Any insight?

[Adinar]

Earlier today my husband and I went and got two barely months old baby leos, an albino and a super snow blizzard. I noticed at the store that all the of the little albinos seemed to be acting all the same, just laying around all lazy and lethargic. And if they were up moving around, their little pink eyes were squeezed shut. Every leo at the pet store (since we don't name drop, but it was a major chain) looked very healthy and all the cages looked super clean. But these three all seemed a little on the small, skinny side.


I know it's been less than a day, but I did notice at feeding time that the blizz was grabbing crickets up left and right (although he needs ALOT of practice. lol) while the albino just seemed to be wandering around with his eyes closed most of the time. And when his eyes were actually opened, he would spot a cricket and v e r y s l o w l y go for for it, and by the time he got his mouth closed the cricket would be a mile away. I decided to put him in a small container to finish eatting (he did somehow manage to catch 2 in the cage) and same thing. Finally I decided to drop a small waxie in to see what he'd do and grabbed it up before it even had time to bounce.

I'm just wondering if anyone else had a similar experience like this, almost like they didn't see the food until it was right up close and all. (Go figure he's slow at hunting, but was quick enough to nip my fingers when I picked him up. lol) Any advice on where I should go from here would be appreciated.

 

[KnECritters]

My guess is that it's too bright for the albinos. Put him/her in a dark room when feeding, or cover the container.

 

[Adinar]

I half wondered about that, as I had heard that albinos are sometimes sensitive to light. Wasn't sure if it was true or not.

 

[EchoPet]

Yeah, albinos will be sensitive to light for something like their first few months (forget exactly how long, but I'm sure if you do a search here on the forum you can find the info). I'd either try feeding in a separate container someplace darkened, or try feeding at night without turning the light on in the room where the geckos are. Since one is having an easier time of hunting and eating than the other, keep an eye on them so the albino doesn't get bullied or start to decline while the other thrives.

 

[acpart]

You could also try mealworms since there was such a good response to waxworms. Mealworms don't move as fast as crickets and are much more nutritios than waxworms.

Aliza

 

[VTHokie]

You could also try mealworms since there was such a good response to waxworms. Mealworms don't move as fast as crickets and are much more nutritios than waxworms.

Or even spring for some Phoenix worms. They wiggle enticingly, but aren't fast enough to escape, and supposedly have tremendous nutritional value. They are a tad pricey, but I am going to make them my main feeders after the very positive results I have had with my first couple experiments.

 

[Adinar]

Hm, I might have to look into that. I haven't heard of that type of worm before.

Normally I wouldn't give them waxies right off the bat, but after picking thru the mealies I have on hand, they looked a little too big for the poor thing to handle. I'll be goingo ut today after work to see if I can find any smaller sized mealies and go from there.

 

[Adinar]

Still seem to be having some trouble getting him to eat. One night he polishes off 4-5 small crickets, then the next only a single mealie. :main_no: Sure hope the little guy snaps out of it and starts eatting more so he can gain a bit of weight.

 

[leegooman2323]

Also, it is sometimes good to leave your geckos in their new home for a few days without touching or feeding them. I don't know why, but apparently some geckos do not eat when they go through such a big environment change.

 

[Chewbecca]

My guess is:
He's an albino and their eyes can be sensitive to light for the first three months.

Also, he's a baby and he's in a new environment.

4-5 crickets for a guy that small???
He just might not feel like eating much the next day. The key is to keep food in a dish for him and hope that he eats when he's hungry.
Offer crickets every other night.

Also, count how many mealies you leave in a dish. That way if he eats any, you'll know.

Leos can vary in personality and appetite.
I have 4 piggies downstairs that don't hesitate to gobble up ANYTHING I put in their bowl or let loose in their cage, right in front of me.
I have 3 upstairs that I only got 2 weeks ago, and they are all of great weight and health, but they are not comfortable enough with me yet to eat in front of me.
And they eat less than the 4 piggies I have downstairs.


I bet if you set about 10-15 mealies in his dish, place a carrot wedge in the dish and a pinch of gut-load, those mealies will be gone within 3 days.
He'll most likely eat at night when you are not watching him and it's dark.

That's what mine do.

 

[Adinar]

Hm, I'll have to try that, the only thing I worry about is Dante is in the same tank. He's like a little purple vaccuum. The bug or worm doesn't even have time to bounce. lol. Which is why I always put Obi in a seperate container to eat. But I'll see what I can come up with.

Thanks.

 

[Wreptile]

You're saying you found a SS Blizzard at a major chain store?
Wow, if so, you are very lucky!

 

[Adinar]

I did, it was a random event, which is why I quickly grabbed up the little guy.

My hubby was coming home from band practice last Saturday and decided to stop there for crickets for our other guys. He decided to take a look and see what all they had, so after talking to the girl in that department he calls me up and tells me about the three albino babies and kept mentioning a "plum colored" baby in there as well. He had no idea what it was, and I didn't know what he was trying to describe. He tried taking some pics with his cell but just couldn't get any good shots. We decided to go up the next day so I could see for myself and make the final decision.

We get there and track someone down since the girl he spoke to the night before said that she would be off that day. So the next one who helped us out opened the tank and let us look at all them. As we were looking at them she was telling us how they get them in from a breeder from the area (I didn't think they dealt with private breeders, but apparently I was wrong.) and that he was one short from filling his order so just sent one in to fill it. She couldn't find him at first, but eventually did and behold. I couldn't believe what I saw. Talk about luck. lol. I didn't think twice about getting him. I'm not entierly sure if they knew what they had. All's I know is I paid 30 buck for the little guy. :main_thumbsup:

 

[Wreptile]

Very nice find. Any pictures?

 

[Adinar]

I posted one on the showing off the leos part of the forum, but it seems the babies are still a little camera shy. lol.