Optimus being picky?

[kindallp]

Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone could help me out... I'll explain the situation and you give the feed back.:main_thumbsup:
I recently got optimus (last Wednesday 8/12/09) His enclosure is in my room. He's got the proper set up. Enough hides, paper towel substrate, good temps, etc. He's still pretty shy in general... doesn't LOVE to prance around his tank while I'm around. I HAVE seen him eat. Even the first night I had him. So I know he is eating. And he has pooped. But it seems like it's VERY hard to get him to feed well. The past couple of days... he just hasn't seemed interested in anything. Crickets nor mealies. I've given him the choice of both. He shows no interest what so ever. He sees crickets go by, acts like he may go for them, but just sits there. Any logic or thoughts on this? Is he just SO shy that its taking him time to really want to eat and be out of his hide if i'm around? Should I drape something in front of the tank so he can not see me? I don't know guys, any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance
Kindall & O.P.

 

[ajveachster]

It does sound like he is just being shy. Keep offering food. He will probably start eating regularly within the next week or so. I wouldn't worry unless you see a drastic change in weight or movements (lethargic, trouble with limbs etc...).

 

[Gonser]

Here's a method I use on leos like this....

Start out by removing the jumping legs and one of the front legs of some smaller crickets. Put those in a small shallow clear dish like a glass petri dish. He may take them right away.....some younger leos are afraid of the frantic jumping of crickets, so delegging works great so they can eat them out of a dish easily. If he still doesn't take them, offer them to him on toungs at the entrance to his hide. This works 99% of the time. Do this for a few days until he starts eating de-legged crickets from the dish on his own. Get him nice and fat and used to eating. Then transition him over to SMALL superworms. They may not eat those for a few days but eventually they will get hungry and start on superworms. Then use those and mealies as your staples and offer de-legged crickets now and then for variety.

Good luck.

 

[greedo11]

I dont know if you have already tried this, but my leo Greedo only really likes locusts, they are brighter coloured than the crickets and mealworms so they stand out a bit more and may grab Optimus's attention.
Also they dont burrow like crickets so less work for Optimus.
A red bulb can also help, doesnt have to be infra red or anything just a red bulb. this is cos they cant see red light, so will give Optimus the impression its dark, while you can still watch. This may help with seeing the food (less bright lights) and make him feel more secure if shy.
Im no expert, only had one gecko, but these both worked for Greedo.

Cool name by the way!

 

[shadowdragon619]

when i got my baby leo, for about the first week, he wouldnt eat the crickets in his cage til the lights were out and i was asleep. There are still times where he refuses to eat in front of me, so i just leave the crickets in his cage overnight, and take out any (there's usually not any left) that he didnt eat.

my leo is very shy, and yours sounds like mine.