I posted about a month back about my leopard gecko only having a bowel movement when she's out of her terrarium and put on paper-otherwise she refuses to go even past a week or longer. She has been cured of this, and goes regularly in her terrarium, same spot. The reason: She was depressed--she WANTS to be handled DAILY. The caresheet provided in this forum says:
"and grasping them (us) as predators, which as you can imagine, is probably stressful. Over time, some of the more intelligent reptiles, or reptiles that have evolved without the presence of large, mammalian predators, can become accustomed to limited handling, but I seriously doubt they ever like or need it. This view is based on my graduate education in biological and ecological principles"
WRONG! It was by not handling her DAILY that caused this serious psychological problem in my Leopard gecko. In fact, I only held her 2 or 3 times a week that she got so depressed SHE REFUSED TO PULL OFF HER OWN SKIN AFTER A SHED! that's right-she lets bags of old skin hang on her.
It was only after holding her daily and telling her how cute she looks and letting her lick me on the nose, she turned normal again--resumed regular bowel movements in her terrarium, will care for herself, and eat regularly.
PLEASE DO NOT BELIEVE WHAT YOU READ ABOUT LEOPARD GECKOS NOT LIKING TO BE HANDLED. In my pet's case, it is a matter of life and death that if you do not handle and talk to her at a daily basis, she will get very depressed.
Please note her feces was checked and it is free of parasites. It all had to do with wanting to be loved *and held* at a daily basis.
It isn't "just a lizard" but it wants--and responds--to love, just as we do!
Anyway, she's back to normal. I just have to remember to hold her and let her lick me on the nose and tell her how adorable she is (which she is!). she's soo cute how she bats her eyes when I talk to her.
JadeFox
