Not happy(please help)

[Fitto55]

My gecko is not happy, i can tell. He never wants to come out and always runs away. He has never bitten yet, but he still runs. He only Eats like, 1 mealworm a week, and im worried. He is only about a month old and ive had him for about 2 weeks. I don't think he's sick but i would like some ideas on how to help him. Thank you.

 

[Scott&Nikki]

Well, first of all, the majority of them do not really like to come out. They are nocturnal, so chances are you won't even see him during the day. Sometimes it takes a while for leos to calm down after being in a new home. You have to make sure your temps are ok and he has enough places where he can hide and not be bothered. My leo doesn't come to me, even though some have been known to. Right now I am kinda in a "training" process with her. You just have to give it time. Try feeding him crickets if he isn't eating mealworms.

 

[Fitto55]

oo actually i meant to say cricket a week he doesnt eat the mealworms. BUt like my old one was so happy and this one always is kinda grumpy

 

[Scott&Nikki]

Well, they are all different. As long as everything inside the tank is good, I wouldnt worry about his "mood". Try tweezer, or hand feeding some mealworms. It is possible he doesn't even realize that they are food and you need to get him to see them moving. Also, remember to take out any uneaten crickets or that may be upsetting him. Can you get a picture of your tank?

 

[Fitto55]

ya hold on heres a couple to show the whole thing

 

[Fitto55]

its a ten gallon

 

[Fitto55]

and that weird thing is a badly made moist hise(im getting fake moss stuff for it)

 

[Val]

You may want to try switching out her substrate to something a little easier. I'd be worried about him ingesting a piece of it, the substrate possibly harboring bacteria, and also how well it holds heat. It's probably a little hard for him to catch crickets when she could easily be grabbing pieces of that or they could be burrowing into the substrate. Paper towels work great for them and they're really easy to clean, and if you're looking for something a little more natural for them slate tiles look really nice and are insanely simple to keep clean. I think you can get a box at Home Depot for around $5.

How are you measuring your temps and what is it heated with? Either a digital thermometer with a probe or a temp gun is going to be the most accurate, just lay or point it directly at the substrate temps since belly heat is the most important thing for them. Without that being correct, they can't digest their food properly.

Just keep in mind that he is not "grumpy", he is simply scared. He's in a new home, and he's very small and you are very big so until he gets used to everything he's going to see you as a threat. When he's securely in his hide, try taking a pair of tweezers and grab a cricket/mealworm and stick it into his hide and see if he'll take it.

 

[Fitto55]

okay but do u see that treasure chest. Im trying to teach him that if hes in there, i wont touch him. That way when hes scared ill know because hll go there instead of running away from me

 

[Val]

I do see it, but you can't train a gecko. The most training they get is learning what a food bowl and calcium bowl is and knowing they have a specific spot where they poop and sometimes they don't even get that right.

Geckos as young as yours typically fly through food, so my guess would be something in the tank isn't right causing him not to eat. Like I said above, I'd put him on paper towels or something solid, make sure your UTH is giving him a hot spot of around 90* to 93* which is measured with a reliable thermometer (not the round ones or the stick on ones) directly above the UTH. If both of those are good and he still won't eat, then you may want to consult a vet for a fecal exam to rule out parasites as a possible problem.

 

[Fitto55]

Yea. That's what I'm scared of. Ive only had him for a short time but im attached to him. :main_laugh: My friend ahs one purchased the day after mine from the same place...same age as mine...and his eats alot. Im nervous but i had sand in my cage and the pet shop guys said this was better for them cuz they could eat this if they did miss. I have that powder stuff that goes on crickets and i was hoping that would make them stand out. Thhey get that off in like 2 mins.:main_no:

 

[BluGnat]

I might be way off base here - but I'd also worry about how much that substrate could swell in the belly if ingested...especially if water is ingested.

 

[Fitto55]

ya it swells up real big when it gets wet so im kidna scared..Thank you everyone for all your responses

 

[Scott&Nikki]

As Val said, you can't train him to go in there if he is scared. When he gets scared, he is going to go where he is most comfortable, which will most likely be a place where you can't see him. Matt, you need to get that substrate out of there, especially if it swells up like you said. Slate tile is a great route to go. It was a 1-time $3 fee for something that is safe, easy to clean, crickets can't hide, my leo can get better footing, looks very nice, and holds heat very well. I posted a picture of mine so you can get an idea of how it looks.

 

[ByRandom]

Also -- the gecko may be stressed out with the clear hide. It's hiding, but can still see out. You may want to cover the sides with something like black construction paper, or see if you can find a hide that isn't as opaque. Maybe a butter dish or something along those lines.

Don't worry too much. We're always here to help!

 

[StinaKSU]

see if you can find a hide that isn't as opaque

josh...opaque means you can't see through it...they want smt that is MORE opaque...lol

 

[Double LY]

Not to beat a dead horse about the substrate, but not only will the crickets burrow into it, it can also harbor bacteria since it is so absorbant. Many people use paper towel since it is so easy to clean, but I think tile is more economical in the long run. You can also boil/bake it if you ever do question it being "too dirty". Lowes has it for sale by the piece and will either cut for free or charge $.10 to $.25 to cut it. Change out your substrate and use something darker for the hide (we won't judge about buttertubs or tupperware - many of us use the same :main_yes: ) and you might see a less fearful leo.

 

[ByRandom]

josh...opaque means you can't see through it...they want smt that is MORE opaque...lol

.. Stina what'd I tell you about me and typing under high stress? LOL I know what it means, I just .. am stupid sometimes! ... Grrr! Lol

 

[Fitto55]

u guys look in the corner there is another hide... the clear one is just the humid hide... his real hide is the one that looks like a big rock

 

[Val]

A hide is a hide, and if it's somewhere he is going to hide, it really shouldn't be see through or else it really doesn't serve it's purpose.

How are the alterations to the tank coming? I hope your little guy starts eating soon since when they're that young they don't have fat storage to rely on.