First Gecko - Worried Owner

[Pollution]

About your leo:
- Sex: Male
- Age & Weight: A little over 1 year & I haven't had the chance to weigh him yet
- How long have you owned your leo: 2 Weeks Exactly
- Where was he/she obtained: Breeder

A) Health/History
- How often do you handle your leo: Haven't touched him since he first arrived
- Is your leo acting any different today?: He's always in his humid hide during daytime hours
- Has he/she had any problems in the past, if so please describe: N/A
B) Fecals
- Describe (look any different than normal): seemed normal, brown bit with urate/urine piece connected to it
- When was the last time he/she went: The 2nd day he was here
C) Problem
- Darwin hasn't ate since he arrived. I know it's not something to panic over, but it's been 2 weeks so I wanted to ask for help! I chose to leave mealworms in a dish because that's what the breeder was feeding him, but he hasn't touched them. I've taken the worms out for a few days and brought them back just in case he was stressed by them being there but he still isn't interested. I haven't seen him come out of his humid hide in the past week, though my husband says he sees him on his UTH spot around 5-6am sometimes. For the 1st week he was pretty active in the evening, but has started staying in his hide. I'm not sure if maybe the room is too busy for him? He is next to my computer desk, though it didn't seem to bother him the first week as he was very curious & slept on his UTH most of the time.

Any help/tips would be appreciated! I'm not sure if I should move him to a more secluded room, change his food options, or something else. :main_huh:
He doesn't seem thin/skinny to me, but I am concerned!

Housing:
A) Enclosure
- Size: 24Lx18Wx12H inch exo terra terrarium
- Type : glass
- Type of substrate: Ceramic tiles & Paper Towels
- Hides, how many, what kind: 1 hot hide(half log), 1 cold hide(resin?), & 1 resin humid hide/cave
B) Heating
- Heat source: UTH & a ceramic heat bulb(no light)
- Cage temps (hot side, cool side): Hot side: 94°F, Cool Side: 75°F, Air Temp: 75-80°F
- Method of regulating heat source: Both heat sources are plugged in through thermostats
- What are you using to measure your temps: Thermometer & Temp Gun
- Do you have any lights (describe): Just the ceiling light in the room (turned off at night)
C) Cage mates
- How many (males, females): None
- Describe health, or previous problems: N/A

Describe Diet:
A) Typical diet
- What you're feeding (how often, how much): mealworms, I leave 15-20 in a dish
- How are you feeding (hand fed, left in dish, ect): Left in dish
B) Supplements (describe how often)
- What vitamin/minerals are you using (list brands): Repti Calcium (no D3) & Reptivite Vitamins with D3, but he hasn't ate anything for me to list how often. Calcium is always available in his cage though.
- What are you gut loading food with: Wheat bran they came with & Apples for moisture

 

[acpart]

Welcome to GF! Even after 2 weeks, some leopard geckos still haven't eaten yet. As a matter of fact, I have leopard geckos that don't eat for weeks or even months. As long as they're not losing weight (tail getting smaller), it's probably OK. I have also seen leopard geckos that pick a spot they like and stay there a lot. Most new leopard geckos will spend the first few days exploring and then be much more reclusive. I don't think it's an issue of the room environment being too busy. You may want to consider getting rid of the ceramic heat emitter. I think consistent air temps of 75-80 are a bit high and could dehydrate the gecko. In addition, some adult geckos get bored with mealworms. If you can manage it, try some crickets and see what happens.

Aliza

 

[Ozy]

Try feeding him some crickets with tongs. I got my leo when she was a teeny little baby and that was the only way she would eat. She's over 5 years old now and going strong. Just hold the cricket in the tweezers, tongs or whatever and move it a little in front of his face. the movement stimulates the feeding response. I also agree with AC, as long as the tail isn't getting thin he should be ok. Also, my leopard gecko is in our computer room and she loves it, so the room shouldn't be an issue. Good luck

 

[Pollution]

Thank you both for your input! I lowered the temp for the overhead heat emitter and I'm glad to say he finally ate last night! Seeing the crickets crawl about his cage really got him excited & I'd say he ate around 8 adult crickets. He also came out of hiding and has been sleeping on his UTH for most of the day which makes me feel a lot more relieved.

Thank you again for your help!

 

[acpart]

Glad things are working out better.

Aliza