7 year old adopted female leopard gecko not active?

[discoverlight]

I adopted a 7 year old female leopard gecko about 3 months ago, she had stuck shed on her nose, around her mouth, and her toes that I got off. She lost the tips of almost all of her toes because of her previous owners, and I was wondering if it's hindering her activity?

(I have a 40gal breeder, selling it to get a 15 or 20) It's 80-90F on the hot side, I have a cool side with a moist hide, fresh water everyday, fed superworms and crickets as staples, but she never does anything but sit in one place, I never even see her sleep!

I was wondering if it had to do with her age, her missing toes, or just her nature? She's not very used to people either, she doesn't like it much when I take her out.

 

[indyana]

I don't think it's her missing toes or age. Seven years is still in her prime, and missing toe tips have never stopped any lizard I know from moving around when they want.

Good health, comfort, and low stress will encourage geckos to be more active. Leopard geckos aren't the most active bunch to being with, and if that one particular spot is the only secure hiding spot at exactly the right temperature (floor temp ~ 88-92 F), she's going to stay there. The best things you can do are review your enclosure and feeding to ensure she's got everything she needs to be healthy and feel safe. Go slow with the handling and be patient with her. It's only been three months, and if she wasn't very healthy and well cared for when you adopted her, she still might not be feeling her best.

I'll link a few of my favorite care sheets, which you can use to review your own care:

Leopard Gecko Care Guide - Leopard Geckos For Sale - Quality Gecko Breeder - Fair Prices - Tremper - Bell - Rainwater - Giant - Mack Snow - Albino - Tangerine - Fattail

Leopard Gecko Care - GeckoBoa Reptiles

 

[discoverlight]

I just rearranged stuff in her tank and added some plants for cover, and she was out yesterday on the rocks which was unusual to see (had a moonlight bulb on) but other than that she still doesn't seem to be moving about very often. My tank has about 4 hides, one on the hot side, two in the middle and one moist hide on the far right of the cool side, she has a water dish near the moist hide and I'm 100% im getting everything right for her. I give her a variety of insects to eat from day to day, she gets tummy warmth, i don't know what else to do. She also keeps her eyes very sharp looking? Like she's peering instead of opening them all the way. Is that genetics?

 

[indyana]

No, I usually see geckos doing that when the light is too bright or they are stressed. If lizards don't want to see you, they will squint their eyes. Mine often do that when they don't want to interact with me or be handled. Edit: They can also do that when relaxed, but it looks more happy.

Are you giving calcium and vitamin supplements on her food?

I would think she just isn't recovered yet and/or is still very shy around you. As mentioned, three months isn't really that long. I've had my one rescue for about a year and a half, and his behavior is still continuing to improve.

 

[discoverlight]

I do, she also has a calcium dish for when she feels like she's lacking. I guess I just have to wait and see if she improves or not

 

[cowana]

I think it will just take time. One of my females I've had for about 6-7 months now and she still is very flighty about being picked up and held. If she sees me put my hand in her tank to change water or something then she will scurry off into a hide most of the time. I've just been really patient with her and sit quietly outside her tank and feed her by hand or tongs when I can and it has helped some, but we have a long way to go. She now will come out when I'm sitting there and I count that as a positive.

 

[discoverlight]

I guess patience is key. I've never had such a shy reptile before, my beardie was always very used to me and never had any complications, but theyre very social.

Also, I have been feeding her 2 superworms a day dusted, she's a very small female? would that be enough to fill her up? I've fed her 2 everyday but now she doesnt seem to eat after one. Is she still passing the others? Should I feed her every other day instead?

 

[indyana]

Leopard geckos are more prone to be flighty, as they are small prey animals with plenty of natural predators. Some are friendlier than others, but if she wasn't properly socialized by her previous owners, it could take a while for her to come around. Patience and showing her that you aren't at all scary is the way to go (that and bringing her lots of delicious things, haha).

You can certain try feeding her less often if you notice she's getting overweight or isn't hungry. Two superworms a day is a lot! As an example, my male (verging on pudgy, so on stricter diet) only gets 2-4 items per week (like superworms, good-sized roaches).

 

[discoverlight]

Haha im definitely overfeeding here, woopsies! Better more than less I suppose, I'm just glad she's eating. She didn't eat for 2 weeks when I first got her, previous owner had her on some black sparkly sand. I took it out immediately after I got her upstairs.

Thanks for the help, I'll cut down a little and watch her progress with time!