Self inflicted winter fasting?

hystericfreak

New Member
Messages
3
Location
Bristol
Hi all!

I've had my juvinile gecko Dizzy since the middle of November, and he's about 5 or 6 months old now. He's never been a massive eater, but I've noticed he's been eating significantly less since December. He's eaten nothing for a couple of weeks now (except for calcium powder), and although I've managed to get him to eat one or two mealworms a night by dropping them on the floor in front of him, he's not showing a lot of interest in food - I've tried dubia roaches, mealworms, wax worms and crickets. He also seems to spend the vast majority of his time in the moist hide on the cool side of the tank.

Here are a couple of vague-ish shots of him - I don't want to stress him out since he is a pretty suspicious/cautious little guy, so my photos tend to look like amatuer ufo pictures:

WP_20160112_004.jpg WP_20160118_001.jpg WP_20160118_004.jpg

His tail looks to be pretty okay fatness wise, however I don't think he's really grown since I got him. While I know that a lot of geckos will stop eating for periods of time, I want to make sure that he is looking healthy and see if there's something I can do that might help his appetite. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! :)
 

scm133

GULFCOASTGECKOS
Messages
1,285
Location
Alabama
Winter time does slow their eating down. I would just double check your temps to be safe. Belly temp 90-92 on warm side & 75-80 (Belly temp) on the cool side.
 

hystericfreak

New Member
Messages
3
Location
Bristol
Winter time does slow their eating down. I would just double check your temps to be safe. Belly temp 90-92 on warm side & 75-80 (Belly temp) on the cool side.

Okay, thank you! I've been keeping it a stable 90-92 on the warm side, but will check the temp of the cold side both outside and inside the moist hide - I'm worried that the temp of the moist towelling in there could be bringing it a bit too low.
 

scm133

GULFCOASTGECKOS
Messages
1,285
Location
Alabama
Okay, thank you! I've been keeping it a stable 90-92 on the warm side, but will check the temp of the cold side both outside and inside the moist hide - I'm worried that the temp of the moist towelling in there could be bringing it a bit too low.
I always keep my moist hide on the warm side. :)
 

hystericfreak

New Member
Messages
3
Location
Bristol
Just an update, I've moved the moist hide to the middle of the tank and upped the heating to keep everything above 75, and it's made a massive umprovement already! His appetite has improved greatly, he's more active and he's started putting weight on. Thank you so muc for your help, scm133! I'm a relieved and happy gecko mama now. ;)
 

scm133

GULFCOASTGECKOS
Messages
1,285
Location
Alabama
Just an update, I've moved the moist hide to the middle of the tank and upped the heating to keep everything above 75, and it's made a massive umprovement already! His appetite has improved greatly, he's more active and he's started putting weight on. Thank you so muc for your help, scm133! I'm a relieved and happy gecko mama now. ;)

Great news!!!! Thanks for the update.:main_thumbsup:
 

Tongue Flicker

Hardcore Animal Lover
Messages
608
Location
Madina't Isa, Bahrain
Well from what i read among other members and other forums is that some of their leos are undergoing brumation. As for my side of the world, leos are still on their breeding/ovulating period and that usually contributes to fasting but glad to hear he's making improvements :D
 

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