In my opinion, 12 days with only one cricket is definitely reason for concern.
Have you tried other types of food items? Crickets are probably the best all-around food but other prey items like meal worms will work too. It could be that this gecko has been raised on something other than crickets. Try some meal worms. King meal worms (Zophobas morio) are relished by some leopard geckos but are usually considered too rich for constant use. Be sure to remove food items once the gecko has decided he's not going to eat them. Then, after a day or two, offer food again. A nine month old leopard gecko should be eating medium to large crickets. If you offer crickets that are way too small it could explain his disinterest. A lot can be learned by observing a gecko, noting various aspects of his physique such as the diameter of his tail, the manner in which he moves, etc. Without actually observing the gecko it's hard for us to assess his health. Pet stores as a rule don't do a very good job of producing healthy animals. Of course, there are numerous exceptions to this generality. A nine month old leopard should be nearly full grown, I recommend you consider buying a quality book on Leopard geckos such as the Leopard Gecko Manual byVosjoli et al or Lyle's book, An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet, the Leopard Gecko. I commend you for your obvious desire to do what's right fo your little friend. If you can find a vet that is trained/experienced in reptiles, you should consider taking your gecko in for an examination and a check for internal parasites. Also, if you are in a large metropolitan area you could hook up with a herp society where members may be able to help assess your gecko's health in person. Regarding the previous comments on your substrate and your heating setup, they may not have been helpful in determining your gecko's health but they certainly were pertinent in setting him up properly. I've never seen that "rabbit pellet " substrate in use anywhere but in petshops. Leopard geckos are ground dwellers and have no use at all for a climbing branch. Probably you were encouraged to buy it by the pet shop. The comment regarding the wattage of your your overhead bulb also occurred to me as I read your earlier email. On small 10 or 20 gallon aquariums I've never known a 100 watt bulb to be necessary. Also, and this is important, you should have a nighttime temperature drop into the 70's. I could continue with my comments but, the bottom line is that it's hard to help much without being able to see your setup and your animal. See a vet if you can and buy a book as soon as you get a chance. I wish you the best of luck. Jim Chapman/Ogden UT [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >hi everyone, > >i've been posting recently about my 9 month old male leopard >gecko, Teagan. as i've stated in several emails prior to >this one, i've had him for about 12 days now, and he's only >eaten one cricket. i've gotten a million responses, but no >one has really answered my question or made me feel much >better about what i know... i've had comments that my >substrate might not be good, but that it probably has >nothing to do with his not eating, since he hasn't appeared >to eat the substrate. i've been told how odd it is that it >takes a 100 watt bulb to get his tank to the normal 85-88 >degree range... but none of this really helps me understand >what's going on with him. > >i know everyone is trying to give me important advice, and >trust me i'm taking it to heart... but i really do need some >help here. i dont know whether i should call a vet or what! > >so here's the lowdown one more time - if you have any >relevant suggestions as to what to do about his not eating, >please let me know. > >like i said, he's 9 months old according to the pet store, >no more than 5 inches long, and he's in a 10 gallon tank. >he has a humid hide on the warm side, and a dry hide on the >cool side. his water dish is in between, and he has a >climbing branch. i have a bottle cap of reptocal in with >him. his tank is steady around 85-86 degrees on the warm >end. he's been acting normal: climbing branches, basking, >drinking water, licking his reptocal, being curious in >general. but when i put crickets in with him, he's just not >interested. he's eaten one in the 12 days that i've had >him. he still looks okay, doesnt look any different than >the day we brought him home. but he's my first reptile of >any kind... i dont know what to look for if there's >something wrong. > >please, i really could use some advice from people who've >had leos before. is this a typical adjustment period? how >much longer should i wait before i really worry? or should >i be worried now? i'm sorry to be posting all of this >again, but i really don't feel that i've gotten a good, >straight answer about HIM yet, just about my inexperience >with reptiles and setup. i'm trying, but i need a little >help. thanks. > >Anna > >########################################################################### > THE GLOBAL GECKO ASSOCIATION LISTSERV > WebSite: www.gekkota.com Archive: [EMAIL PROTECTED]/ > The GGA takes no responsibility for the contents of these postings. >########################################################################### > >
