Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all,

I'm Vincent from NC. I'm really a starter here. Actually, I have several questions about my little LG (I just began raising him, I suppose, from the past Sunday). Any commends or suggestions would be highly appreciated.

1. After I brought him back home on Sunday, he's eaten nothing but only his own skin after shedding. I'm using the smallest crickets to feed him. And I've seen him failure in several pray attempts. The temp. of my tank is 80-90 during the day, and around 70 during the night. So my question is: is he losing his appetite due to the improper set of temp., or he's not capable of praying? Or maybe there's any other problem that prevents him from eating? And now I'm turning to use meal worm as his meal. Will this be fine?

2. I believe LGs are nocturnal, however, my little juvenile wakes up from time to time during the day, but stays, at least spend some time, in the hiding place during the night. Is this normal?

3. For observing during the night, I'm using a normal red bulb from Wal-mart. Is this fine? Or maybe I should use that moon-light bulb?

This is my first time here, and I'm asking quite a lot of questions. I know this might be annoying, but I'm really worried about my little LG. I'm seeing him as my own child. So, please help.

Thanks.

Vincent

I would ask what type of substrate do you have? If your temps are 80-90 during the day I think that is a big variation. You should look into a thermostat or something to keep the temps from fluxuateing greatly. My leos are most active during the night but they do have some activity during the day. Red bulb is fine for night viewing. Thats what I use although its a reptile bulb not a red lightbulb for partys or such. I am not sure if that makes a difference. I only keep it on for an hour or two, I dont want to keep it on all night. Thats my experineces. You have had him since sunday or last sunday? If you got him sunday give him a day or two more to get aclimated to his/her new environment and his/her appetite should pick up. Others might have more info for you. I would suggest getting Ron Tempers book Herpetculture of Leopard Geckos. I got it and read the whole thing. Has lots of great info for new owners and for those who know the basics and are looking for more info.

Based on my experience I would say that your little man is just stressed out and hasn't adjusted yet. I don't think your temps are the problem so much as he just hasn't adjusted. I usually give my new arrivals several days to get adjusted before I try to feed. If you've got crickets running around the cage this could also stress him out. Mealworms are less intrusive and remain in the food dish, that might work better for you. Plus in my colony I've got several picky eaters. I've noticed that my picky eaters eat better if I can get them used to hand feeding or using tongs. Some are just lazy. I feed a variety of different foods.
I think omnivorous was right when he hit on the red bulb subject. The party bulbs are just reg bulbs with red paint or tint to them. The actually red bulbs used for reptiles is diferent. I don't actually use any light at night for mine. They don't seem to mind if I turn the light on briefly to feed or check on them at night.
Just tinker with different scenarios till you find what works for your leo. That's what makes reptile husbandry so rewarding. Good luck

Landen Smith

I agree with the others. They need some time to adjust to a new environment.

Also, I never use any light of any kind. This is expecially important for any albinos. Albino leopard geckos are a little more sensitive to light....they don't like it and they don't really need it anyway.

Make sure your tank has a temp gradient. You don't want the entire tank at 90 dgrees. A gradient gives them some choice about what temp they would like at any given time.

Good luck