Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,
Recently my male U. pietschmanni has been spending a lot of time on the floor of the vivarium, just sitting on the sphagnum moss.

I am worried that he has some sort of problem. He is LTC. The temps and humidity are exactly where they should be.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for any help,
Justin

Does he eat any food?

All you can really do is quarentine him, collect a fecal and get it tested... If you think hubandry is not the issue, then the problem may be something that will turn up in his "poop." Whenever I see even the slightest indication their might be a problem... Continually sitting in awekward positions, dark-dull colors, lethargy, lack of eye shin (sunken eyes), edges of tail curled inward, ect. I assist feed them... Keep in mind that you may experience a couple of these things and their maybe no real problem... You have to take it all in context... It comes down to the fact that "know" the behavior of your animal, and you can sense when something just isnt right... To assist feed, I use chicken baby food, herptivite, reptocal, and pedialyte fed from a syringe... This is usually followed by a couple "shots" of straight pedialyte to assure hydration... Let us know how its going...
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Ben

And wow, next time I'll proof read what the hell I am writing! Sorry, in a hurry!
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Ben

I noticed that the temps in his vibarium have dropped to about 63-65oF could this be the problem?

Thanks for any help,
Justin

low temperatures like that could possibly be a problem, because i remember hearing that pietschmanni comes from warmer areas of madagascar, but still have cool temperatures. id say try to bring it back up to the low 70's at least. i cant guarantee this is the problem though. all i can say is my first phantasticus that died on me started to spend a lot of time on the ground of the enclosure, even sleeping there overnight. never got a chance to find out what was wrong, and i had him for about 6 months prior.

to help us out, why dont you give more specifics about how youve been caring for him. food? enclosure? the more specifics you offer the better the chance someone may help you. but if you are really concerned, the most urgent thing to do is take it to the vet. the problem is finding a vet who has any experience with these geckos.

sometimes i'll notice my lined and mossies hangin out on the ground a day or two before they're going to shed. how long has it been acting this way?

I don't think so. At least he doesn't look like he is.

How long have you had him? If I were you I would keep him in a dark corner of the room and just make sure he is well hydrated keep the crickets or whatever you are feeding to him in a cup as they may pester him. I wouldn't worry about the temps too much. My cage often gets lower than that and in Madagascar the temps can go into the low 50's were pietschmanni lives. Also if he is not eating you can put a little bit of fruit (I've also heard of using chicken or turkey) baby food on the tip of his nose after you have misted him. I wouldn't recommend treating him now for parasites even if he has them as the added stress may kill him. Just try and leave him alone and create as much a stressless place for him as you can.
-Matt

Thanks for everyones help and advice.

I've now raised the temps in his tank to the low 70's and he seems to be of the floor of his viv more.

I've had him for about a couple of months now.

Thanks again,
Justin