Leo acting strange

[dtomasetti]

We gave my very responsible daughter a Leo for her b'day a few months ago. The first week she didn't eat or poop. After that, she starting eating 3-6 small crickets a day. About 5 days ago she had a MAJOR poop that was about an inch big. We were shocked (BTW the gecko is only about 6 months old according to the petstore, so she's still pretty small). Now she seems pretty lethargic, is not eating and is mostly just laying on top of the container of moist moss that we have in her tank. It makes me wonder if she's hot and trying to keep cool (?). We have a 75 Watt bulb on one side of her tank (keeping that part about 90 degrees). We put this on during the day. At night we turn that light off and turn on the blue light that petsmart told us to get on the other side of the tank, making that side of her tank about 80-85 degrees. Its very confusing since I read and hear different things about how to set up the tank (one petsmart employee even said the heat should be about 105 degrees which doesn't seem right. Any suggestions for our poor baby?

 

[GeckoDude31]

Welcome! Temps on the warm side should range from 88 to 95. This is what most people on here have theirs at. I'm thinking she is too hot and trying to find a cooler spot, which in turn, could be stressing her out. What is your main heat source?

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Get an under tank heat mat and digital probe thermometer to monitor warm side temps. It should be in the low to mid 90's all the time. The light does not give the necessary belly heat leos need for proper digestion. No lights are needed except if temps get too cold in the winter, then just to supplement the heat mat.

 

[PaladinGirl]

Get rid of the lights, leos don't need them. Leos are nocturnal and absorb heat through their bellies. And I wouldn't ever listen to advice from pet store employees, they usually know very little.

 

[LZRDGRL]

What you think was a "large poop" could have been regurgitated shed which can be an inch long! Most of the time, that's nothing to worry about. When they are shedding, leos may stop eating for a day or two. I would just observe her. If it does happen more often, it is a reason for concern; otherwise, she's probably fine.

Chrissy

 

[sausage]

Leopard geckos are crepuscular not nocturnal.
But apart from that I agree a belly heat source is needed no lights. Once this is in place and said gecko can thermoregulate correctly you will be able to keep a better eye on what its eating and passing through correctly.

 

[dtomasetti]

Gigi (Gecko Girl) is looking better

thanks for the advice everyone. Its frustrating about the petstore. They've all talked about the lights that I need, when it sounds like I really don't. I turned off the over head lights and turned on the under the tank heating pad. She's come off the moss and is moving around. I may have been cooking the poor girl. I'll come here more often for advice - not Petsmart.

 

[sausage]

your welcome! just glad we could all help. collective advice is always better that a single point of view that way you can see trends on what works best and even chop and choose what you like too

 

[PaladinGirl]

Leopard geckos are crepuscular not nocturnal.
But apart from that I agree a belly heat source is needed no lights. Once this is in place and said gecko can thermoregulate correctly you will be able to keep a better eye on what its eating and passing through correctly.

Sorry my bad. I did read that somewhere recently. Is there anything we do for that? Or is providing the supplements enough?