Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ever since he started shedding earlier this week (maybe monday?), he hasn't eaten more than one or two crickets, and he has been much more reclusive. Is this normal? How long should this go on? It's harder to guage his shedding than that of a beardie, because leos eat their shed skin. There was some shed skin in the tank though. I actually think it was tuesday when I found it...it was shed skin from his face, and since then he hasn't eaten hardly any food. He did poop on thursday, but not again since then.

So basically, is this normal? He's my first leo and of course I want to do everything right, so having him go from eating up to 8 or 9 small/medium crix a day to none is really freaking me out. Plus, before we would actually see him out of his hide every now and then, but now the only time he's out of his hides is when he's just switching from the warm side hide to the cool side hide or vice versa. He's only around 6 monthes old so I figured that meant it couldn't be brumation, but that's only drawing from my experience with bearded dragons and uros.

It's normal for leos to stop eating before, while and after they shed. It's not really normal for it to take that long for them to shed though. You said he started on tues and isn't done yet? Mine shed in like an hour, maybe he hasn't gotten the hang of it yet. Give him a soak in warm water that will help the rest of the skin to loosen up and come off.
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Katie F.
Peach State Geckos
Breeding Mealworms
My Email

I'm not sure if it's not that he's not done shedding yet or something, or more that he's just stressed out about something. I think taking him out for a soak might cause even more stress, so I don't think that would be the best course of action right now. I'll try offering crix again today.

Am I right in assuming that he won't go into brumation this year if he is only 6-7 monthes old?

Usually if kept at the same temp leos don't go into brumation. If he has enough fat stored up you could lower the temps a little bit and see if thats why he's not moving around or eating that much.
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Katie F.
Peach State Geckos
Breeding Mealworms
My Email

Well, I've noticed that lately he's sticking to the cool hide. COULD he go into brumation at just 6-7 monthes if it did seem like time? I don't change the temps in my other cages, and somehow they still know when it's time to brumate. I'm just wondering if he has the ability? If so, how should I keep track of if he is or not. Do I just check on him periodically to make sure he isn't losing weight like I do my bearded dragon?

I would say he could. If he starts slowing down a little you can periodically check up on him but make sure you still leave some food (like a bowl of meallies)in the cage just in case he wants to eat.
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Katie F.
Peach State Geckos
Breeding Mealworms
My Email

I think that's what I'll do. It's either got to be stress or just slowing down because it's getting a little cooler or the days are getting shorter, so I'll keep a bowl of crix in there (with pinched legs) at all times. As long as he is seen moving around or there are signs that he was out, I won't bother him, but if he hasn't eaten in a little less than a week, I'll check on him. I think by then if it is parasites or something, I would see some change in his weight or the thickness of his tail, right?

I think it might be stress though, because I had to pick him up to change his paper towels to shelf liner last weekend, and then he shed, and I changed some stuff in his tank (which I regret doing now), so I think it might just be a lot to take in. If he starts showing signs that he's getting sick, I'll take him to the vet. I just checked the temps and noticed they were a little low (air temps above the heat pad were low eighties and the heat pad was mid eighties) so I'll get that back up to ninety and see if he eats any crickets by morning.

a few more ideas to chk...
first, if there was a peice of shed skin in his cage, your hudimity is just slightly too low (it didn't come off in one eaten peice), chk that. also, if it didn't come off in one peice, thereis a Very good chance he still has some stuck, esp. on his little toes. check them. if there is skin on there, is is constricting blood flow and making him uncomfortable (not to mention putting his toes in danger), may be why he's not eating.
second, it is not impossible for a leo to brumate at that age, and some of mine do it on their own based on sunlight hours. solstice will be Dec 21. jus something to remember. If he insists, offer food less often, but regularly (maybe 2x/week) and don't stress about it unless he starts losing weight.
Make sure your UTH is attached correctly. they do fall off, and that can lower temps.
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1.0 Blizzard Bill
1.0 Hypo stripe 100% het Rainwater from JL (BJ)
1.0 HypoTang from Crested (Apricot)
1.0 Tremper Albino Hypo (Cloud)
0.3 Normal/Hi-Yellow Leopard gecko (Beatrice, Goldie (now w/SD), Freckles, Pepper)
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0.0.2 Corn Snakes (MIA)
RIP Peaches, Ghost

Is there any way I can tell if the shed was complete or not without distressing him too much?

unfortunately, you are going to have to check him visually yourself. there is no other way to tell if it was eaten or not shed off. if he is calm w/handling, you should be able to get a good enough look without restraining him tho
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1.0 Blizzard Bill
1.0 Hypo stripe 100% het Rainwater from JL (BJ)
1.0 HypoTang from Crested (Apricot)
1.0 Tremper Albino Hypo (Cloud)
0.3 Normal/Hi-Yellow Leopard gecko (Beatrice, Goldie (now w/SD), Freckles, Pepper)
0.1 SHCT Leopard Gecko (Brite)
0.1 Tangy Mutt Leopard Gecko (Rainbow)
0.0.2 Corn Snakes (MIA)
RIP Peaches, Ghost