Gecko Independence

[AntMan612]

I was curious how long adult leopard geckos could be left alone with ample food and water (e.g., a generous amount of mealworms, large waterer, and some freeze dried gecko food, too.) Personally, I'm already concerned even on 3-4 day trips out of town. But, should there be no worries leaving them on their own for 1 week? 2 weeks? Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[andypg3]

Well, you always run the risk of something going awry; like the temps getting screwed up, a water dish getting knocked over, or any other unforeseen accident. If nobody is there to check on the gecko, those little accidents could be a big deal.

But, if you find that risk acceptable, I guess the trick would be keeping the mealworms alive in the dish for an extended period. Maybe some gutload and carrots would keep them going for a week or so, but I don't know/haven't tried it. Having an adult leo helps since they don't require as much food.

Having confidence in my setup (i.e. heat and lighting) and a low risk of accidents within the cage, I would leave an adult leo as you described above for a week or so if I had to. Given the option, I would arrange to have someone check on the leo at least a couple times during that time and provide them with fresh water and food.

The more experienced keepers on here probably have a much better grasp on this.

 

[Ccrashca069]

With my set-ups I am very confident being gone up to 2 days. With eggs that is a tottally differant story :main_laugh:

 

[syntheticreality]

I worry a little bit going away for a weekend, but it doesn't seem to be a problem. I am, however, in the process of finding some better food/water dishes these guys cant tip over

Beyond that, with adult leos, I would see a week vacation as a fairly low risk. Just, like you said, stock up on food, and feed the hell out of them the night before you leave

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

When I go down to LA for my annual Reptile Show, I can leave my geckos for 2-3 days and not worry about them. I do worry about eggs being laid and baies hatching while I'm gone... as well as thingle like temperature controllers malfunctioning, etc. I have Jacy that wil come an take care of my geckos while I'm gone, which is great because I am a worry-wart!

(People who raise geckos rarely get to go on vacation...)

 

[david13]

the only thing i am thinking about is water..

 

[Kimjorg]

We have left them for a week several times while we were on vacation and acutally just added an extra dish of mealworms and water and we never had a problem. Just make sure that your heating is extremely stable.

 

[Leopardbreeder]

I am fine leaving my geckos for 4-5 days.

 

[AntMan612]

Fortunately, I believe have a very stable setup as far as heating and food/water sustainability, which I double and triple check constantly. (I don't like to worry.)

I've seen posts (elsewhere on the Internet) stating that some owners' geckos were fine because there was no noticeable reduction in tail size. Is it totally fine for them to utilize some of their fat reserves, since that's how they survive in the wild? Or do we believe that captive-bred geckos are different? (Warning: Science Content)

 

[Kimjorg]

I'm not sure why it would vary between wild animals and animals in captivity as long as you are providing plenty of the right things I totally think its fine and that you wouldnt have to worry

 

[Ccrashca069]

Don't take all things you read on the internet for granted. Also the information is only as reliable as the person posting it.

 

[blightedchemist]

And id say you cant get more reliable than the fine group of people here! in my experiences ive left them for at most 3 days and they were fine, obviously fully fed and watered before i left, and replenished when i returned but they have been fine. however in a few months ill be gone from my lizards and frogs for two weeks, ive got people here to help take care of them, but personally i dont trust them to take care of them as i would. especially with the new frogs which are higher maintenance.

 

[david13]

how do you guys keep water in the dish for a week? mine evaportaes after
3-4 days? thanks

 

[blightedchemist]

what i would get for long term watering is one of those dishes thats got the bottle that sits above/in it with the vent thing to let it flow the lower bowl, you know what i mean? awful description right?

 

[Amber7399]

what i would get for long term watering is one of those dishes thats got the bottle that sits above/in it with the vent thing to let it flow the lower bowl, you know what i mean? awful description right?

I think you had something like this in mind
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753957

 

[blightedchemist]

Haha yeah! thats it. I think i did a pretty good job at describing it didnt i? <.< >.> Yeah with that thing youre golden for a while id say.

 

[Amber7399]

yea it was a pretty good description. i got the general idea anyway...

and Good luck Anthony! hey i was little mss worry wart.when i was gone for a weekend. when i only had fish, to worry about.

 

[Kimjorg]

Don't take all things you read on the internet for granted. Also the information is only as reliable as the person posting it.

HUH???

 

[paulnattress]

I've left my geckos for 2-3 nights before, just made sure that they had been fed the night before and left some mealies in a bowl for them. The water was low when I got back (but not empty) so I wouldn't leave them longer than that without one of those water bottles that someone posted a link to.

The only concern I'd have is if they shed whilst I was away and the moist hut had dried out a little. Any tips on how to solve that one would be appreciated.

If I was leaving them for a week or two weeks, I'd definitely get someone to come over and feed them and check temps and moist hut moistness. Even if it's someone with little or no gecko experience then it shouldn't be too hard for them to pop a few mealies into a bowl (crickets may be too much for some of my friends!) and spray the moist hut a couple of times.

 

[david13]

ooooooo