Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have had a male leo for over a month now, and beleive he has not eaten for me yet. I saw him eat on a few occasions, but have not since, and his mealies and crix are definitely not dissappearing (I am counting). Is it possible that he is blind? When I moved him to his new cage a little while ago (so I could monitor eating) he ran his nose all over the cage, and rubbed his head on everything, and a while ago, when I shifted his hide, he had to run his head along it to find its entrance. Exactly what are the signs of a blind leo, and how can I get him to eat? (I have seen him eat, but all I think he has eaten is 5 waxies, that I fed him a week ago as a last resort)I have tried the holding him firmly and pushing the back of a leo gently to his lips, but they won't open. Another thing I have noticed is that he licks everything, my hand, the food he is going to eat, pretty much everything but his vitamin supplement (which I have realize he DEFINITELY doesn't like). could that be a sign that he is blind? I am anxiously awaiting any replies.

Pat
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1.1 mali uromastyx (bruno and mali)
1.1 Leopard geckos (Bart and Sheek )
0.1 blizzard corn snakes (pearl)

when you fed your leo the 5 waxies... did you do that all in the same day? or between meals? because if you did it in the same day, he's probably addicted to it. wax worm addiction is strong enough that leos will refuse all other foods. maybe try a wax worm, then a recently shed mealworm and work your way from there.

not sure about the signs of a blind leo though - good luck!

[aimEe]
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0.1.0 Albino Leopard Gecko (Marlene)
0.0.2 Fire Bellied Toads (Norman & Forman)
0.2.0 African Dwarf Frogs (Hobo & Bobo)
1.0.0 Fighting Fish (Blue Balls)
0.0.2 Hermit Crabs (Kirby & Furby)
1.0.0 Black Lab / Pit Bull (Mikey)
aimee.i8.com

He was not eating up to the feeding of the 5 waxworms, and when I saw he was eating them, I also added freshly molted mealies, and them in the alean form into the mix, but he picked out the waxies, I have tried all of the trix. like scenting mealies with waxie guts, and other ideas. So I am not sure what to do.
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1.1 mali uromastyx (bruno and mali)
1.1 Leopard geckos (Bart and Sheek )
0.1 blizzard corn snakes (pearl)
2.3.1 coleonyx variegatus (banded geckos)
0.0.1 mediterranean house geckos
1.1 Golden retreivers (kardy and bailey)

Shine a light in his eyes, if his pupils contract he probably isn't blind.

I'd recommend removing any uneaten crickets within 15 - 30 minutes. If you're not feeding crickets, try. Their movement can often illicit a feeding response better than mealworms. If he is staying in his hide you can try dangling food items in front of the entrance hole with forceps (this is how I often get my newbies to eat their first meal for me).

I also use Rep-cal and Herptivite supplements for my leos and they seem to love them.

-Alice

I am interested in suggestion too. I have had my male since Oct 4th. He will not touch mealies, which the breeder fed exclusively. My two females from the same breeder eat up the mealies. They are very active. The male is housed the same, but very shy. I have gotten crickets, sometimes he will go after a few and othe times he just ignores them. I have not tried the waxies, I was worried that he might take them, and never go to anything else. SInce he isn't eating anything now, should I try waxies? I have occasionally rubbed some turkey/broth baby food on his nose. I can only do this for a bit, then he gets restless and I can't hold on to him. I don't want to hurt him. What should I do to get him to regularly eat. Are their any particular containers I can place him in to feed? I know for problem snakes I can place them in a paper sack or very small container and it can get problem feeders to eat. He is getting very skinny, while my two females bought the same day have fat tails. I really want to get this guy into a fatty. He has an awesome pattern. I feel bad because all three were gifts for my girlfriend. Any and all advise and suggestions welcome.

Matt

same thing happened here, I got mine on the 4th of october also, he will go after things sometimes, but just licks them feebly, which is odd, now my female that I got the same day, same breeder, and all that stuff, is a fatty! do you happen to live in AZ? I know I got mine at an expo that day. if you do, who did you get the animal from, just wondering if there is something wrong with this particular breeders males (though I doubt it, as he is being reallly helpfull)
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1.1 mali uromastyx (bruno and mali)
1.1 Leopard geckos (Bart and Sheek )
0.1 blizzard corn snakes (pearl)
2.3.1 coleonyx variegatus (banded geckos)
0.0.1 mediterranean house geckos
1.1 Golden retreivers (kardy and bailey)

I got my trio at a show in Tallahassee. The breeder has been very helpful. And by the look of the three when I bought them I don't doubt that he was eating perfectly for them. I just don't understand why after 2 months he is not eating. The two females are lively, inquisitive and know exactly where the mealworm feeding dish is.

I don't know what's up with the males they always seem to take longer than the girls to settle in and the older the male the longer it takes.

Have you tried guts (the white gushy stuff works particularly well)? Sometimes if you quickly dab a squeezed mealworm on their nose then pull it away and let it writhe they will decide to eat it. Some lizards that were reluctant to eat the squeezed mealworm respond well to the same method used with an alien/pupa or a cricket. Pulling the antenae off the cricket first really helps.

Sometimes the writhing mealworm gripped in the forceps works without the gutting. Dragging it along the bottom of the tank as if it's running can also do the trick. When doing this don't let the gecko lick the prey item. For some reason, if you allow them to lick it they'll turn away and lose interest. Make it seem like the prey item is hard to get, then your gecko will have to commit to a lunge.

Don't handle the leo prior to a feeding attempt. Use forceps rather than hands (less scary). Try feeding at differnt times of the day / different light levels (some leos are more apt to feed in the evening). And, if your leo eats keep feeding until it loses interest. Once it loses interest quit for the day.

Beware you may create a monster. I went through this with my 1st $100 dollar leo (OMG I spent all this money and now he won't eat). It took him about 6 months to start feeding regularly. He eats great now, but will only eat mealworms offered on forceps. He totally ignores anything in his dish, and I want him to be nice and fat...

-Alice