Leo isnt eating since I bought it a few weeks ago

[AuthenticGinger]

So a week ago when I tried to feed my leo, it seemed extremely interested in movement. It went into predator mode after a cricket, then killed it but didnt eat it. More like just squished it half to death and then lost interest. Then it tasted the meal worm then the same thing - lost interest then gave up. I tried but no dice. Since I bought it two days ago, I hadn't seen any evidence of it eating.

And yesterday I got it to eat a cricket, but only one. And I leave mealworms in the cage 24/7 but they just crawl out and worm around the cage. Regardless, my leo doesnt seem to be eating any of them. Although it has been leaving feces in the cool hide... so if it craps, it eats, right? I have been worried that im going to lose him . How do I get it to start eating?

I have a cool hide, a humid hide, a warm hide, water, mealworms 24/7, try to feed him crickets weekly, an under tank heater, paper towel for a substrate, and the warm side remains just under 90 and the cool side being about 10 degrees less. I also added pure calcium to the cage in a cap for it to eat. it does have d3 in it, but that'll be changed as soon as my order comes through on some rep cal calcium without d3. im really worried and just want it to be happy, nourished, and healthy. I read similar topics to my problem, and it just seems like the other people didnt do their research and are not granting their gecko proper care. this makes me feel bad about my animal care skills. thank you

also, i bought it from ***** EDIT: a petstore chain...

 

[Jordan]

im confused as to when you ogot the gecko. the title says a few weeks ago, then you start with 'so a week ago..' then later on you say, i bought it two days ago lol.

anyway , im not sure what to say. just take the mealworms out, then put a bowl in of a specific number, like 10. then check in a few days how many are gone. And make sure you use a bowl that they cant climb out of.

 

[AuthenticGinger]

Sorry about that, I chopped that together from an old post and an update last night at 4 after I got off work.

I bought it 15 days ago, and I did try that but they all crawl out of the bowl and I think he ate them and then I find them when I clean out the tank later.

 

[Jordan]

maybe assist feed him one, so he tastes it then he might want more.

to assist feed them you hold them firmly, and sort of tap on the sides of his jaw while sort fo pulling down (but not PULLING as such, just sort of a soft drag downwards while tapping) and they should open their mouths, then just pop a mealie in.

 

[gothra]

How old is your gecko? Adults tend to take longer to settle in and resume eating. Its a good thing that he is reactive to movement and ate one cricket already, to me, this is a sign that he'll start eating soon. I will turn up the heat a bit to around 93-95F. Since he has eaten 1 cricket already, I don't think assist-feeding is necessary. The process will be stressful to your new gecko that is probably not eating due to stress at the moment.

You might also need to get a taller bowl so the feeders can't escape.

 

[Jordan]

How old is your gecko? Adults tend to take longer to settle in and resume eating. Its a good thing that he is reactive to movement and ate one cricket already, to me, this is a sign that he'll start eating soon. I will turn up the heat a bit to around 93-95F. Since he has eaten 1 cricket already, I don't think assist-feeding is necessary. The process will be stressful to your new gecko that is probably not eating due to stress at the moment.

You might also need to get a taller bowl so the feeders can't escape.

yes, much better advice.

take this advice. lol

 

[AuthenticGinger]

yes, much better advice.

take this advice. lol

Ok, thanks to everyone that gave me advice! I will be following it!

EDIT: Its a juvenile of about a "few months" (is this why you don't buy pets from pet store chains? hahaha)

 

[gothra]

Has your gecko eaten anything else since the last cricket? If its only a few months old, should be able to adapt pretty quickly. Are you measuring the temps on the floor? Does he still look at the prey items and attempt to eat them?