Weight and growth question

[hds1492]

When I got my leo, I was told that he was probably somewhere between 3 and 4 months old. I just weighed him for the first time since I got him, and he weighed 8 grams. This was AFTER eating. I feel like this is probably a lot lower than it should be. I have had him for almost a month, and it doesn't seem like he has really grown at all. He eats quite a bit (2-3 crickets and at least 5-10 mealworms and/or Phoenix worms a night). What could be going on? Is it possible that he is younger than they say he is?

 

[Dinosaur!]

If you could provide a photo, it would help us determine his age he could have been sold to you when he was very young, and you were lied to.. not saying this is the case, but its a possibility

 

[hds1492]

Sorry for the sideways image, but this is him (I hope it's a him...)

 

[Ersatzi]

Yours looks similar to the size of mine! If the gecko is eating a lot but not gaining weight it could be that your gecko may have parasites. However, I'm not saying that is definitely it, but it's a possibility. However, there are certainly a lot of factors. If you're uncomfortable with the weight of your gecko (after checking temps/gecko's tail size/making sure your scale is working correctly and calibrated if digital) I'd suggest taking a trip to a vet.

 

[Dinosaur!]

Your gecko looks about the size of my one-month old, and weighs ablout the same according to your measurements. may I ask where you got him? (++++ store, breeder, other store?)

 

[DrCarrotTail]

Is he housed with any other geckos? Are you 100% sure he's eating everything you said? If he is there is definitely something going on. My babies eat 5 mealworms per day and gain around 2g per week once they really get going around 3 weeks old. What temperatures are you keeping him at and how are you heating his tank?

 

[hds1492]

I got him from a large chain store. He is housed by himself in a 10 gallon, and has heat lamps right now (moving him into a 20 gallon long with a UTH this week). I ignorantly bought one of those kits, which came with the tank and the lights. I have a "thermometer" (one of the dials) that says the tank is 80-85 degrees. I am 100% sure that he is eating all of that-i watch him eat the crickets, and I haven't found any mealworms or Phoenix worms crawling around. Also, yesterday, he wouldn't eat the crickets I put in his tank, and didn't eat many mealworms. Is this because he doesn't have enough heat?

 

[hds1492]

Here is another picture, so you guys get a better idea of his size. My hands aren't super big, so he's pretty little.

 

[Dinosaur!]

well he is nowhere near three months old! ++++ stores tend to sell very young hatchlings, and since most of them are not educated on proper leopard gecko care, they just tell you what they were told to tell customers about the geckos. You definately need a UTH and a thermometer that can moniter FLOOR temps. The amibient (air) temp is not very important to leopard geckos unless the temps drop below sixty in your home. It is the belly heat that allows leopard geckos to digest their food and stay healthy. also, once he is on a UTH, make sure the temps are between 85-93 degrees. If the temps are too low then they will not be able to digest either. I hope this helps you out a little, and good luck with him

 

[hds1492]

Oh wow! So he really IS a baby!

He hasn't touched food in 2 days Is this because there isn't enough heat? Usually he is very squirmy and skittish whenever I hold him, but tonight he was just sitting on my hand, like maybe he was cold or something.

 

[Dinosaur!]

Yes, leopard geckos will go off of food if they do not have adequate heat, because they know that they will just throw it up later He should begin perking up a bit once he gets the proper belly heat though

 

[hds1492]

Thank you soooo much! You have been very helpful

 

[Dinosaur!]

Im glad that I could help! good luck with your gecko, and keep us updated