Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey guys. I have just started to get back into leopards. I have a new albino hatchling that has a really hard time catching food. I have her in a 10 gallon tank on paper towels. I have been hand feeding her meal worms so I know that she's getting some food. What should I do to help her catch her food. I want her to get her own food so she does not get used to me having to hand feed her. Should I put her into a shoe box when feeding crickets so that it's a smaller cage? Oh yeah, she has a 3/4 regenerated tail so I know it's important that she gets all her proper nutrients. That's why I'd rather her eat crickets but she seems to be too slow. Any input would be great!
Thanks,
Adam

my experience with hatchlings is that it takes a little time for them to learn and get good at catching their own food. i also read that smaller enclosures are better as hatchlings so that it is easier for them to catch food. also, i dont think crickets have any more benefit to leos than mealies from a nutritional standpoint..
-----
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)

Thanks for your reply! I guess my question is, is it harder for albinos to see their food then it is for other morphs? The little hatching has red eyes so I'm wondering what I could do to make it easier for her.

-Adam

>>Thanks for your reply! I guess my question is, is it harder for albinos to see their food then it is for other morphs? The little hatching has red eyes so I'm wondering what I could do to make it easier for her.
>>
>>-Adam

If you're not already, dim or turn off the lights after you toss the crickets in with her. They're nocturnal and have good night vision, but don't do quite as well in bright light, especially albinos.
-----
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko - Tigger
0.1 Crested Gecko - Pooh-Bear

like the last poster, albinos are light sensitive especially as babies. I would recommend feeding in the evening before you go to bed to allow for them to see the best. if you are using a light during the day, a red light is the best imo. the red light does not affect the geckos ability to see like a normal white light or a uvb light.
-----
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)

Okay, I will try that. Do you guys think that it's okay to keep her in the 10 gallon tank or should I put her in a plastic shoe box? She eats about 5 mealworms everytime I feed her (every other day) but I have only seen one stool in her cage in about 5 days. Is that a cause for concern?

-Adam

no cause for concern. if you feed mealies out of a feeding dish, the 10 gallon is fine. if you are feeding crickets, i would go with the shoebox. whatever you choose stick with it. changes cause stress, so dont go back and forth. if you want to feed crickets in the 10 gallon you can start off by taking off a leg or two to slow down the cricket. i think that is a pain so i keep hatchlings in 6 qt sterilite containers..
-----
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)

okay cool. I will get it a small dish to put mealies in. Do you think she will find them on her own or how can I show her where they are? Thanks for all your help. I rescued her so I'm trying to do the best=)Oh and check out the pics =)

-Adam

i think he will find them on his own. mine always have. you can try to shake the mealies around to get them to wiggle and kind of show him and then put the container down? maybe that will give him a hint. shouldnt be an issue though.. nice looking gecko too..
-----
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)

Thanks sport! You have been very helpful. I took her into a dark room this afternoon and fed her. She still didn't seem to see them so I hand fed them to her. She ate 8 mealies. I thought that was pretty good for her size. I'm hoping she will find the dish own her own after a while as she doesn't like to be handled too much. Thanks again for all your help. I truly appreciate it.

-Adam

Here are a couple pics of him/her. As you can see it has a regenerated tail.