Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have read many of the responses to similar questions, but I wanted to run by my situation for additional suggestions.

We purchased a juvenile leo about 5 inches long, from a reputable reptile dealer a little over a week ago. It was shipped overnight, and jumped right out of its packaging into our 20 gallon tank. The first couple of days it ate a mealworm or two, but nothing since (it has now been about a week with no food). It also explored the tank, even in the day. Now it does not want to come out of its hides at all. If we handle it will kind of wake up and prowl around a little, but then go back to its hide. The temp in the warm side is between 85 and 90 (depending on what time of day and how warm the house is) and we have both mealworms and crickets in the tank, along with a water dish. It looks healthy to me, with a fat tail and tummy and clear eyes, just kind of sluggish and reclusive and no appetite. Could this be a hibernation thing? I have instucted the family not to handle or bother it, thinking it might be stressed from trip. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Emerick, the newbie

How long have you had him/her? It is not uncommon that once a leo arrives in his new enviroment that it woneat for a week or so. There are occasions now where one of my leos especially my male will got for about 1-2 weeks without eating... then start back up like a little piggy. You also might think about is that if you have crickets in his cage at all times that they are pestering him. Try only to put crix in at night time and after 10 to 15 min take them out. Crickets also have a bad habit of wanting to bite the leos. I wouldnt worry yet. If you can contact the breeder and ask what s/he thinks.

Alicia
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2 male leos: Winky HY & Lenny TangCT & 6 Female Leos: Sunshine Super tang,Starburst, & Daisy Super tang carrot tail, Serenity Tremper HY Jungle Albino, Skittle Hypo-Golden, and Banana Patternless.

Thanks for your response. I've had him (her?) for about 10 days. The funny thing is, he did eat for the first day or two, and then nothing. And it seems to have coincided with wanting to stay in his hide all the time.

We did call the reptile place a couple of times, and they suggested keeping the tank warmer (which we have done) and putting a whole bunch of crickets in to stimulate him into "hunt" mode. Neither worked. I think he is hiding from the crickets! We have a full range of sizes in there, down to teeny ones, and also a bowl with about 10 mealworms. The mystery goes on.

Do you have an undertank heater? I have 4 leos, and when i first got them only one was a big hunter... (since then he sustained and injury though ) But after i got the undertank heater 2 of my leos started eating like crazy, my smallest albino went from eating 1 mealworm every other day to about 5 mealworms and a couple of crickets a night! My record is my other baby leo ate a dozen crickets one time...

If you dont have one, get one and set it for about 90 degrees
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Yes, UTh help with digesting the food and gives the good belly heat without burning them. I would to recommend to pull out all the food for 24 hours then put 5-10 cix in his tank. What helped me out a lot was my vet told me to either have a seperate tank or one of those kritter carriers (size depening on what size the leo is) for your a smaller one shoudl due for now. He said to use that so if it is that their hunting skills need improvement that this allows them to get the crix withought really having to run after them and it makes the cirx not hide form leos. Its not good for crix to stay in the leos tanks at all times. The pester the leos and crap everywhere. Which can be unhealthy. If you want also you can bribe him with some turkey baby food, that always works atelast with mine. When they are on hunger strikes.
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2 male leos: Winky HY & Lenny TangCT & 6 Female Leos: Sunshine Super tang,Starburst, & Daisy Super tang carrot tail, Serenity Tremper HY Jungle Albino, Skittle Hypo-Golden, and Banana Patternless.