Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey everyone! I posted a day or two ago, and, as I said in that post as well, I am new to leos. I just added a 5 month old leo to my small collection. I have a couple of questions. First of all, concerning food...I'm used to my bearded dragon eating close to 30 crickets a day...please give me an idea of how much a healthy 5 month old leo eats. I've only had my leo a day and a half so it doesn't surprise me that it doesn't seem to be really settled in yet, but I want to know when he is in fact eating like a healthy leo. So far he's only eaten a couple of mealworms and won't touch any crickets I know my beardie took a few days to settle into a routine so I'm not worried yet. Second of all, what can I expect from this guy as far as brumation. I ask about brumation because I want to know when to start expecting him to be lethargic and what behavior to expect so that I don't mistake him for being sick. He seems to be very lethargic now...he never comes out of his hide...day or night...he has come out a couple of times for like 30 seconds then returns. It may be due to him not being comfortable in his new enclosure yet, but I'm curious if it's possibly due to brumation. Am I right? Or are leos just this lethargic all the time. Well, time for me to stop typing or this could end up really long. Thanks in advance! ~Eric M

My second leo didn't eat for almost a week when I first got her, and then ate about 5 mealies a day... but now that I moved her, she is not eating again. Anyway, I don't remember how my male was when I first got him, since it has been so long, but he eats as much as I give him. A few times, I threw in as many as 24 crix, he ate them, and then threw them up. So now I only feed him a few mealies a day, so he isn't binge eating and then puking! I just leave a bowl of calcium (I use repcal) with meal worms in it at all times for my leos. Right now, the new ones and Missy, in her new home, are not eating, so make sure you take out the metamorphisized mealies. (Side note, those things are SOOOOOOOOO freaking nasty) I also throw in a few crickets a few times a week, to give a variety.
As far as brumation, is that shedding? If it is, I don't really notice a difference in activity, except they like to stay in their humid hides at that "time of the month". Hehe. It is really easy to tell when they are about to shed, because the turn that weird ghost color fast. Good luck and ask more questions as needed!
~Angela
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2.2.1 Leopard Geckos (2)shct, (1) normal, (1) tang. rainwater albino, (1) tang
0.0.1 Giant Waxy Monkey tree Frog
2.1.0 Whites Tree Frogs
1.0.0 Huge Black Cat
0.1.0 Cocker Spaniel
0.1.0 Brittany
0.0.1 Brother

hello

i use mealies as a staple diet to my 5 month old leo... but as far as crickets are concerned... i believe it's 4 - 7 crix in one feeding AND/OR as many as your leo can eat in 10 minutes. after that time passes, you may want to remove all uneaten crix because they can cause some annoyance to your leo... but if you want, you can leave one or two in there over night for your leo to hunt while you sleep. the first night i got my leo, he ate about 2 crickets, but i switched his diet to mealies and he eats like 10 - 15 of them in one sitting...but i assume that it's because he got used to being with me after a while.

leos will enter brumation if the temperature in the tank drops significantly, if they have shorter daylight hours, or if there's a lack of food. they can stay in brumation for a couple weeks, which will be somewhat difficult for an owner who's trying to keep their weight steady and tails looking healthy. so be sure to keep your temps between 80F - 82F at night and between 86F - 90F during the day (plus UTH for digestion), make sure he gets about 12 - 14 hours of daylight, and that food is available.

good luck and take care!

aimee
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1.0 Albino Leopard Gecko (Melvin)
1.0 Black Lab / Pitbull mix (Mikey)
1.0 Blue Fighting Fish (Blue Balls)

In my experience, 15 mealworms a day is a good number to start with.

Your leo might just be shy. I would base any guesses about sickness on other things first besides lethargy, such as appetite and weight. It's good that you're keeping an eye out for it though.

As for brumation, you'll probably see a decrease in activity, but he'll still come out to eat since he's young and growing.
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chickabowwow

3.2 leopard geckos (Rosie, Locke, Lisa, Caesar, Tommy)
and 3 eggs a' cookin'

Whatever it will eat. You'll know when it's full by the "I'm full! Stop putting those noisy little beasts in my tank!" look that you'll get.

How many totally depends on cricket size. At 5 months it should be able to handle a decent size meal. Anything smaller than her head is a good guide (3/4 her head size). If you try to feed pinheads, she'll eat a pile because they're so tiny. Likely 2-4 1/2" crickets a night. Just a ballpark figure though.
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Blaine

0.0.1 HY/Patternless/Normal Leo (Echo)

Thanks a ton for the good info. I really do appreciate it!!