new here and I just wanted to ask some questions. So i got my leopard gecko this past saturday from a breeder, my first leo, and today when changing his water I didn't notice he was under his ceramic log hide so he just stood still and I just waited for him to move into his temple hide before I changed the water so I wouldn't spook him. So as he slowly moved I noticed his legs kind of trembling not much and not with every step but there was still a tremble. Last night he was moving around everywhere perfectly fine without a problem even climbing all his hides and such so I just wanted to ask if the trembling could have been because he was scared to move since I was right there? Or is this something I should be worried about? He hasn't eaten since I got him and I don't expect him to yet since he has only been here for 3 days but I have seen him lick his pure calcium bowl numerous times.
 

Zux

New member
If the trembling you mentioned tends to happen when the limbs are moved very slowly and often just before they reach the ground then this is a common and often missed trait in Leos. It was and is my feeling this spasm is linked to a dietary deficiency, however deficiency of what I just cant say for sure.

I have reversed the symptoms in any Gecko in my care showing these mini tremors by both ensuring their feeder insects are always gut-loaded with quality foods and I stick to my supplementing schedule rigorously, for which I use Repashy's Calcium Plus (at every feeding for those geckos showing symptoms).

You should have no problems clearing it up within the space of 1-2 months if you follow what I mentioned.

If you like, though not required, you can post a short video clip of the tremor and I can tell you if it is indeed the same issue.
 

Roach0998

New member
Thanks for your response! I'm hoping it's just a trait it did only happen when he walked away slowly and at night he moves around without a problem. I have zoo meds reptivite for multi vitamins with d3 and also have pure calcium without d3 in there at all times would you recommend repashy calcium plus over this? He hasn't eaten yet but I haven't worried about that yet since he's just moved in and I was told by the breeder he ate the morning I picked him up.
 

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
Thanks for your response! I'm hoping it's just a trait it did only happen when he walked away slowly and at night he moves around without a problem. I have zoo meds reptivite for multi vitamins with d3 and also have pure calcium without d3 in there at all times would you recommend repashy calcium plus over this? He hasn't eaten yet but I haven't worried about that yet since he's just moved in and I was told by the breeder he ate the morning I picked him up.

How old is your leo?

I would not keep any supplement including Reptivite multivitamins, with or without D3, in the enclosure at all. I feel that there is too much chance of overdose. Too much calcium can coat the intestinal track and prevent absorption of other vitamins.
 
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Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
Some members do use Repashy's Calcium Plus with good results as well.

Since you already have Reptivite with D3 lightly dust with that once each week. Then at 2 additional feedings per week lightly dust with plain calcium carbonate.

These schedules depend upon feeding a good quality dry diet to your insects and worms 24/7. Finely grind Zoo Med's Natural ADULT Bearded Dragon Food (or an equivalent high quality dry diet) to feed the bugs and worms. That covers the basics. Then supplement this 24/7 dry diet occasionally with high calcium, low phosphorus, leafy greens: collard, mustard, and turnip greens, and pesticide-free dandelion flowers and greens. Vary your leopard gecko's diet. Crickets, Blaptica dubia, hornworms, Phoenix worms, and silkworms are all good.

Nutritional Comparisons of Insects & Worms:
17342539_1319514908116112_444175116466682477_n.jpg
click to enlarge

Weekly Schedule 124 for Leopard Geckos 0-12 months old

Crickets or dubia >> Monday - lightly dusted with Zoo Med Repti Calcium with D3
Mealworms >> Tuesday
Crickets or dubia >> Wednesday - lightly dusted with pure precipitated calcium carbonate (Zoo Med's Repti Calcium or NOW human brand calcium) without D3
Crickets or dubia >> Thursday
Crickets or dubia >> Friday - lightly dusted with Zoo Med ReptiVite multivitamins without D3
Mealworms >> Saturday
No food or free choice >> Sunday

Future weeks:
Continue on since all weeks are identical. . . . . .
 
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Roach0998

New member
Thanks for all that information! I'll definitely try to stick him to a strict eating schedule when he's less shy. He's around 1 year old I was told he's a giant and he weighs 74 grams he's pretty big with a plump tail I was also told he only eats meal worms so that's what I've provided with him right now though I do plan to mix up his diet abit when he gets accustomed.
If I see him trembling again I will take a video to see if anyone can see what it could be.
 

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
Thanks for all that information! I'll definitely try to stick him to a strict eating schedule when he's less shy. He's around 1 year old I was told he's a giant and he weighs 74 grams he's pretty big with a plump tail I was also told he only eats meal worms so that's what I've provided with him right now though I do plan to mix up his diet abit when he gets accustomed.
If I see him trembling again I will take a video to see if anyone can see what it could be.

You are welcome. Can you find out from the breeder how large his parents are? Knowing that will be helpful so that you can provide him with maximum nutrition while he's still growing.

These schedules depend upon feeding a good quality dry diet to your insects and worms 24/7. Finely grind Zoo Med's Natural ADULT Bearded Dragon Food (or an equivalent high quality dry diet) to feed the bugs and worms. That covers the basics. Then supplement this 24/7 dry diet occasionally with high calcium, low phosphorus, leafy greens: collard, mustard, and turnip greens, and pesticide-free dandelion flowers and greens. Vary your leopard gecko's diet. Crickets, Blaptica dubia, hornworms, Phoenix worms, and silkworms are all good.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Weekly Schedule 126 for Leopard Geckos 18 months old +
Crickets or dubia >> Monday - lightly dusted with Zoo Med Repti Calcium with D3
Crickets or dubia >> Thursday - lightly dusted with Zoo Med ReptiVite multivitamins without D3
Mealworms >> Saturday - no dusting

Future weeks:
Continue on since all weeks are identical. . . . . .
 
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Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHM_cpGueNc

I'm not sure if you can see it so well here because as I said before he barely trembles and then he stayed inside his ceramic log after this was shot if this doesn't help I can try again when he starts moving around more.

How about removing his hide and then filming the trembling? Are you noticing it with all 4 feet?

Maybe Shane can spot the trembling?

Female Leopard Gecko---very slight tremors when walking
Click video from dbott67: Female Leopard Gecko - YouTube
 

Roach0998

New member
I will try to get that information from the breeder as soon as possible and thank you for the extra information i greatly appreciate it!
it looks exactly like that video you posted of the female! i got a bit more footage of him https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv8AKzy1nEg thank you so much for helping me. I tried slowly putting my hand inside his cage just to get him a bit accustomed to me he at first came to lick my hand but then he made a squealing noise so i slowly took my hand out is that normal?
also forgot to ask is the adult bearded dragon food the pellet food? and how many times do i add the calcium carbonate to his food?
 
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Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
Be sure to buy the adult beardie food: Natural Bearded Dragon Food - Adult Formula

Slow and steady movements are best! You can also talk to him in a low, quiet voice, just so that he becomes accustomed to your presence. Squealing is not unusual. Leos are easily startled and will often bolt for the nearest hide.

Scroll to post 123 in my Leo Guidelines below for very specific info on Taming your Leo by Zux (Shane).

How often had your new leo been eating at the breeders?

As long as you use a good quality dry diet for the insects and worms 24/7, I recommend lightly dusting his prey 1x per week with Zoo Med's D3 Reptivite and 2x per week with plain calcium carbonate until he's 18 months old. Then probably cut back the plain calcium carbonate dusting to 1x per week and continue the D3 Reptivite dusting 1x per week.
 
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Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
I will try to get that information from the breeder as soon as possible and thank you for the extra information i greatly appreciate it!
it looks exactly like that video you posted of the female! i got a bit more footage of him https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv8AKzy1nEg thank you so much for helping me. I tried slowly putting my hand inside his cage just to get him a bit accustomed to me he at first came to lick my hand but then he made a squealing noise so i slowly took my hand out is that normal?
also forgot to ask is the adult bearded dragon food the pellet food? and how many times do i add the calcium carbonate to his food?

Let's wait for Shane's feedback on your leo's slight trembling.
 

Roach0998

New member
Alright then I'll be sure to get the adult beardie food tomorrow thank you. i just read that post that information was great I'll be sure to take it slow and steady with him.
I was told he was eating every other day and the day I picked him up he had just eaten that morning.
Ok then thank you for all this information. I have one more question since he hasn't eaten yet since saturday should there be a time where I should assist feed him? or should I just wait until he eats on his own?
 

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
Alright then I'll be sure to get the adult beardie food tomorrow thank you. i just read that post that information was great I'll be sure to take it slow and steady with him.
I was told he was eating every other day and the day I picked him up he had just eaten that morning.
Ok then thank you for all this information. I have one more question since he hasn't eaten yet since saturday should there be a time where I should assist feed him? or should I just wait until he eats on his own?
Yes, Shane is very thorough (and quite wise)!

I'd continue feeding him every other day.

Did the breeder tell you what size your leo's parents are? :)

At 74 grams I would not worry that he has not eaten yet. Some leos take much longer to settle in. Just keep fresh water in his enclosure so that he stays hydrated. :)
 

Zux

New member
Hi again,

From those videos it does indeed look like those common tremors, it is always more pronounced or noticeable in the front limbs but is likely present in all 4 and the rear just lack the range of motion to highlight it.

If you follow the plan Elizabeth has kindly laid out above you should be able to resolve it without long term issue's, but begin asap.
 

Roach0998

New member
Alright then great! Thank you guys so much I was beginning to freak out haha now that I know how to take care of this I'll begin right away I can not thank you guys enough!
Oh almost forgot the breeder said he doesn't know the parents of this one since they got him from one of their breeder friends :/
 

Yoshi'smom

New member
I know I'm late to the train here, but I figured I'd input my 2 cents here.
I have a perfectly healthy leopard gecko who is an albino strain and she displays the same little hand and foot tremors while she is placing her hands down.
I've done lots of research since I first discovered it.
I believe it to be very light symptoms of Enigma Syndrome. Since I'm not sure of her genetics and she's clearly an albino of sorts, it's a possibility that she could be a carrier of the enigma gene since enigma first started in the enigma morph (albino strains as a base).
Again, it doesn't affect her in any other way than a slight shake to her foot before she places it down and a tendency to turn herself around suddenly.
Since the breeder doesn't know the genetics of your geckos parents, your gecko could very well be a carrier of the enigma gene. It has been shown in many different morphs.
Here's some reading material on the enigma syndrome:
Enigma - Leopard Gecko Wiki
Enigma Syndrome in Leopard Geckos: An Autosomal Dominant Disorder - Gecko Time - Gecko Time
Perhaps this is what we are experiencing.
 
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Roach0998

New member
Oh wow that's very interesting I didn't even consider that to be the possibility thanks! I'll definitely look into that as a possibility why he shakes abit. When he gets abit more accustomed I'll take him to a vet just for a check up and see he's doing ok until then though I'll be sure to feed him with a good diet regardless of what the shaking could be. I'm always just so paranoid since he is my first Leo and I've already grown to love him despite it being just a few days with him haha
 

Yoshi'smom

New member
They are wonderful little creatures and I know how attached someone can feel even after just a few days. They are very much a part of my family.
When my first leopard gecko died, I had him tattooed on my shoulder (his favorite place to hang out). He was my first gecko and the start of my passion for geckos, so I felt it was a good way to honor him.
We love our geckos here!
 

Roach0998

New member
Aw man sorry for your loss but I'm sure he still loves that spot on your shoulder. I already feel like my gecko Stone is a beloved part of my family.
 
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