Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Anyone ever experience anything like this? I bought a pair of AFT's at the last White Plains Show, and the female - who may be gravid - has been eating like a pig from a dish every evening. The male seems to know there is food in the dish - looks on while she eats - but has yet to eat (his tail is quite fat so I havne't worried too much). He just went into his second shed since I got him though - 1. How can he be growing if he's not eating? 2. Can frequent sheds be stress related? Any experience or facts appreciated.
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The Classroom Zoo is...
1:2 leopard geckos, R.I.P. Rosie
1:1(gravid) African Fat Tail Geckos
1:0 Jackson's Chameleon
1:0 Veiled Chameleon
1:1 Bearded Dragons
0:1 Florida Kingsnake
0:1 White's Tree Frog
Hairless Mice, Roaches, Mealies, and Supers...

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I'm not an expert on AFTs, but have a few simple suggestions until the experts get a chance to post.

Is it possible that the male is eating when you are not looking? I ask that because I recently got an adult AFT pair, and I never see the male eat but I know he is eating because he is defecating. The breeder told me that he may take a while to settle in. I try to leave them alone to eat, since he doesn't seem to eat when I'm around.

Also, have you tried putting food in more than one dish so he doesn't have to compete with the female's piggy appetite (my female is the same ) I've been doing some reading on dominance in lizards, and he may not be feeling like the dominant lizard right now. My male is double the size of my female, but she stomps all over him and he definitely seems to defer to her.

Regarding the shedding, I had a leopard gecko who did not eat (for sure) for over 3 months, and she continued to shed every 3 weeks like clockwork. (Not to say it is normal not to eat for so long, it was part of a serious illness she had. I was just making the observation regarding shedding).

Aren't AFTs just the cutest lizards, though? I'm so happy with mine. I hope you male will be okay.

I did not see my male fat tail eat when i first got him for 3 weeks,so he should be fine!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AFT's and Leo's will shed if they eat or not. Even if they are paper thin and not eating they will still shed. I wish i could remember what book i read it in where it said that they have one layer of skin and to grow or shink they need to shed.
What are you feeding them? If your putting food in a dish im thinking your offering meal worms? try to put in some crickets. He may not like mealworms and prefer crickets. I always offer both.
The way to tell if he is eating is to watch for his droppings. if you seperate the 2 for a day or more you can watch him more closely and see if hes made any poops.

I have to agree with this. I have a hard time getting my male AFT to eat anything but crix, he will not touch a mealie to save his life. However the one female will eat anything that moves.

Also, make sure you have the set-up right. Enough humidity, heat etc.

Also, are these guys captive bred, wild caught or long term captives? A fecal and a worming might be in order too.

Feel free to e-mail me with any questions. Good luck with the eggs, they are more of a challenge than leos.