Not gaining weight

[RCPgecko]

We got an 8 week old leopard gecko shortly before Christmas. When we got him, he was 6 grams. He is now 10 weeks old and still just 6 grams.

He eats mealworms and crickets. He has calcium powder available at all times as well as water. He will eat sometimes 5 small crickets at once or he eats one or 2, skips a few days and then eats 5. He prefers crickets over mealworms but we are trying to alternate with him. (And him is arbitrary, we can't tell gender yet)

We weigh him each week to keep track of his progress. We use a scale that weighs in grams and we tare it each time.

Since we got him, Cinnamon has not gained any weight. He is eating fine, seems to be drinking fine, eliminates, is active, bright eyed, has shed once so far. If I was not weighing him, nothing he does would give me cause for concern.

He has an undertank heating pad, the humidity and temperature in his tank are where they should be. He hangs out on the warmer side quite a bit but we also see him hang out over on the cooler side sometimes.

I just am not sure if this is normal or something to be concerned over. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

 

[B&B Geckos]

Imo people should not be selling geckos below 15 grams, especially if they're difficult feeders, for they often go on hunger strikes while acclimating. First, make absolutely sure that your temperature is suitable (86-92F). Leos at this age are usually voracious and don't go days without eating. What's your heat source and how are you measuring the temp? If you rule out the temp as the potential cause, then parasites are a possibility. You may have to take it for a fecal exam. Best.

 

[DrCarrotTail]

I agree that under 15g is far too small to be safe to sell. The stress of moving and acclimating to a new home requires a baby to have some reserve to fall back on and bitty ones don't tend to have enough of one. The lack of weight gain you're seeing may be because of the massive dose of stress he had moving. If he's eating and acting normally and you're sure your setup and temps are spot on I wouldn't worry. Give him a bit more time to settle in and start to grow, two weeks isn't a really long time for a reptile

 

[RCPgecko]

I appreciate the responses. I double checked the heat and humidity, it is right where it should be.

He has started to eat his meal worms in addition to crickets. He is still behaving normally, being active, and alternating between his warm and cool side. We have seen him eating calcium, drinking water and sleeping. He is also eliminating fine so I am going to put his lack of weight gain down to stress. Hopefully, he will acclimate soon and start to gain weight. Since this is my daughter's first leo (and mine), we just want to be sure we are doing everything possible for him to grow and thrive.


He was purchased at a reptile expo and there were many leos being sold, from various people, all about the same size. I had not seen anything in my research prior to going that said I should not get a leo under 15g or that is what we would have looked for. As it was, there were some that were smaller than he was as well as larger. Good information for the future if a second leo is ever considered (which, at this point, DH has said no second leo will be coming home. Having said that, I have an 8 yr old who would like HIS own leo in the near future - again, his but ultimately I make sure any living critter is taken care of ).