Some questions..

[Coby78]

Well I've had my gecko for a week now and I've just had some questions.

1. Is it a problem if the tank temperatures fluctuate a little? In the winter my house changes up and down since we have to save money on propane during the day. The thermometer for the surface of the tank tends to go between 86 and 95 on the hot side, 70-80 on the cold side and about that for the air temperature. I make sure it's within the limits it needs to be, but will it cause problems if the temperature isn't always the same?

2. She seems to only eat when the worms are dropped in front of her instead of sitting in the bowl, so should I still feed what she can eat in 15 minutes? Or give her a number of them? (If so, how many should I feed? I tend to give her 5 or 6, and she can eat those in a matter of minutes. XD).

and 3. Even though she's really active when she's awake, she's really not even awake that often. Is that a result of the temperature issue, or a medical problem? (I used to have birds, and when they slept a lot, that meant there was something wrong with them).

Thank you in advance. I get worried with my pets, aha.

 

[Jordan]

1. not really no, but the best temps to keep it at is between 88 and 95, and a thermostat or rheostat should help you do that. Geckos need these temps to properly digest food.

2. Youve only had her for a week so she will still be settling in, and might not be comfortable enough to eat out of a bowl. Best thing to do is to leave a small bowl of mealworms in overnight. She'll feel more comfortable and relaxed about going out and eating during the middle of the night. And of course, being nocturnal she can see better therefore hunt better at night.

3. Gecko's are nocturnal, she's up and about when your not. Sleeps in the day.

 

[Coby78]

I tried the leaving them in a bowl for a good 24 hours, and none were touched. That is, until I dropped them in front of her. XD

And I know geckos are nocturnal, that's the first thing you learn when you do your research. XD But I'm up until 1a.m. on a normal day and wake up at 6 on weekdays, and she's usually still sleeping. Most places I read they start to wake up at 7 or 8 to get their food, but I usually have to wake her up, and then she goes back to sleep, lol.

 

[prettyinpink]

They don't always stay awake forever at night. Some times they will go back to bed or their hide.

Some leos are very stubborn and won't eat from their dish. If my supers aren't moving around enough for some of my leos they won't touch them...but they'll jump at the chance if I put them on the ground for them.

 

[Coby78]

Oh ok, thank you, both.

 

[Dog Shrink]

Leos are actually crepuscular, most active at twilight and just before dawn, not a true nocturnal animal that is only active after the sun sets. Also my leo won't eat out of a dish eaither, he prefers to stalk his food and attacks when he sees it move. If you really want to entice her to eat out of a dish maybe you can keep a lil chunk of carrot or other food in the dish with the worms so they're more active, but make sure it is larger than what your leo can accidentally eat when trying to grab a worm.

 

[Coby78]

Oh I see, well being crepuscular would make more sense!

It doesn't really bother me dropping them in front of her, but I guess I'll try that for when I'm planning not to be home one day.

 

[Dog Shrink]

Personally I prefer hand feeding my leo. I think it increases the leo/owner bond to be able to see and smell you when you're dropping the food in the tank or using tweezers to place it near your leo. I know that anytime I open Eros' tank he always accepts my hand being in there with open arms thinking he's getting fed

 

[Coby78]

Yeah, I like being able to watch her eat, and she's not afraid of my hand since that's what's dropping the food in front of her. Hopefully it'll easier to handle her, too, once I decide to do that.

 

[roger]

Well I've had my gecko for a week now and I've just had some questions.

1. Is it a problem if the tank temperatures fluctuate a little? In the winter my house changes up and down since we have to save money on propane during the day. The thermometer for the surface of the tank tends to go between 86 and 95 on the hot side, 70-80 on the cold side and about that for the air temperature. I make sure it's within the limits it needs to be, but will it cause problems if the temperature isn't always the same?

2. She seems to only eat when the worms are dropped in front of her instead of sitting in the bowl, so should I still feed what she can eat in 15 minutes? Or give her a number of them? (If so, how many should I feed? I tend to give her 5 or 6, and she can eat those in a matter of minutes. XD).

and 3. Even though she's really active when she's awake, she's really not even awake that often. Is that a result of the temperature issue, or a medical problem? (I used to have birds, and when they slept a lot, that meant there was something wrong with them).

Thank you in advance. I get worried with my pets, aha.

1- if your temps fluctuate that fine as long as they are within 88-95 deg on the warm end
2- have some leos that eat only whats put in front of the.I dont limit my animals food intake
3- u say they are active and that tells me they are fine