I have a female Leopard Gecko. I've put gut-loaded, dusted crickets into her habitat, and she acts likes she wants nothing to do with them.
Any ideas of how to get her to eat? Dishes? Methods? Other foods?
I know that crickets are better for Leopards, but if I dust mealworms would that work just as well?
Thanks!
2007-01-28 14:19:35 · 8 answers · asked by yffit22 1 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
I have a Leopard Gecko book, and I've done what it has said and she still isn't eating.
The crickets I've put in are alive, so just watches them go by.
2007-01-28 14:33:54 · update #1
To solve your problem, I'd try a few simple tests. First, feed undusted crickets. If she eats them, then it is simply the fact that she doesn't like the dust (as was the case with my golden tegu at one point). If she doesn't eat the crickets, try mealworms (I cut their heads off to be safe), if she eats them, it's a matter of variety. Remember that some herps like to have a varied diet. Pending on her size, you could even try cockroaches and even different types of worm. I remember my gecko loving moths. Pending on the brand of gut load you buy, you might not have to dust your crickets anyway since most gut loads come with with calcium. Try out some different stuff and hopefully you'll get an answer. Make sure she also has proper lighting and heat (which I hope you do).
Good Luck with your Leopard!
2007-01-28 21:14:43 · answer #1 · answered by Akuma 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does she eat the crickets that aren't dusted? Maybe you're using too much of the calcium/vitamin powder. I've had geckos and skinks that wouldn't eat them either unless it was a very light dusting.
Gutloading with a variety of foods is a better choice. I rotate dry cat food, whole grained cereals, and veggies with vitamin/calcium powder.
As long as she's eating non-dusted food, I'd say she's okay. If she's not eating at all, I'd double check her tank temperatures. If all's okay there, she might be impacted.
2007-01-28 14:32:15 · answer #2 · answered by copperhead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably not, you have to remember that Geckos are a type of lizard, and that as such she's more attuned to her more instinctual side. As a former lizard owner I can tell you with ease that your dusted and dead critters will hold no interest to a lizard, and thats because she can't see them move. A cricket, moving around and chirping, will catch the attention of the lizard, and as such will trigger instincts that will have her rushing forward to snap up the tasty morsel. So be respectful of her inner nature and give her live crickets, otherwise you'll just end up killing her, slowly.
2007-01-28 14:26:47 · answer #3 · answered by winds_of_justice 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah meal worms would work, try vegetables and different crickets, maybe you gecko doesn't like the ones you gave it.
2007-01-28 14:25:11 · answer #4 · answered by wolverineguy1245 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
hi there, i have several leo... perhaps your feeding the crickets to big, and to much, if it's a baby try the pinhead crickets, perhaps the other are to big, try wax worms as well there good and have a lot of protein for her, you can try meal worms but wax worms are better.
2007-01-28 16:46:25 · answer #5 · answered by melissa b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to barns and nobles, buy a book on how to take care of Leopard Geckos, read it
2007-01-28 14:27:44 · answer #6 · answered by ☆Stranger in a Sunset☆ 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes also try smaller crickets.
2007-01-28 16:06:29 · answer #7 · answered by Melissa A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
talk to other leopard gecko owners.
2007-01-28 15:47:46 · answer #8 · answered by yo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋