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Hi there - We usually escape for long weekends to the cottage, usually 3 nights, 4 days. I left some CGD in with him last weekend that I had frozen, thinking it would last longer - but couldn't believe how moldy it was on Sun. night. Scared he may get sick eating it. Any suggestions on feeding for that many days away. I've heard that if you leave crickets in there it will drive them crazy and they could get bit. Is that true? What if I leave cricket food in there too? Thanks for your help

I'm amazed that you can leave him that long without misting, first of all, but maybe I'm TOO vigilant about keeping the humidity up. Yes, the CGD does mold quickly, even smelling "off" by the next morning sometimes and it's probably better to get rid of it then and start fresh next time. Does your gecko spend his sleeping time on the glass? Crickets cannot climb glass, so if he does, you can probably leave some crickets in with him without worry. If you have a choice, maybe leave slightly smaller crix than he is used to, to minimize damage they could do and temporarily hiding some crix food where the gecko is unlikely to find it is probably a good idea, too. (My geckos are pretty picky eaters and avoid what they don't recognize.) Remember too, that as long as water is available, they can go without food for as long as a week if necessary, probably longer. If you're in a warm climate, keep the air conditioning on so it doesn't cook while you're gone if temps rise suddenly. Enjoy your break!
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Terri
6:10:9 crested geckos: Bear, Goldfish, Kermit, Brimstone, WildSpatter-Spots-to-Spare, White Lips, Big Red, Olive, Smudge, Belle, Brilliant, Tina, Brick, Toni, Beauty, Shine, Randi(y), Squeak, Bling, SqueakII, Stripe, Redhead, Speckles, Fudgefire & BlackCherryMarble (2 brand new hatchlings).

a few days before you leave mist well, morning and night to keep him well hydrated, and then the morning you leave mist well again and provide a water bowl, and then when you get home mist again, if you have a house sitter or relative that you could teach to mist (it's easy enough) that would be much better, and i agree that in the summer like this, depending on where you live and what your weather is like, you should definitely keep the AC on at a reasonable temp while you're gone.

i usually feed well before i leave too, feed them crickets the night before you leave, and put some baby food or CGD in the day you leave and maybe a few more crickets and they will be fine until you get home.
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RhacRoom.com An Online Rhacodactylus Community
www.rhacroom.com

Thanks for the replys. I actually purchased an automatic mister on sale not to long ago and have it set up when we are away on weekends. I also have seen him at his water bowl - so I know he uses it. I gues my main concern was if the CGD gets moldy so fast, is leaving a handful of crickets in there over the weekend a good alternative. He sleeps both on the glass and in leaves and branches provided. I had just read somewhere that leaving the crickets in with them stresses them and you should take the left overs out the next morning...

i think thats directed at people that over feed, i give my cresteds between 5 and 8 crickets per feeding, and they devour them, especially in summer like this there appetite seems to be double what it normally is.
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RhacRoom.com An Online Rhacodactylus Community
www.rhacroom.com

Plus I've noticed that with mine once they get fed crickets, they just aren't that hungry for a few nights thereafter. I use that info when I know I'll have to miss a usual feeding due to meetings/classes in town and just feed crix the night before. I usually feed mine every other night this time of year, and every third night in winter (except for hatchlings; I feed them nightly.) If you don't have misting to worry about, I should think your gecko will be fine for a few days.
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Terri
6:10:12 crested geckos: Bear, Goldfish, Kermit, Brimstone, WildSpatter-Spots-to-Spare, White Lips, Big Red, Olive, Smudge, Belle, Brilliant, Tina, Brick, Toni, Beauty, Shine, Randi(y), Squeak, Bling, Squeaker, Stripe, Redhead, Speckles, Harrys, Penny, BonusBaby, Fudgefire & BlackCherryMarble (last 2 r new hatchlings).