Skinny

[pecka]

A while back I got some help on here about my two leopards. Hopefully I can get some more expert advice on them again. They were housed together when I got them and when the younger one grew up the older one began refusing to eat and losing weight. I built them separate enclosures and that seemed to be the answer. Stan never gained his weight back but he was eating pretty well. I then figured out I could not keep feeding them in their enclosures as the crickets were fining too many hiding spaces and I think stressing him out again. Soooo I feed him in a separate box he seems to eat about 2-3 times a week and hardly anything his temps are right on and when he does eat he poops fine. Shedding good just really skinny. Should I worry is there anything I can do to get him fattened up?

 

[Amanda1]

I use mealworms and dubia nymphs. You can put them in a ceramic bowl in the enclosure and leave them since they can't climb out of the bowl. It may encourage him to eat more if there is food available at all times.

 

[pecka]

Good idea I will try that thanks

 

[Josh2]

Be sure to keep us updated on how things progress. Would be great to see some photos of your geckos too! Try visiting us from your mobile browser instead of Tapatalk - it's a much better experience!

 

[pecka]

Well Stan lost 4 grams in the last 2 weeks. He mostly sleeps in his moist hide even when he isn't shedding. He she'd last week. He hardly ever eats. I offer him roaches, suuperworms. And crickets. He won't eat anything but crickets. He is a horrible hunter so I usually end up catching and feeding the crickets with the tongs. One day she will eat one or two and once in a while she will eat more like 4 or 5. Most of the time she just refuses. Her temps are 85-88 cool 90-95 warm. I put a stainless steel bowl in her tank with a superworm and 3 little roaches. He has yet to eat any of them.

 

[Amanda1]

Might be time for a trip to the vet.

 

[pecka]

He is doing better eats 5-10 crix ever other day. He can't hunt to save his life. I think he is blind in one eye. I upgraded his enclosure I was afraid it would stress him out but he seems happier and more active. Feeling optimistic

 

[laurahlove]

Awhh poor thing! Im glad he is feeling better though

 

[pecka]

What is the best way to hand feed a leopard? Sometimes he go after the crickets in the tongs like he is starving, but then if he drops it he will strike at it a few times and give up. The crickets are almost dead barley moving and he still can't seem to gage where to grab to get it. I feel like he would eat more if it were easier for him.

 

[Alpha Gecko's]

It's quite funny watching these creatures that are highly evolved to be on this planet for millions of years trying to catch food, my tangerine leo is also useless, he makes effortless attempts to catch the cricket even when its in front of his face! I barely use crickets for my leo's these days, I use mealworms in a dish covered in calcium. All of which can be fed with tongs. If he is struggling to keep on weight you could try him with wax worms, not to often as these are fatty grubs.

I used to do this for my baby bearded dragons, put the crickets in the fridge for 4-5 minutes and then put them in the enclosure which will really slow them down until they warm up again.

 

[pecka]

Ok thanks I'll try. When my bearded was not eating I gave him chicken baby food would that be an option for a Leo also?

 

[Alpha Gecko's]

I haven't really used chicken food but Im sure its fine. I have used kitten food made into a paste before which worked for me.

 

[Amanda1]

Mazuri has an insectivore diet that comes in a powder, you could make a paste out of that.