Feeding/Behavior Questions 5 Year Old Male Gecko

[mnapiork]

I adopted a 5 year old male leopard gecko a few weeks ago and I've been feeding him every second day. Each feeding I offer about 3 crickets, but he usually only eats one or doesn't eat any until the next feeding (4 days from the last meal). His aim when striking a cricket is usually off as well, should I be concerned?

How many crickets should a 5 year old male leopard gecko be eating and how often should they be fed? What should their behavior be like when the crickets enter the aquarium (passive or aggressive)?

Thanks!

 

[STUTFL]

Well first off, leos take some time to acclimate to new surroundings. They don't eat or come out as much, and prefer not to be handled for a while.

That said, if he continues like this after he's settled:
My leo is an adult and took at least 5 crickets per feeding (in a different cage), but slowly got bored of them so I switched to mealies, supers, etc.
He immediately goes into hunt/stalk mode when he's hungry and sees movement, even if I just snap my fingers at the edge of his vision.

Do you feed in bright light, is there a light in the tank, and/or is your leo one of the albino morphs? How's his weight, does his tail look fat? What did he eat before you got him?

 

[mnapiork]

No, he's not an albino morph. I'm pretty sure he's healthy because his tail is quite thick.

He was being fed crickets by his previous owner.

Nope, no light in the tank. The room is fairly dark (small light on the opposite side of the room, but that's it). I also leave a lamp on during the day (close to his tank) and then turn it off at night. I feed him at night when the room is fairly dark.

I just recently put a moist hide in his tank (on the warm side) and have damp moss in it. He appears to really like it in there because he doesn't come out very much. I've read that that is pretty normal though, right?

Thanks for the help!

 

[STUTFL]

They do like the humid hides; you can always remove it between sheds if he seems overly fond of camping out in there.
How are your temps? They do get sluggish and eat less if it gets too cool - many just slow down over the cold months, too.

 

[mnapiork]

The cold side of the tank is about 75°-78° and the warm side (has under tank heater) is around 90°-93°.

 

[Angel]

try other food as well mine get bored of the same thing and some have diff preferences, my male likes hunting crickets where as 2 of my females love mealies and then they all kinda pick at supers. but variety is good he may be bored. thats if all your temps are good and there isnt any other thing you notice off about him.

 

[STUTFL]

Is that him in your sig? Handsome fellow.

How long is "a few weeks," exactly?

I have to agree that if all else is well, and he's been fed exclusively or almost exclusively crickets for 5 years, he could very easily just be bored of the things. Which is good news if you don't like keeping the stinky little noisemakers in your home. :tongue3: Try a variety, it's healthy and will keep the little guy entertained.

 

[JaZ]

Is there a dish of calcium in the tank with him? Sometimes they can get wobbly if they need some calcium.

 

[mnapiork]

Yep, that's a photo of him on the left.

I've had him just over 3 weeks. Maybe he's still adjusting...

I think I'll try mixing up his diet a bit and see if that helps. I've read that meal worms aren't as nutritious as crickets, is that true? What exactly are super worms?

Yep, I have a small dish of calcium (without D3) in the tank and I dust the crickets with calcium with D3 once a week. The other feedings I add multivitamin.

 

[STUTFL]

Well, here's a nutritional analysis of some of the main feeders (bottom of the page), couldn't tell you how accurate.

Superworms are similar in appearance to mealworms but a good deal bigger. They prefer warmer temps and more moisture than mealies - can't just chuck 'em in the fridge if you have extras. They're still easier to keep alive than crickets, though. My gecko adores them, they're big and move a lot. They don't die as fast as mealies if they try to commit suicide in the water dish, either. :laugh:

 

[mnapiork]

I think I'll give meal worms a shot this week and see how it goes.

So... meal worms can be kept in a container with air holes with oatmeal as a bedding and a piece of apple or potato for moisture, right? I have a bunch of Fluker's Cricket Calcium food, can I add that to the oatmeal as well for gut loading?

Thanks for the nutritional info STUTFL!

 

[mnapiork]

Success!!! He loves the meal worms!!! Thanks for the help everyone!!!

 

[Shera]

That's great! By the way, welcome to the board (from a fellow Canadian )

 

[mnapiork]

Thanks! This forum is great!

 

[STUTFL]

Congrats!
Remember, you can keep 'em in the fridge to slow their maturation, but you'll still want to warm them up and let them eat a bit before offering to your leo.

Welcome to the boards, we're always glad to help - though here's hoping you and your leo won't need it!
(I love his head pattern, it reminds me of a bicycle chain for some reason :laugh: )