Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I new to this forum, and I've been doing a bunch of research regarding leopard geckos and how they make good pets and have some personailty too. I read all the books and checked the web sites also. So finally, I just bought a leopard gecko this past weekend, and he or she has been great. They are eating plenty and getting use to their new home. He's been active and seemingly comfortable but I've been worried cause I haven't seen him drink water yet. I know leopard geckos are nocturnal and are therefore active at night, so he may be taking sips from the water bowl while I'm sleeping. I originally had a water bowl that was the exact same one that was used in the pet store I got him from, but I thought maybe it was too deep, even though he could easily raise his head above the edge of the water bowl. So now I changed to this circular like petri style dish, that is very shallow, but is larger. It's normal see through plastic. He's noticed the new dish cause he's looked at it, and even walked through it since it's so shallow. Any suggestions? should i be worried? He seems fine, and it's been almost a week. Details of my setup include a 50 watt infrared bulb and undercage heating mat for heat and nocturnal viewing. I also have to little caves to use at hide boxes, one on each side of the cage, for hot/cool hiding. I mist under the hide boxes daily. Feed about 4-7 crickets (1/4 inch size i think) daily dusted with calcium, i'll be doing once a week with vitamins. The substrate I use is that fake astroturf for reptiles. Also, the gecko is about 2-3 months old according to the store. The tail isn't fat, but it isn't skinny. But he eats plenty. I've heard the tail should be like 2-3 times the size of the neck. Please give me any advice you can give.

Thanks in Advance,
Raydeohed

P.S. How much do you guys feed juevinille geckos?

Im sure that your leo is drinking. Im not sure exactly how long they can go without drinking. I know humans can go about 2-3 months without any food, but less than a week without water. Im sure that a gecko couldnt go much longer than that, even if they are desert creatures.

Yes they are nocturnal creatures. Your leo is most definitely drinking at night when it feels the safest. I think they feel vulnerable when they are drinking. I catch my geckos shedding about as often as I catch them drinking, and they are healthy as ever so they obviously drink.
If you dont have a closed lid on your aquarium the water will probably evaporate pretty quickly. But if you have a closed top or keep geckos in tubs or something like that then the water can take a really long time to evaporate. Too long actually, youll want to change the water out once or twice a week depending on wheter crickets have been drowning or poopin in water. I dont think leos need very much water at all since I dont really ever notice the water levels going down in the bowl. I wouldnt worry about it, your gecko would show definite signs of weakness if not be dead by now with no water.

Has anyone had experience with geckos going extended periods of time without water? Like if you were out of town and the pet watcher didnt come through or something?

Joe

I've never seen my leo drink either but it must be because its still alive. I wouldnt worry about it unless you see a rapid decline in its health. I mist my cage every other day and I think the leo gets some water that way by licking off the sides of the cage.

Feed them as much as they'll eat.... I don't feed crickets so I can't say how many they'd take.. my adults take 10 or 12 mealworms (4 or 5 Superworms) every 2 days...My Juvie's will take 10 or 12 mealies every night... steadily.... maybe skip one day but then they're right back at the food the next night.
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Lucien

1.0 Columbian Redtail Boa (BCI)
3.1 Leopard geckos (2 Blizzard and 2 het Blizzard)
0.1 Savannah Monitor
13 rats
12 Gerbils
2 Dogs
3 cats
1 Albino Corey (fish)