New owner

[cactusevan]

Hi guys,

I've bought a leo gecko a few days ago, but I am rather unsure if its eating, that's probably my main concern.

When I first got it, I bought a box of crickets at a pet store and waited a day before trying to feed. At first, I just put 3 - 4 crickets into the cage and left it like that. After observing for a while, the gecko did not touch them or anything so instead I started waving the crickets in front of them with a pair of tweezers. (probably a bad idea). I think 1 or 2 died in the cage which I cleaned up, and not sure if the other ones escaped or got eaten.

Then, I got mealworms instead because of the smell of crickets. I bought a mealworm dish which apparently prevents escaping but not really. (had worms moving around!) and I have placed some veggies in the dish. I noticed that the number of worms have gone down but unsure if the worms have dug into the calci-sand that I use. One of my bigger concern is that, would the gecko know where to find the worms? And if so, would it be okay if I leave like a dozen or more in, so that I don't necessarily have to feed it everyday?

Thanks

 

[getgeckos]

A gecko can definitely eat 12 or more mealworms in a day. You can leave mealworms in the dish overnight no problems. How old is your gecko? If your is an adult and of a healthy weight it may not need fed everyday.
One tip, Calcisand isn't a great option as a substrate. Look up on some care sheets and get some ideas. Slate tile would give you good heat distribution and look nice as well

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[arianne]

I strongly recommend removing the calcium sand. Tile looks nice and is safe to use.

 

[cactusevan]

Cheers for the replies. I am aware of the calcisand situation, but that's right after I've put it in. I am hoping to let the calcisand stay for a little bit so I don't scare the wee gecko by changing its enviornment again. Any thoughts?

 

[mudskipper]

Calcisand is worse than scaring the gecko. Especially since you have food running around and in it. I would remove it immediately.

As for the mealworm dish, just get a deeper dish. An inch deep is enough to keep them in unless you really pile them up or add veggies in there. Exo Terra sells meal worm dishes that work really well. They come in 2 sizes. Get the bigger one. My local Petsmart sells it, but it's cheaper online.

 

[cactusevan]

Aye, I changed the calcisand not long ago and replaced it with carpet, the only substrate that's being sold here apart from calcisand and desert sand.

I noticed a new problem though, I've put some mealworms in (about 15 or so) the mealworm dish, the Exo Terra one that's been mentioned. The leo ain't having any. When the gecko finally came out of its hide, I placed a few in front of her and she ate them all. Is this a case of the gecko needing to learn to eat from a dish?

 

[DrCarrotTail]

It took mine about a week to start eating. Not sure if she had to figure out the bowl situation or got hungry enough to go on a hunting expedition. Either way she gets it now!

Yours might just not be hungry enough to go hunting but willing to chow down if there's no effort involved. I wouldn't worry too much just yet

How old is she? Can we see a picture? Pretty please?!

 

[katie_]

Ugh, calcisand is a bigger concern than stress

 

[cactusevan]

It took mine about a week to start eating. Not sure if she had to figure out the bowl situation or got hungry enough to go on a hunting expedition. Either way she gets it now!

Yours might just not be hungry enough to go hunting but willing to chow down if there's no effort involved. I wouldn't worry too much just yet

How old is she? Can we see a picture? Pretty please?!

Would've given you a better picture but shes constantly in the hide! haha, and the fact that I took the picture with my crappy phone.

I think she's still a baby considering the pet shop can't really tell her gender and according to them, they don't really get any males in.