Reptile & Amphibian Forums

about two months ago my husband recieved a gecko for his birthday...to replace another that had passed away .... well anyways the story goes like this... we were told he/she was a leopard gecko... not so sure anymore.. little Monty hasn't grown any, ie stayed the same size, and Monty's tail hasn't fattened up at all...we being new to this breed of gecko and not knowing much about the poor little guy decided to take him in to a pet shop that sells reptiles. The gentle man that was working seemed too know what he was talking about but i still have suspicions. this gentle man was "pretty" sure Monty was a central american banded gecko could some one please help me out here and maybe tell for sure????

Definitely a baby leopard gecko. So sweet!

Colleen

Definately a Leopard Gecko. I am a little worried for it. It looks very very thin. Is it eating every day or 2? Are you using calcium with D3? Do you have any sort of heat for him? I noticed you are using moist eco earth or bed a beast......he needs to be DRY. I would put him on some paper towl and then feed him. If it doesnt eat it needs to go to a vet. Also, how warm are you keeping it?

I hope it gets better!

John

I have a CA Banded and a lot of Leopard geckos...that is 100% a skinny baby leopard gecko...nothing NEAR a Banded!!

I agree with John completely-- please consider switching to paper towels as substrate (sand can cause deadly impaction, the earthy stuff you're using attracts too much humidity and will cause nasty respiratory infection). Perhaps check out the Leopard Gecko forum? There are many knowledable people there who love their Leos.

It is dire that you get your temperatures correct on both sides of the tank for the species, that you dust your prey with a calcium/vitamin supplement to avert metabolic bone disease, and that the leo has a humid hide to assist with shedding.

Good luck! He's cute...and stay AWAY from that pet store! If they can't tell a CA Banded apart from a Leo, they might as well be selling you an iguana as a corn snake.
-----
Too many Leos
1.0 feline "Spot"
0.1 canine "Tika"

okay thanks everyone for their imput... just a few more photos to add so that you can get a better idea...my main concern here is to find out exactly what kind of gecko he is and how to properly care for him/her... just to answer a few of the question that you guys have asked... 1) monty keeps refusing to eat meal worms and wax worms although we try repeatly at least once to twice a week to try and feed them to him/her and the crickets we buy are the smallest ones the shop has to offer. 2) we keep his tank at about (or try the best we know how to) 86-90 on one end and between 68-80 on the other end... 3) we were using a calci sand (bone aid i believe it is called) as the subsurate till 6/30 with your guy's comments we decided till we know more information that we would just clean the forest ground stuff out and put paper towel down... 4)we have no idea how old he/she is.... okay that said any more comments or suggestions????? thanks a ton also if any of you live in the mid michigan area do you know of a reptile vet that can help us out????thanks again, the hills chad and heidi

oh yeah i forgot a few things...sorry blonde day.... from the tip of his nose to the vent... i was wrong aobut how long he was with the ruler in his cage i would say he is between 3 1/2 to 4 inches not the 5 i was saying before my bad i can't measure

He's so cute! ... sorry, soft spot for babies

I think its awesome that you guys are asking so many questions, getting help, and trying to find a good herp vet. I would try posting in the Leopard Gecko Forum about finding a reptile vet in Michigan.

Leopard Gecko Forum:
http://forums.kingsnake.com/forum.php?catid=50

The warm side of the tank sounds just fine. Try to keep the cool side from getting lower than 74-75. Make sure he has enough hides, at least one humid, and that he's in a quiet place away from windows, lots of people, and drafts.

Without more detail its difficult to tell why Monty doesn't seem to be eating well. He looks skinny, but alert and not emaciated. Few week old crickets are perfect. Just remember to remove the uneaten ones from the cage because they will nibble on little Monty and can harm him. Some of my leopard geckos won't eat wax worms because they don't move as much as other prey. He should be eating the meal worms...maybe he gets "performance anxiety"? With shy ones, I always put dinner in, turn off the lights, and leave the room. Without me watching, they eat fine.

Make sure he is getting a 12 hour light/dark cycle if possible (ie, no bright lights at night and a quiet room). When you find a vet, get a fecal exam done to check for parasites (very common).

The best thing you can do is research Leopard Geckos on the internet and learn as much as you can. Incorrect husbandry accounts for much of the problems and illnesses people experience with their geckos. Fortunately, you guys sound like you're doing an excellent job of trying to help your little guy out! Leos are awesome geckos and well worth it -- very rewarding to own.

Good Luck!
-----
Too many Leos
1.0 feline "Spot"
0.1 canine "Tika"

Definitely a baby leopard gecko, and definitely not in good health. Judging by the fact that you had it on Calci-sand, my guess would be you might have a case of impaction on your hands. I'm near detroit, but I lived in Lansing for many years. There's a pet-store in Okemos/Haslett (Corner of Okemos and Haslett roads) called Preuss's. If you ask them there, they'll be able to help you find a good herp vet. There are several in the area, but I trust the judgement of the Preuss's staff.

hey thanks for the suggestion of calling preuss's they were very kind and helpful...

okay i have an appt. with a herp vet tommorow morning....we will see whats wrong with poor little monty. thank you again everyone for your input and suggestions
the hills chad and heidi

What did the vet say? And who did you end up going to?

well the doctor at ceder creek vet hospital said definitaly a leo. and that he has seen several little guys with montys problem...probally his brothers and sisters, that came from the same store and unfornatlly some had died . but on the bright side monty has pep to her and a will to live so that was a good thing. the problem a small single celled parasite that causes the stomach to stop contracting resulting in a constant "full" feeling. we recieved some antibiotics (which i note monty wants nothing to do with!!!) and some powder food which we have to mix with water and feed via a syringe (which monty does like!!! we think).. so hopefully all will go well and monty will get better soon. just incase you all want to know the vet bill was $40 for the exam, $11 for the food, and $18 for the antibiotic...yeah nice little dent in the pocket book but hopefully it will help poor little monty in the long run right?? thanks for everyones concern and suggestions. will post pictures as he grows and gets better!!! the hills chad heidi and of course monty

n/p