Overly affectionate leo not eating?

[RFS]

Okay, so my male, Feilim, has been SUPER-affectionate before he was even completely hand tamed. As he has gotten older, (he is maybe about 9 months or so), he has become even more affectionate and needy.

He will climb up to the top of his rocks and literally reach for me when I walk by. It's adorable, but now, when I put food down for him, (like a superworms) he will be interested for a second, then apparently catch my smell and start his whole "hold me, love me" routine.

I've tried wearing powder-free latex gloves, I've tried just putting food in his dish (he'll pick at it), and I've tried hand feeding. He just seems more interested in being handled and roaming around outside his cage than anything else.

He is in a 10-gallon tank by himself, about 7-inches long, has a nice fat tail, and is still having bowel movements everyday to every 2 days like normal.

Maybe I am just freaking out because I am new to geckos, and I'm used to the baby "eat-everything-in-the-house" attitude? Maybe he needs a larger tank to give him more room to roam and be active? Advice? Suggestions? Help? I just want to make sure he stays healthy! Thanks in advance!

 

[fl_orchidslave]

At that age, they usually don't require daily feeding. He's not a fast growing juvenile anymore. You might have a better feeding response with an every other day schedule.

 

[RFS]

I do that for the most part, but still he won't eat sometimes. I'm an animal nut (2 cats, a dog, 2 leos, 1 Moorish gecko, and a fish), and I just don't want his affection (as much as I love him) to become a behavioral issue that could affect his eating/health. Is that even possible in geckos?

 

[Alusdra]

I wouldn't worry about it. As long as his tail is nice and fat, he's probably just not hungry. Enjoy your affectionate gecko!

 

[houseb]

I am SO glad someone posted this, I've had the same problem with my gecko. She is about 6.5 inches and is housed in a 10 gal tank (working on a new 55 gal for her though). I've been feeding her every night, but she's only eating about half of what she used to. Any time my hubby or I put our hands in the tank, she runs over and climbs on; even if we have food in our hands. She hasn't lost any weight, still poops daily, is bright and alert. But I've only had her for about 2 1/2 months (not sure how old she was when I got her). When do I start feeding her every other day?

This is a pic of her begging to come out:

 

[roger]

I am SO glad someone posted this, I've had the same problem with my gecko. She is about 6.5 inches and is housed in a 10 gal tank (working on a new 55 gal for her though). I've been feeding her every night, but she's only eating about half of what she used to. Any time my hubby or I put our hands in the tank, she runs over and climbs on; even if we have food in our hands. She hasn't lost any weight, still poops daily, is bright and alert. But I've only had her for about 2 1/2 months (not sure how old she was when I got her). When do I start feeding her every other day?

This is a pic of her begging to come out:

Your leo is not begging to come out.He climbs the corners as a natural instinct.I dont know why they do it.Make sure your warm end temps are between 88-95 deg

 

[tlbowling]

Your leo is not begging to come out.He climbs the corners as a natural instinct.I dont know why they do it.Make sure your warm end temps are between 88-95 deg

You just have to go and ruin it for everyone dont you LOL

Whats next? No Santa Claus, No Easter Bunny?

 

[houseb]

Your leo is not begging to come out.He climbs the corners as a natural instinct.I dont know why they do it.Make sure your warm end temps are between 88-95 deg

Hmm funny, maybe she just ALWAYS wants out then cuz the minute we put our hands in when she's in that corner, she runs up to our hands and stares at us until we lift her up. That's the cool side though.