Leo stopped eating like a tank :( Please help

[retic720]

My leo used to eat MWs like a tank and had no problems with eating except for the past few weeks. She would either only eat 1 or 2 per week (she used to finish 6 MW's in 3 days) but there would be times she would just ignore them.

She's kept in a tub where I used to keep my ball python; no substrate (i just wipe the mess clean with a damp tissue paper), and has access to water. I feed the MW's in an overturned mayo jar lid.

THe MW's are gutloaded with dogfood pellets and lettuces. Right now, I've withheld food until perhaps tomorrow Wed. (started withholding last saturday).

Her cage is in my room; which also hosts the cages of my bp, 2 retics and 1 afrock. Since I live in Manila, I have no need for a heating pad/whatnot.

So far...this makes me want to wish I just stuck to pythons

Thanks for the help...I'd hate to sell him off at a lower price to a more experienced leo keeper.

[fallupinreverse]

What size meal worms are you offering? How old/big is the leo? How many hides do you have in the tub? Could you post a pic of the set-up? Do you have a proper thermometer keeping an eye on your temps that you say are fine? I'm sure Manila is warm, but Ideally a Leo should be kept at around 90-94 degrees.

Eating one or two meal worms per week could mean a very serious issue with your Leo. I'm sure that he/she has lost a significant amount of weight, and it scares me to hear a Leo eating that little.

[retic720]

thanks for the reply bro

She lives alone in the tub. She would hunt down crix but in the end, she gave them (and supers) up for mealworms.

Her tail hasn't slimmed down (my cousin claimed her tail got "slightly" thinner) and her "energy level" (aka, activity when interacting) hasn't waned either. I'm worried myself that she doesn't seem to eat that much anymore and nothing much has changed (I did add an additional hide). I'll try feeding her 5 tomorrow and see if she's hungry. Body weight seems consistent tho.

Are leos known to be picky eaters based on their mood? I never had this problem with my 4 pythons

[Boanerges]

You never mentioned how old she is. She could be ovulating. A vet visit to do a fecal would rule out parasites. And you didn't mention what the temp of your warm side is? Hopefully she will come around for you

[retic720]

i'd say a yearling. nah. she hasn't met other leos yet

never bothered checking the temps coz I live in "retic country"; room temp here is perfect for keeping retics

[fallupinreverse]

If she is a yearling she could be ovulating, it's a natural process that happens with or without male interaction, so that could be the issue. I don't know much about females ovulating but from what I've read they can become very fussy eaters during that time.

The fact that her tail hasn't slimmed down a significant amount is a good sign.

I agree with the other poster, it may be worth it to get a fecal done at a vet.

Do you have anything available to test the temperature? I don't know much about retics, so I don't know what temps they are kept at.

[retic720]

Hmm. So lemme confirm. My sisters tend to eat more when they're "ovulating"...so I take it the reverse is true for leopard geckos?

I can obtain one of those devices used to monitor temps and humidity (a friend of mine had one when he owned a Rainbow boa) to confirm.

GOOD NEWS:

I left 6 mealies last night. She ate 3. I took them away and will feed her again tomorrow.

[fallupinreverse]

From what I've read, yes, leopard geckos will eat significantly less during breeding season.

It would be a good idea to get one of those devices, yes .

Glad to hear the news! As long as you have a dish that is deep enough so that the meal worms cannot climb out of it (which would be worth getting if you don't!) you should be fine leaving meal worms in the enclosure for her to eat as she pleases.

[retic720]

UPDATE:

She decided to eat like a pig. Will replenish her MW stash this week.

[Boanerges]

That's very good news!!! Congrats