Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We posted about this a few weeks ago or a month maybe. Our baby leo was scared of crickets and we figured it was just because she was so small. Well now she has grown a lil and is a lil fatter and guess what?! Still scared to death of crix. Yup, wont touch them. Its kind of comical but then again frustrating. Any ideas on how to get her to eat them? Any of you deal with this before?
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Mike & Wendy

2.0.0 Siberian husky, Jackrussel/schitzu
0.0.1 Ball Python
1.0.1 Leopard Gecko
4.0.0 Beta's
3.1.0 Future Herper's

I need some info before I can try to help. What is the weight of your gecko,and how old is it? Was it eating before? What is the temps in the cage? What heat source are you using? Where did it come from and how about a picture?
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Brian
www.thewindycitygecko.com

Dang man your not pickey at all are you?? LOL just kidding man! Ill get you all that info and post it a little later today! Gotta go get a scale and take a current picture! Thanks man and ill have that info soon!
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Mike & Wendy

2.0.0 Siberian husky, Jackrussel/schitzu
0.0.1 Ball Python
1.0.1 Leopard Gecko
4.0.0 Beta's
3.1.0 Future Herper's

weighed her today and she's 20 grams. cold side of the tank is averaging 75.6 f and the hot side is averaging 87-92f. she's eating lots of mealworms 10-15 at a time and wax worms on occasion but even crickets with the legs broke so they dont jump she cowersand wont even try to eat them I tried killing one and still she smelled it and hid on the other side of the cage. She was about 6 weeks when we got her and I have had her for six weeks so shes about 3 months old. the top picture is the one from tonight and the bottom one is from when we first got her.

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Mike & Wendy

2.0.0 Siberian husky, Jackrussel/schitzu
0.0.1 Ball Python
1.0.1 Leopard Gecko
4.0.0 Beta's
3.1.0 Future Herper's

First of all I am not a VET. Everything I am telling you is my opinions from my experiences with them.
Jugding from your pic she seems OK. She may not be the fatest gecko around but her weight looks alright. As a rule of thumb if the tail flares out it is a good sign.
One thing I noticed is that you offer mealworms and crickets. If you leave them in a bowl for her she will eat them when she is hungry. I switched over to mealworms myself and my breeders look at crickets now like I must be kidding. The amount of effort they put into eating is directly proportionate to how hunry they are. So my guess with the crickets is she is lazy or not hungry.
Also if you have them on a low light schedule she could think it is still winter and be in a slower metabolic state. Try leaving lights on for longer periods of time.
You forgot to tell me what substrate you are using. This also could effect her appetite along with her health.
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Brian
www.thewindycitygecko.com

The substrate is shelf liner for now until we get her in the bigger viv.
Its not that shes not eating or she isnt hungry when we offer the crix. We try and offer like we said and she just doesnt have it. She runs the other way and hides until the cricket is gone. After we take the cricket out and offer her mealies shes all over it and she'll eat like 10-15 at a time. Crazy stuff! I do want to add that we do leave a bowl with mealies in there for her all the time, so she does eat when she feels the need.
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Mike & Wendy

2.0.0 Siberian husky, Jackrussel/schitzu
0.0.1 Ball Python
1.0.1 Leopard Gecko
4.0.0 Beta's
3.1.0 Future Herper's

Some geckos are just fussy eaters. If you remove the mealworms from her diet she will eventually go after the crickets.

Personally I like mealworms better than crickets.
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Brian
www.thewindycitygecko.com

My sisters new albino baby is the same way. Not sure if she actually runs and hides from them, cause she only just told me about it 2 days ago I think, and I haven't even seen her new guy yet.

I can always hope she wont be so picky as she gets bigger. I just worry she's not getting enough variety with just worms. i'll keep trying every few days. thanks for all your help.
It is nice however to know mines not the only one.

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Mike & Wendy

2.0.0 Siberian husky, Jackrussel/schitzu
0.0.1 Ball Python
1.0.1 Leopard Gecko
4.0.0 Beta's
3.1.0 Future Herper's

She is better without them. stick with mealworms, silkworms, wax worms and pinks. along with vitamins and calcium. No need to feed her nasty crickets.

Do not feed her wax worms.Being picky she may refuse to eat anything else which is a problem for most enthusiasts. Besides they offer little to no nutrition. They are what my vet likes to refer to as gecko snickers.
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Brian
www.thewindycitygecko.com

"She is better without them. stick with mealworms, silkworms, wax worms and pinks. along with vitamins and calcium. No need to feed her nasty crickets."

Man whats with the racism agenst crickets? lol