Fat Gecko?

[Dexter07]

My coworkers who help me care for adult, male, Taz (Leopard Gecko) have told me he is too fat? Is it possible for a gecko to be obese?

I feed him mealworms every other day and substitute crickets on some occasions. Initially Taz did not eat for the first 3 weeks I had him (early August 2019). Now he has a healthy appetite. He sheds regularly and his stools are normal.

Should I be concerned about this and if so, what is my best option.

Linda

 

[Marillion]

Hi there. Please include clear and well lit pictures (different angles preferably) for us to be able to make that determination. Thanks!

FYI, Mealworms are a higher fat and less nutritional option than properly gut loaded Crickets, Phoenix Worms, Silkworms, Hornworms (to name a few.)

 

[Aimless]

yes, geckos can definitely get fat and a picture would be very helpful.

mealworms are like the cheeseburgers of the feeder world, even when properly dusted.

 

[Dexter07]

He is very difficult to get a photo of. Hates being handled. This is the only pictures I have of him. However, tomorrow I will try to get better ones.

 

[Geopard Lecko]

you should stop listening to your co-workers because so far they have been wrong. the geckos fine. maybe take it home so you dont have to listen to their opinions.

 

[acpart]

I think he looks fine as well.

Aliza

 

[Marillion]

A little hard to be 100% certain with that picture, but I would characterize your gecko as being maybe a "little plump" but not dangerously overweight or anything. He looks healthy.

Admittedly, I have not seen as many geckos as the members above (certainly not as many as Aliza.) So I would trust their opinion. Probably a good idea to get some other feeders in the diet too so you are not feeding quite as many mealworms.

 

[Aimless]

yeah, he's fine. just don't let him gain any, so a transition to a little more crickets and a little fewer mealworms is still a good idea.

 

[Dexter07]

Thank all of you. Our DVM agreed that Taz is not necessarily overweight, but could be a "little" plump and we should watch that he doesn't gain more weight.