One year old leo eating less

[Jim081523]

Hi Everyone,

I've had Rocky for approx one year. For the first 9 months he was eating about 8 mealies per day. Then he started looking a little on the heavy side so I started feeding him 8 mealies every other day. He has been eating that much for the past few months. Now, when I put the 8 mealies in his dish there are a 3-4 left over. He still looks fat around his midsection. Am I over feeding him? Should I mix up his diet? Do Leo's need activity or do they get what they need in their enclosure? Any advice is welcome. Thank you!

Jim

 

[Ozy]

How does his tail look? Fat or skinny? When's the last time he pooped? What is your heating method and what kind of thermometer do you use to measure the temps?

 

[KTyne]

Leos slow down their eating when they age. My Leos only eat every 3rd day and that's about 7 medium Superworms. If your Leo is still active, still passing feces and urates, isn't losing weight, then I wouldn't worry.

 

[Jim081523]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the responses. Rocky's tail is plump. It's not skinny and doesn't look fat. I use an under the tank heater that is only on one side. So he has a warm hide, humid hide and cool hide. I have a thermometer on the actual floor of the tank that is always around 95-100 degrees. He goes poop and pee reguarly. He isn't losing weight. Just not eating as much as he used to.

 

[NikkiC223]

95-100 on the warm side is too hot. This might not be the cause of him not eating as much but the temps should be at least between 86-94 <--the highest. How big is your tank? Just making sure he has a proper temp gradient to back and forth too. I know that proper heating has a lot to do with behavior in Leo's. But like the others said, if he is eating, pooping, and his tail is plump he is fine. Mine who is 5 goes through spurts of not wanting to eat and then today ate 6 supers in a row like a champ! I'm sure he is fine, just monitor his temps.

 

[Phoenix1115]

I have an 8 month old that ate perfect all her life, and has only had 1 cricket in the last 2.5 months. From what I've heard, leos can be really weird about their eating and can 'go on strike' for a few months then jump right back to being garbage disposals. As long as he isn't losing weight

 

[Cesar_Da_KIng]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the responses. Rocky's tail is plump. It's not skinny and doesn't look fat. I use an under the tank heater that is only on one side. So he has a warm hide, humid hide and cool hide. I have a thermometer on the actual floor of the tank that is always around 95-100 degrees. He goes poop and pee reguarly. He isn't losing weight. Just not eating as much as he used to.

Ya, might want to drop it down to about 93, thats a little toasty but on to the eating, as leos get older they slow down eating cause they dont use as much energy and theyre not growing so they dont eat as much, kinda like old people, and keep in mind that its also winter so theyre energy levels are lower and they dont do as much. and somtimes theyre just full and they dont really want anymore what i do is just put meal worms in theyre bowls and keep an eye on how many are in there and if theyre hungry they get them, theyre animals with instincts, not babys who cant take care of themselves just give them proper conditions and theyll handle the rest

 

[Jim081523]

I have an under the tank heater. How do you regulate the heat? It doesn't have a thermostat. The tank is the standard 20 gallon tank sold in the pet stores. Rocky seems fine. His tail is plump, he is going #2.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

I have an under the tank heater. How do you regulate the heat? It doesn't have a thermostat. The tank is the standard 20 gallon tank sold in the pet stores. Rocky seems fine. His tail is plump, he is going #2.

The thermostat I see most often recommended is this: Amazon.com: Hydrofarm MTPRTC Digital Thermostat For Heat Mats: Patio, Lawn & Garden

~Maggot

 

[Cesar_Da_KIng]

a much cheaper option i have used for years that works just as good is a lamp dimmer you can find at any lowes or home depo, simply plug the heat pad into the dimmer and place the thermometer over the heat pad and adjust it with the dial as needed. saves on electricity and after a few days of practice adjusting it and getting it just right you wont hardly ever have to touch it, and unlike a thermostat it only cost $5

 

[Cesar_Da_KIng]

and btw embrace calamity i love your signature