Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I had a leo back in the day, and I was interested in having one again (I was pretty young, my dad did most of the work on the first one).

The problem is, I travel on weekends (leave thursday night, back sunday afternoon). I don't remember how often we fed ours, and the care sheets I've found online say anywhere from twice daily to once weekly. One even said bi-weekly in colder months if the leo isn't as hungry.

twice weekly, or even every other day, would be ideal-- but I don't feel comfortable with the sources I've found. Thoughts?

Mine eats every day. Every other day is fine, and they can go a week without if they HAVE to, but I wouldn't do that on a regular basis. It would die sooner than later.

Quig

i disagree with the previous poster. get your leo on mealworms and put in extra before you leave for the weekend. i have done this before and come back to left over mealies. and if it e3ats them all, it will be fine for a few days. it should be fine.. i give my leos a constant supply of mealworms and add more when they get low or run out..
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1.1 Western Painted Turtle (Mougly, Scooter)
1.1 Albino Leopard Gecko (Daphne, Guy)
1.0 High Yellow Leopard Gecko (Sunshine)
1.1 HTCT Leopard Gecko (Rocket, Dot)
0.1 SHTCT Leopard Gecko (Tequila)

I've started feeding less myself. My leos have finally reached something of their full size, so they seem to be less interested in food. Some of that is probably due to the winter though. I think once they get to adult size, feeding is only necessary about 3 times a week. If you fed on Monday after you got back, I bet they'd be fine. Have fun. They're tougher and hardier than some seem to think.
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0.2 Leopard Geckos (Fire and Mello)
0.0.1 Blue Tongue Skink (Smoot)

Agreed; mine reached full size and just shut down eating, at least compared to when she was a juvenile. Used to be she'd chomp down 5-6 crickets/night. Now I'm lucky if I can get her to eat 3 at a feeding, and I only feed every third day. On that schedule, she actually continued to gain weight (stopped getting longer at about 9.5 inches long/60 grams, but thickened up to 75 grams on that feeding schedule).

Leaving an adult for 3 days w/o food is just fine; a juvenile should have food daily if that's at all possible. Obviously they won't die going without for a couple of days, but while they're growing, it's best to provide them as much food as they'll eat, so if you can time your gecko acquisition to a time when you'll be traveling less than usual, that'd be a good idea. Alternately, if you get an adult gecko, it shouldn't be an issue at all.
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0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko - Tigger
0.1 Crested Gecko - Pooh-Bear

I have a 12 year old female that eats 1-3 times a week.

She has weeks without food with no noticeable weight loss.

I feed mine crickets daily during breeding season or when they are juvies but they would be fine if you fed them Thurs. before you left and again in Sun. when you returned. Putting some mealworms in a dish on Thursday would tie them over. Just make sure you gutload your mealworms and/or crickets. I personally feed my crickets a mixture of crushed dry dog food,oats,dry milk powder and calcium powder. with fresh vegies on the side. Once in a while I will put in a bone with a little meat on it sprinkled with calcium powder for a couple hours. The fresh meat is also good for the mealworms.The way I see it is the better my crickets eat the better my geckos eat. Good Luck