How to transition from tweezer to bowl feeding?

[CaliforniaPlaya]

When I first got my leos, I got into the bad habit of feeding them worms with tweezers. I've since made a couple of attempts to get them to start eating out of a bowl, but it just doesn't work. First time, they just wouldn't eat. I had to literally take the bowl and put it right in their face for them to eat out of it. As soon as I put it down, they acted like it wasn't even there. I left it in the tank for three days and changed out the worms, but they'd just walk right through it like it was another rock. I went back to tweezers after three days and they ate a lot, so they definitely were hungry.

Second attempt, and one of the females would continually kick up some of the smaller rocks that are in the tank into the bowl until the worms were completely buried. I took the rocks out of the bowl and she would immediately do the same thing again - obviously worms don't do any good if they're buried under rocks. Of course I could take the rocks out, but I'd like not to do this, and besides, that doesn't guarantee they will eat out of the bowl.

Anyone have any tips for transitioning from tweezer to bowl feeding?

Thanks!!!

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Don't leave any food for them for a few days, then try again when they're hungrier. If you give in and hand feed, they'll continue to hold out for you. A few of mine are spoiled and I hand feed, but most eat from a dish.

 

[grboxa]

agree with laney. my male never used to eat from a bowl until I stopped feeding for 3 days, the 3rd night he was out and about and ate from it. now its no problem .

 

[CaliforniaPlaya]

I "give in" because I don't want them going hungry. They almost act like they don't understand the concept of a bowl by walking around it and through it and not paying any attention to the worms unless the bowl is placed in their face. Guess I'll keep trying until they figure it out.

 

[grboxa]

Completely understandable , keep trying you wont starve them to death dont worry. Mabye try a smaller bowl?. Keep trying, remember its good for them to 'hunt', it creates mental stimulation, exercise and you get to see them more often at night. If the food is brought to them they have no reason to expose themselves to 'danger' so they hide. I spoiled my bell with feeding to, the worms came right to her and she always stayed hidden.

 

[lillith]

I've had to transition from handfeeding to bowlfeeding before.
Sometimes, for the first few attempts, holding a bowl at an angle so they see the worms wriggling is a step you need to take. They have to associate the bowl with the food.

The current association is hand=food. Now it will be hand+bowl=food, and eventually it can be bowl=food. As far as "concepts" go, associations are about as good as it gets for leos, so, "act[ing] like they don't understand the concept of a bowl"?

They don't!

 

[fl_orchidslave]

My food bowls are clear or opaque glass so the geckos see worms moving in them.

 

[madrv]

Bowl feeding a geck? common I see why obesity is on the rise. Where is the thrill?

 

[Jenn_tigercat]

I have a female that was hand fed with her previous owner. It was a long drawn out process to get her to eat from a bowl. First I got a wide shallow dish (cat dish). I would make her come to the bowl and then tong the mealworms into the bowl. Did that for a month then started putting the bowl in there with the mealies already in it. For a couple of days she wouldn't eat, but then finally went to the bowl. Now she eats from a bowl no problem.

 

[Dog Shrink]

If you only hav a couple leos what's the big deal about hand feeding them? I just don't get it... its a way to bond with and enjoy your leo. Imo feeding from a bowl is simply laziness unless your a large scale breeder with many many animals. It takes me 5 minutes to hand feed my leo and i love watching him get to use his natural intincts. Movement triggers prey drive and food cant/doesn't move enough in a dish to draw their attention esp. If its a previously hand fed animal.

If you're still interested in bowl feeding try dropping feeders into a shallow dish like a ceramic soap dish that they can climb into and snag the food. I like the soap dishes because they come in many clors, hard for food to escape, and provide room for food to move around. Good luck.

 

[Joao]

Feeding from a bowl is laziness? Ahahah ... It's kewl that you beleive in hand feeding your Leo, but some of us don't and it has nothing to do with laziness.

 

[Kotori]

My gecko doesn't let me hand feed him. he runs away and attacks my fingers instead of the mealworms. Not to mention he takes so long to eat them...Timed him once, takes him 30 minutes to eat 5 mealworms. I have to stand there an move them closer to him, nd he just watches them running away... Bowl system means it only takes 5 minutes to feed him, and no gecko bites =D.

 

[scm133]

I stimulate mine with crickets & roaches, but want them all to also eat mealies from bowl. I have a great pet sitter when I am out of town, but she is not into crickets, roaches or hand feeding 11 geckos. However, refilling the mealies bowl, checking the water, and cleaning up poop is no problem for her.