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britney and tokay_dude...

ericchen May 01, 2004 09:59 PM

since u guys are the experts here ..well and stina...but i don't knwo where she is...lets say i leave them be for a week but they still don't eat...should i try crickets? and stuff?...or try some reptiaid stuff/jumpstart....im still worried...they dont' look old enough and fat enough to handle not eating for more than a week...eek...and im pretty traumatized by my last baby...it took FOREVER for me to get it to eat...and it was a pain doing it...turns out it only ate crix....but now im stressing again...so HELP! ahh!
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"you won't know success if you haven't failed..."-eric chen
1.1.1 Hi-Yellow Leopard Geckoes
0.0.2 Blizzards
0.1.0 Western (Plains) Hognose Snake
0.1 Boxer Dog

Replies (21)

ericchen May 01, 2004 10:03 PM

...why aren't mine crazy eaters...man..babies are soo nerve-racking...im gonna pass out if they dont' eat soon....grr shouldve just got a bigger blizzy
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"you won't know success if you haven't failed..."-eric chen
1.1.1 Hi-Yellow Leopard Geckoes
0.0.2 Blizzards
0.1.0 Western (Plains) Hognose Snake
0.1 Boxer Dog

lizzylizard May 01, 2004 10:29 PM

My baby blizzard is a huge eater. He ate almost 30 pieces of food the other night, and he is only a month old. I know that is way to much, I am now spearating them during feeding.

Lisa
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0.1 Hypo Leopard Gecko
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko
0.1 Blizzard Leopard Gecko
1.0 Pacman Frog (Phatty)
1.0 Lovebird (Tony Montana)
1.0 Elkhound (Otto)
0.1 Malamute (Paris)
5.0 Bettas

ericchen May 01, 2004 10:53 PM

i know...thats why im soo stressed out...where did u get him/her?...and what do u feed it?...crix mealies?
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"you won't know success if you haven't failed..."-eric chen
1.1.1 Hi-Yellow Leopard Geckoes
0.0.2 Blizzards
0.1.0 Western (Plains) Hognose Snake
0.1 Boxer Dog

lizzylizard May 01, 2004 11:25 PM

My blizzard will eat anything. The second I dropped her in her tank she ate, mealworms, crickets, and butterworms. I got all of them from Tarzets, a breeder in Ontario, Canada. They normally have a website but it's down right now. However, one of my little girls is sort of a picky eater, she will only eat crickets.
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0.1 Hypo Leopard Gecko
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko
0.1 Blizzard Leopard Gecko
1.0 Pacman Frog (Phatty)
1.0 Lovebird (Tony Montana)
1.0 Elkhound (Otto)
0.1 Malamute (Paris)
5.0 Bettas

tokay_dude1 May 01, 2004 10:14 PM

Well, like i said, if you got them from AAA theres is a very slim chance of them being sick, when they are shipped even though the boz may say "handle with care" or fragils oe W/E they almost never follow that, so...they are just really STRESSED out and need some time to get used to where they are now

if they dont eat the mealworms you can try crickets but make sure where you get them is clean, they have a better chance of carrying a parasite than any other food item, i dont use crickets anymore due to some bad experiences, so if you want to use crickets get them from a cleam place some pet stores keep theirs clean..but not really...LLLreptile.com sells them 1,000 for 15$ shipped

try the mealworms for now, either drop some in fron of them, or put 5-10 in a dish and leave them in overnight and see how that works

ericchen May 01, 2004 10:17 PM

...sorry if im such a bug...but...u know...not eating herps=stressed out herpers....AHHHHH....*deep breath*...woosah...woosah...
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"you won't know success if you haven't failed..."-eric chen
1.1.1 Hi-Yellow Leopard Geckoes
0.0.2 Blizzards
0.1.0 Western (Plains) Hognose Snake
0.1 Boxer Dog

tokay_dude1 May 01, 2004 10:21 PM

everyone gets worried,

so dont sweat it, your blizzards will eat soon, and yes they are known to have voracious appitites, just give it a week, and stop worrying, no new lizard eats the first 2 days home, unless they are seriously starving to death...just make sure they have clean water..heat..and your good, leave the tank free of any food, anmd try again in 4-5 days

lizzylizard May 01, 2004 10:26 PM

I might be wrong, but I would try everything. Maybe try hand feeding, if they do not run away. I just bought some plastic tweezers to get one of my new girls to eat worms, I’ll let you know if they work. Try crickets, if they do not work, take them out after 15 minutes and try the next day. Leave some mealworms out in an escape proof container 24/7, make sure they are visible. Count them to see if any are missing. If you can afford it, try some other types of worms, butterworms, silkworms, waxworms, but do not get them hooked on these guys. One of my new leos won’t eat unless she can't see me and it is dark.

If they are just baby leos then they have not developed enough fat reserves in their tails to last very long (well not as long as an adult). I wouldn't worry if they don't eat for a week, but keep trying, without disturbing them to much. For example, are you taking them out of their hides to feed them? if so don't. Try once at day at the maximum. If I see my little guys out on the prowl, I know it's dinner time and their hungry. After a week and a half to two weeks I personally would get nervous and at least call a vet. Did you get them from a reputable breeder? if not you could take them in for check up anyways. They could just rule out any sort of parasite... If they are from a reputable breeder I'm pretty sure that they will come around.

This is just my opinion, based on things I have been told and experiences I have gone though.

Lisa
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0.1 Hypo Leopard Gecko
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko
0.1 Blizzard Leopard Gecko
1.0 Pacman Frog (Phatty)
1.0 Lovebird (Tony Montana)
1.0 Elkhound (Otto)
0.1 Malamute (Paris)
5.0 Bettas

TLB May 01, 2004 10:31 PM

Hi

We all totally understand how concerned you are about them, but just rememeber they are well worth anything we have to go through in order to bring them up healthy and happy.

Just remember that were they came from, they probably didn't have a lot of space to move around in and will have to get used to the nice home that you gave them, they probably didn't have all the nice things in there container at the place they were, like you have just given them. So it would be like an average person, walking into a mansion for the first time in there lives and just trying to take it all in.

I would definitely go to the petstore in the morning and get them some small crickets, and give them the thrill of chasing them around in the tank. Don't forget to dust the crickets in your excitment.

Just keep talking to us about things and we will get you through this nervous period.

But, until tomorrow, just take a deep breath and enjoy the fact that you just got your first baby's and they are home now with a loving person.

Take Care, TLB

lizzylizard May 01, 2004 10:36 PM

Very good advise, you said it so comforting
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0.1 Hypo Leopard Gecko
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko
0.1 Blizzard Leopard Gecko
1.0 Pacman Frog (Phatty)
1.0 Lovebird (Tony Montana)
1.0 Elkhound (Otto)
0.1 Malamute (Paris)
5.0 Bettas

E2MacPets May 01, 2004 10:37 PM

How is your blizzard kept? Describe the setup down to the last grain of sand.

Where is it kept? Heavily trafficked area? Bright lights at all times of the day? How many times are you personally checking on it? Handling it? Are you getting where I'm going with this?

Some geckos eat the day they arrive. I personally have one gecko that didn't eat for the first four months it was here! And guess what, that was the first leopard gecko I ever owned. She's still with me four years later. But of course she was setup in my bedroom and I handled her constantly from the day I got her, and so on...
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E2MacPets
http://www.e2macpets.com

lizzylizard May 01, 2004 10:44 PM

I agree completely. Make sure they are not in direct sunlight for starters. My first leo didn't eat for about a week. My new babies all ate the second I let them out of their containers. I was just going to leave them overnight, but they seemed to be looking for food, little pigs. They do all seem to like crickets more than worms.
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0.1 Hypo Leopard Gecko
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko
0.1 Blizzard Leopard Gecko
1.0 Pacman Frog (Phatty)
1.0 Lovebird (Tony Montana)
1.0 Elkhound (Otto)
0.1 Malamute (Paris)
5.0 Bettas

ericchen May 01, 2004 11:08 PM

okay...where they are kept:

they are kept individually in 15 quart sterilite boxes that is ventiltaed with soldering iron holes...have one petri dish of about 10 worms...small water dish...ceramic hide...and heat tape running down the far end (opposite ceramic hide and water) near the worms...and paper towel as substrate...am i doing anything wrong?
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"you won't know success if you haven't failed..."-eric chen
1.1.1 Hi-Yellow Leopard Geckoes
0.0.2 Blizzards
0.1.0 Western (Plains) Hognose Snake
0.1 Boxer Dog

E2MacPets May 01, 2004 11:18 PM

I would include a hide on both sides. I would also move the worms to the cool side. Make sure you have a proper temperature gradient, with the warm side around 90*F
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E2MacPets
http://www.e2macpets.com

lizzylizard May 01, 2004 11:26 PM

sounds good, what are your temps?
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0.1 Hypo Leopard Gecko
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko
0.1 Blizzard Leopard Gecko
1.0 Pacman Frog (Phatty)
1.0 Lovebird (Tony Montana)
1.0 Elkhound (Otto)
0.1 Malamute (Paris)
5.0 Bettas

ericchen May 02, 2004 12:14 AM

78-80 cool side 87-90 warm side
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"you won't know success if you haven't failed..."-eric chen
1.1.1 Hi-Yellow Leopard Geckoes
0.0.2 Blizzards
0.1.0 Western (Plains) Hognose Snake
0.1 Boxer Dog

BlizzardGecko May 02, 2004 02:56 AM

Sorry that I didn't get to reply earlier! I have guests spending the night right now!!! Your questions are being very well-answered though, good luck!
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-Britney

Primal Geckos

"AHH!!! MY GOD!! THERE'S BLOOD RIGHT NEXT TO THAT BROKEN KETCHUP BOTTLE!!!"

ericchen May 02, 2004 11:29 AM

well..i had ten in each petri dish yesterday and this morning i found 6...so i'm guessing they ate 4...i didn't check the box for any escapees yet but i don't wanna disturb them...however they haven't pooped yet..O.o
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"you won't know success if you haven't failed..."-eric chen
1.1.1 Hi-Yellow Leopard Geckoes
0.0.2 Blizzards
0.1.0 Western (Plains) Hognose Snake
0.1 Boxer Dog

powergeckos May 02, 2004 01:49 PM

. . . OK - those of you who know me will remember my thoughts on feeding new animals. Take the food out - all of it. You have to just chill - let them alone - don't look at them - don't move their box - don't freak out - don't play with them - NOTHING - for 3 days.

Then, calmly (get the ZEN) put in 6 nice crickets or 10 of the wiggliest mealworms you can find. Put them in the food dish - and put them back. Then don't look at them for 30 hours.

Come back and check - they should have eaten.

I think most people worry their leos to death - get all freaked out over their diet - and stress out the leos. There is a ZEN to it. Don't feed them for awhile - bring some small amounts of food - and build on the success.

They won't eat if they are stressed - I can almost guarantee you that. I had a female with shed caught on her jaw - I removed it (quite stressfully) and she repayed my by not eathing for 3 months.

You have to chill - not worry - and just be the ZEN - Master of feeding.
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Monte Meyer
Powergeckos
Email

No Fru-Fru morphs in the herp room

ericchen May 02, 2004 05:13 PM

wow...this zen thing...ill try it...
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"you won't know success if you haven't failed..."-eric chen
1.1.1 Hi-Yellow Leopard Geckoes
0.0.2 Blizzards
0.1.0 Western (Plains) Hognose Snake
0.1 Boxer Dog

BlizzardGecko May 03, 2004 10:48 AM

He is right! That is the best way to do it! Like we said before.. Just take the food away completely and just leave the leos alone for a few days, then try again! Catching the "ZEN" is a good way to put it, Monte, lol-- Actually probably the best way.. >_>
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-Britney

Primal Geckos

"AHH!!! MY GOD!! THERE'S BLOOD RIGHT NEXT TO THAT BROKEN KETCHUP BOTTLE!!!"

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