Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I haven't seen my baby leo drink, I suspect it to have eaten but I'm worried about it getting dehydrated. I keep the water in front of it's hidey, but it doesn't come out. I have any older leo, but any suggestions would be great. Thank you =]

When I first got mine, I just put him in a cage with only a plate of water. It might not have been the best idea, but he drank right on up. He may be drinking at night, being as they are nocturnal, mine has all hide fun when i'm asleep!

Just as a note, I have only seen my male gecko drink a hand full of times, hes a 3yr old adult but still, even as he was young, still only a hand full of times.

My recent female, shes alot 3, I have had her for about 2 weeks maybe 3 and I havent seen her drink, only eat.

My point and guesss...

Your baby leo may be drinking while your not looking, same as mine.
OR
Leo's orgins are from HOT almost desert areas. In the Leopard Gecko Manuel, it states there found on big Rocks in the Wild(or something similar to that). So maybe Leos don't drink alot of water.

Once again, im a newb to Leos to and learning something new everyday so anyone please correct me on anything im wrong.

And just as a note,

make sure his water bowl is Shallow, most leos hate splashing water and water in general.(Although I heard some leos use water to cool down when it gets too hot.)

Good Luck
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Normal - Male - Ninja
High Yellow - Female - Ninjete

Where do you add the time-stampish signature thing to your posts?

If you are worried, we have had success getting a dehydrated baby to drink by taking a q-tip in water (not cold!) and gently dripping some water on its nose. Do this at night when s/he's normally active. If s/he licks like crazy you may want to consider the next time you handle the gecko, put it down on top of the water bowl. It may sound a bit mean, but s/he won't forget where the water is!

As long as it is eating a lot and pooping, it is probably drinking late at night, still it won't hurt at all to drip a bit on the nose.
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0.1 Albino Leo Gecko
0.1 Crested Gecko
1.0 Dear Boyfriend
Departed: Harvey and Spock

Not that one should ever exclude a water dish from the tank but I imagine that leos probably get a significant amount of water from their food supply as well. All the more reason to ensure the food is well fed as well.

I've seen my 3 leos drink from the water dish to different extents that tend to go with their own character. I think a lot of what you see depends on the leo's personality. Some don't like to eat with an audience so the same may be true of drinking, pooping, etc...

Make sure the water is kept in a reasonably shallow dish so that they have an easier time finding it but not so shallow that it evaporates in the course of a day or two. I usually change the water about that often anyway.

My leos have occasionally taken a swim but usually it's because they want to investigate something on that side of the tank and the water just happens to be in the way. If they're sitting in the water too long then my guess is that it's either the "personality thing" coming through or maybe you should look at the tank temperatures. Could they be getting a little too hot?

N.F.