Is my Gecko sick?

[turtle4]

okay, my leopard gecko is totally awesome. for the past few days, she won't go under her log like she usually does. I went to play with her today and she was nowhere to be found. I checked the whole tank. Finally, i found her..she had dug a hole and climbed beneath her water bowl where it is not very warm and, because this is the first time i have ever seen this, I was shocked.

I took her out and moved her, but an hour later, she was back under her waterbowl again. What is happening to her?! Should I bring her to the vet?

 

[bjleemkuil]

She probably just likes it under there! What are your temps? Do you have a UTH for her?

 

[turtle4]

I don't have a thermometer in there but i currently have a 75 watt infrared heat lamp on her..I've had her since she was a baby and now shes almost 2 years old and she has never done this before.

 

[bjleemkuil]

You probably should get a probed thermometer for her tank (I was actually just looking at one of these at wal-mart like 10 mins ago for $12). Temperatures are VERY important for these little guys and belly heat is essential. According to Ron Tremper's book, 40 w should be the MAX wattage in a leos tank. It's really more important that they have belly heat from a UTH. They don't need the overhead light, even though that is nice to see them. It could be too hot on the other side for her. What size tank do you have her in?

 

[turtle4]

She's in a 10 gallon tank. i use the same wattage on her tank always..she's just hiding under her freezing cold water bowl every time i put her back into her tank..I have the light on one side like always and nothing about her external situation has changed, so I'm worried that she might be sick!

 

[ariana]

what substrate do you have?
i noticed you said she DUG a hole...

 

[turtle4]

I have sand, and I know that it's not good, but when I had normal woodchips, she couldn't find her crickets ! I'm afraid she might be impacted or something

 

[Shera]

I would start by fixing her set-up. You need to get an under-tank heater and a thermometer with a probe. If you think she might be impacted, get her off the sand right away. I use papertowel, it's easy and safe.