Do Gecko's Hibernate?

jerrymb

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I literally have not seen my gecko in weeks. He is constantly in his moist hide even when the temps in the house are colder now that Fall is here. Shouldn't he be seeking heat? He barely eats but he is not losing any weight at all. He comes out to poop which is maybe once a week now. I've read that seasonal changes can cause this. It's just no fun not seeing him move around the tank. It almost as though I have a different lizard then I did a few months ago when he was active and eating like a pig.
 
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reps4life

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I literally have not seen my gecko in weeks. He is constantly in his moist hide even when the temps in the house are colder now that Fall is here. Shouldn't he be seeking heat? He barely eats but he is not losing any weight at all. He comes out to poop which is maybe once a week now. I've read that seasonal changes can cause this. It's just no fun not seeing him move around the tank. It almost as though I have a different lizard then I did a few months ago when he was active and eating like a pig.

No, in captivity if you allow the temps to drop they just slow down. I remembered you ask a few months back so it's obvious there is something wrong. I suggest you double check husbandry and if you really believe it's not related then take him to the vet for an exam. They should have an exam and fecal yearly anyway. If everything comes back normal than there is something that you are doing wrong in regards to his care.
 
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Pinky81

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around this time of year Gecko's will sometimes brumate..basically hibernation. As the daylight changes and the temps cool it can stimulate this occurence in gecko's. Its normal and for a new gecko owner can be nerve racking! Its ok to just let nature take its course as long as the gecko is holding it weight ok. If you want to try and stop it you can keep closer watch on your temps. Maybe add a infared to help your ambient temps stay up. My apartment is around 65 degrees this time of year and into winter and without the infared lamps on my tanks my Leo's also slow down.

Its important that if you use a infrared light that you also use a thermostat with your UTH so as not to raise temps too high. I also have a digital thermo probe that is on the "cool" side of the tank to make sure that temp gradient remains. You won't need a high watt light for a 20gal Long tank. And as always watch your Leo for signs of stress from the lamp. Mine don't seem to mind the infrared lights at all most of the time they lay out under them, but some Leo's do.
 

Pinky81

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No, not in captivity. I remembered you ask a few months back so it's obvious there is something wrong. I suggest you double check husbandry and if you really believe it's not related then take him to the vet for an exam. They should have an exam and fecal yearly anyway. If everything comes back normal than there is something that you are doing wrong in regards to his care.


There is a great article in regards to reptile Brumation on Geckotime.com This kinda behavior can be normal in CB Leo's. And many breeders stimulate brumation to help in the breeding cycle.

My female brumated last year didn't eat but maybe 2-3 times in a 1.5month period.
 
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reps4life

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There is a great article in regards to reptile Brumation on Geckotime.com This kinda behavior can be normal in CB Leo's. And many breeders stimulate brumation to help in the breeding cycle.

That only occurs if you allow the temps to drop. She posted a few months ago the same problem, even during the summer months. She mentioned he did not want to eat.
 

Pinky81

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I don't change anything with my set-up and mine will ALL slow down with the change in light and temp from the enviroment of my apartment.

But to blanket statement that No CB Leo's do NOT hibernate or brumate or slow down due to season is IMO incorrect information. I don't know what she/he posted months ago but the OP states this is in the last weeks and the discription of the information sounds very much like seasonal slowing or brumation. Stating that all pooping is normal, and weights are stable makes me think seasonal slowing.

Also sometimes (even in the summer months) Leo's will decide to go off food for whatever reason, thats why its always a good idea to keep track of weekly weights and note poop.

Not discouraging anyone from seeking a vet, but I did want to give more accurate information on seasonal changes that happen.

Infact just over the last month my male Pyro has slowed WAY down on eating and movement...I added a black light just to up the ambient temps in his viv and tada...he is eating again. Just because the hot spot stays warm from the UTH doesn't mean that the ambient temp in the cage and lighting won't effect the leo.
 

reps4life

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Since it has been a problem for quite a long time I was concerned about temperatures because if they are too hot or too cold they go into what is called aestivation in order to use less energy.
 

reps4life

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I don't change anything with my set-up and mine will ALL slow down with the change in light and temp from the enviroment of my apartment.

But to blanket statement that No CB Leo's do NOT hibernate or brumate or slow down due to season is IMO incorrect information. I don't know what she/he posted months ago but the OP states this is in the last weeks and the discription of the information sounds very much like seasonal slowing or brumation. Stating that all pooping is normal, and weights are stable makes me think seasonal slowing.

Also sometimes (even in the summer months) Leo's will decide to go off food for whatever reason, thats why its always a good idea to keep track of weekly weights and note poop.

Not discouraging anyone from seeking a vet, but I did want to give more accurate information on seasonal changes that happen.

Infact just over the last month my male Pyro has slowed WAY down on eating and movement...I added a black light just to up the ambient temps in his viv and tada...he is eating again. Just because the hot spot stays warm from the UTH doesn't mean that the ambient temp in the cage and lighting won't effect the leo.

Exactly, it's due to temperature fluctuation. That is an error many people do. A reptile should never be warm only underneath. No matter what species, they all need complete body heat. Air temps should be checked as well.
 
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Pinky81

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Since it has been a problem for quite a long time I was concerned about temperatures because if they are too hot or too cold they go into what is called aestivation in order to use less energy.

Completely understand this, but at the same time we can't blanket statement that CB Leo's do not hibernate (brumate)

I guess it is up to the OP to also state what their temps are, but since they were asking about seasonal changes that is why I gave the info I did.
 

Pinky81

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Wisconsin
Since it has been a problem for quite a long time I was concerned about temperatures because if they are too hot or too cold they go into what is called aestivation in order to use less energy.

Completely understand this, but at the same time we can't blanket statement that CB Leo's do not hibernate (brumate)

I guess it is up to the OP to also state what their temps are, but since they were asking about seasonal changes that is why I gave the info I did. And again OP states last few weeks, so yes question would be how long this is actually going on, again I can't remember posts from back in summer :main_laugh: Im getting old LOL
 

Pinky81

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Exactly, it's due to temperature fluctuation. That is an error many people do. A reptile should never be warm only underneath. No matter what species, they all need complete body heat. Air temps should be checked as well.

I won't go as far to say that this change is a error that reptile keeps make. Its technically a natural process..one in which most reptiles don't FULLY go into due to constant UTH heat. But the temp and daylight hours vary to a degree that they do "slow down". But its not what I would call a "error".
 

Pinky81

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And IMO an ok process to let your Leo go through as long as the keeper is keeping track of weights, poop, temps, and eating and that the Leo is in good health and weight. As long as there is a spot for the leo to get that belly heat to digest its smaller more infrequent meals. Many Leo's float through winter months with infrequent meals and infrequent activity..but then pick right back up in spring. It all depends on the owner and their knowledge and attentiveness.
 

reps4life

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I won't go as far to say that this change is a error that reptile keeps make. Its technically a natural process..one in which most reptiles don't FULLY go into due to constant UTH heat. But the temp and daylight hours vary to a degree that they do "slow down". But its not what I would call a "error".

It's an error when the air temps are allowed to drop to low during the day. The problem is in captivity it's important to monitor body core temp so that their immune system does not become compromised. They have limited options and are under constant stress when they are not kept under the best conditions.

Think hard and you will catch what I mean Pinky81;):)
 

reps4life

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And IMO an ok process to let your Leo go through as long as the keeper is keeping track of weights, poop, temps, and eating and that the Leo is in good health and weight. As long as there is a spot for the leo to get that belly heat to digest its smaller more infrequent meals. Many Leo's float through winter months with infrequent meals and infrequent activity..but then pick right back up in spring. It all depends on the owner and their knowledge and attentiveness.

YES, ]
It all depends on the owner and their knowledge and attentiveness.

:main_yes:
 

M_surinamensis

Shillelagh Law
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1,165
Completely understand this, but at the same time we can't blanket statement that CB Leo's do not hibernate (brumate)

Hibernation and brumation are very different physiological processes, totally unique metabolic involvement.

Leos do not, under any circumstances ever, hibernate.
 

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