Getting worried, should I be?

[liamandnorma]

It's been a week since Norma's rehousing. She still won't leave her humid hide during the last 5 days. She left it to shed 2 days ago and got straight back in.

Last night because I just wanted to see if she was ok I opened her humid hide and offered her a mealworm which she snapped up, then ate 5 more. She got out of the hide and into the dry one on the warm side immediately. When I put the lid back on her humid hide and left the room she was in there by the time I returned.

She didn't do it in her 10 gallon but now in a 25 (or more) gallon she just won't leave the humid hide. I'm a bit of a worrier I suppose but its just a bit sad that she's not wandering around and looking out with curiosity, she's literally just in there all day and all night. She used to be active every evening and most days at least for a little bit.

Is there anything I can do?

 

[liamandnorma]

By the way its about 31-33 celcius on the warm side, that doesn't seem a problem. She has eaten some things (like above), but only when offered to her.

I'm just not sure what to do now

 

[Russellm0704]

Is it a new hide? Sometimes they just pick a hide they feel most secure in and always prefer it. A lot of my geckos choose the humid hide because it is like a cave and makes them feel secure.

 

[liamandnorma]

Do they come out though and wander about still? I never see her anymore. Also does it ever cause any health problems if they always use the humid hide?

 

[meaghani]

Do they come out though and wander about still? I never see her anymore. Also does it ever cause any health problems if they always use the humid hide?

I've read that high humidity can cause respiratory problems. Just watch her and make sure she isn't exhibiting any breathing problems.

Do you live in a really dry place? This is just my abstract thinking but perhaps the 10 gallon trapped the humidity a little better and when you moved to the 20 gallon, it became too airy. They shouldn't have a lot of humidity in their tanks, like I said, but the humidity should be around 40% still, if I'm not mistaken.

Someone in a post I was reading the other day put in a second water dish and that fixed their humidity problem right away.

 

[OnlineGeckos]

She could still be in the adjustment period, where she's a bit scared and stressed from the move. Some geckos don't take changes very kindly. Also take a look at your setup and see if you can put things in a way that she's more used to. If you had her old hides and old decorations, put them in the tank so she smells her scent. It may help to get her to get used to the new environment better.

Anytime you make changes especially when moving them from one tank to a totally new tank, it could cause them stress. Depending on the gecko, some geckos get used to a new tank right away, some others will hide and shy away for awhile.

If she's eating now, continue feeding her the same way until she's comfortable enough to come out. The fact that she ate is a good sign, so I'd say leave her alone and continue feeding her and just be patient.

 

[liamandnorma]

Ok thanks for the advice. Would you say it would be better to leave her food the the bowl or to actually open her hide and entice her out like I did before? Like I say she was quite happy to eat mealworms when I put them in front of her face! Ha. She just won't come out to try and find them of her own accord.

Thanks again