Gecko not eating...

[gevavery]

Good Morning,

I'm a new proud owner of two leopard geckos. I purchased them on a whim. I didn't know anything at the time. I purchased them two weeks ago from a local Petco store. I think I have two females but don't know for sure. The person at the pet store had no idea. They are about 4-5 inches in length.

The problem is that one of them doesn't seem to eat. When I place crickets in the vivarium one come right out and starts gobbling up the crickets. The other one just sits. I did get her to eat one night by taking her out of the enclosure and placing her in a small home with some crickets. But since that time I can't get her to eat. She is definitely thiner than the more agressive one.

When I pick her up - she doesn't squirm; she just sits. When I pick up the other one she squirms a lot and is very active.

I don't have a lot of money invested but I'd hate to loose her if there is anything I can do. The two geckos spend most of their time cuddled up; one laying their head on the other one.

I've added pictures of both girls. Any help or advice will be greatly appreciated.

v/r,
Gevavery

 

[robin]

so far they look like girls. my first set of advice is sepetate then into seperate enclosures. the larger one just might be more agressive and beating her to the food. also try some mealworms too, she might like them better than crickets i would try that first. if that doesnt help i would then (while still keeping her seperated) get a stool sample to get a fecal done on her and an evaluation by a vet

 

[Franks_Geckos]

Neither gecko looks terribly thin in the photo. I agree with Robin. Separate them or one will continue to dominate the other for food. Trying mealworms would also be very good. A fecal should be done both as well, especially if one is lethargic and losing weight.

 

[PaulSage]

I replied in the other thread - http://www.geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=6250

 

[robin]

**** how many of the same thread he got up?

 

[gevavery]

Sorry, I posted to the other thread first and then noticed this section. So I copied the message here. I'm new to geckos and this thread. Sorry to cause you any stress with my cross posting.

BTW, I'm not a he; I'm she. Not that that matters.

I do thank you for all your comments. I just went out and purchased a large breeder box and have separated out the two geckos.

I now have one other question (that I'll only post here). Is a light essential? I put one of the under tank heating pads on but didn't purchase another light. The top to this new vivarium is plastic so I was a little scared to purchase a light that would get hot.

v/r,
gevavery

 

[Scott&Nikki]

You do not need a light. Bright lights stress leos out. With your UTH, you should probably get a thermostat so you can regulate the tempuerature. You want the hot spot to be about 90-92. Some people feel they cannot get high enough temps with a UTH so they supplement it with a blue, black, or red light, because leos cannot really see those colors. Other are just fine with only a UTH. If you do not use a thermostat, you should have some way of measuring the ground (not air) temps to make sure they are in the range I just mentioned.

 

[gevavery]

I'm happy to report that I witnessed my girl eating last night. She seems more active and alert. There was even poop in the cage this morning. I'm going to monitor her for a few days and then try putting her back in the house with the other leo.

v/r.
gevavery

 

[Scott&Nikki]

I'm not so sure you should put her back. You obviously fixed something by moving her...

 

[gevavery]

I'm happy to report that my girl ate last night. There was also poop in her new home this morning. I'll monitor her for a few days to make sure she is doing fine then I'll try putting her back in the other home with the other leo. But as of now she seems more alert and active.

v/r,
gevavery

 

[robin]

i agree with scott/nikki i would not move her. the separating seems to be a key role. the other gecko was most likely being dominant over the other one. i would keep them separated for a long time, at least till they get to full grown adult size

 

[PaulSage]

I agree with Robin. :main_yes:

I'm happy to report that my girl ate last night. There was also poop in her new home this morning. I'll monitor her for a few days to make sure she is doing fine then I'll try putting her back in the other home with the other leo. But as of now she seems more alert and active.

v/r,
gevavery

I think you answered your original question right here. I wouldn't advise "un-doing" what you've accomplished since now she's eating in her own enclosure.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Keep the geckos separated until they both have gone through a 90 day quarantine period and have negative fecal tests.