He wont stop eating!

[lecko167]

I have been told to feed my juvenile leopard as much as he wants. I was limiting him to 4 small crickets a day but he would wait and look for more so I moved up to medium sized crickets. He's still eating 4-6 a day and looking for more! I gave him a pinky, not a whole one just the head, it was the tiniest pinky. Is this ok? It was frozen so I thawed it out in the bag in warm water (after I decapitated it) and as soon as it hit the bottom of the tank he jumped on it and gulped it down. He's not picky at all! He'll eat dead crickets even. His tail is fat and he shed perfectly. Should I keep feeding him as much as I am now? Even after the pinky head he wanted more!

 

[rchase54]

He'll keep eating until he eventually eats too much and regurgitates his food. After that, he should learn his lesson. As far as I know, the only way this could be a problem is if you're using a substrate that could get into his digestive tract. Because he's eating so much, there's an increased chance of impaction.

Also, you could just regulate his eating. Just because he WANTS more, it doesn't mean he NEEDS more. As long as you feed him enough to grow and keep healthy, he doesn't need an endless supply of crickets.

 

[Wowoklol]

What Leo Wants, Leo Gets. Got it?

 

[lecko167]

He's on paper towels so there's no risk of impaction thankfully.

 

[rchase54]

He's on paper towels so there's no risk of impaction thankfully.

Then just give it what it wants. If you feel its too much, just limit him to 4 or so a day. That's more than enough to sustain him. But if you want him to have a big, beautiful healthy tail, just feed it until its had enough. Mine used to be able to eat almost 8 crickets a day, but now her limit is just 4

 

[lecko167]

Then just give it what it wants. If you feel its too much, just limit him to 4 or so a day. That's more than enough to sustain him. But if you want him to have a big, beautiful healthy tail, just feed it until its had enough. Mine used to be able to eat almost 8 crickets a day, but now her limit is just 4

ok thanks! He's already got a big tail, he's about to shed and has spent all day in his humid hide.

 

[Jade Icing]

As long as he isn't getting sick I wouldn't worry. My girl is sick right now and the fact that she is a healthy eater she has weight to spare. (As a side note she is being treated by a vet.)

 

[SDCowboy]

Mine is a pretty heavy eater also but she likes to eat in smaller batches. She likes to have two large crickets in the morning, another one or two large ones at night and if I'm home, one or two during the day. She's an all day eater. :main_laugh:

 

[Kat&Rin]

Rin used to chow down on a good ten mealworms in one sitting (total pig) AND come back for more later. She doesn't eat so ridiculously now and still has a healthy weight so I wouldn't worry much. I'm pretty sure I read that its almost impossible to overfeed a leo, so as long as he looks healthy its all good

 

[lecko167]

New problem- He's acting funny! He's spent all day today and part of yesterday under the paper towels and right on top of the UTH.. the temp is the same. I figure he wants more warmth. He's even ditching his humid hide for it. He is clearly about to shed, is this a common behavior before shedding? I moved him once but he crawled back under them when I left.