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Garden bugs for Leo's

2K views 40 replies 14 participants last post by  Cluck79 
#1 ·
Hi all. I took Barry to the vets for reasurance and all is OK:2thumb: She is a little small(17g, 5 months old) but will grow twice the size when she is fully grown. The vet actually said it was nice to see a Gecko which is not over weight for a change. Anyway he suggested getting bugs from the garden to feed Barry. Has anyone done this and reccomend which are tried and tested. I have read slugs and snails are not good, but is there anything else I could try. Of course I will still stick to buying, and have found a local reptile shop who could from time to time sell roaches to offer a varied diet as well.
 
#3 ·
It's a risk you just don't have to take. I have friends who do scrape their hedges for insects and spiders for their geckos but don't do it myself. From your own garden should be ok as you know that no pesticides are used there but the risk of catching an insect that has come into contact with pesticides is too great. A ver small amount of pesticide can kill a young gecko so it's just too big a risk to take with no real benefit. Feeding a single Leo costs less than £2 a week, stick to shop bought!
 
#4 ·
you must be kidding...



You've got to be kidding me???? 17g at 5 months??? A healthy Leo should have acheived 18-20g by the time they are 8-10weeks that is terrible. She will be alot more than 'twice' the size when fully grown, a healthy adult female will weigh between 55-85g depending on the polygenetics involved (some are larger). I'm afraid this 'vet' has no idea at all what he is talking about, quite frankly it is scarey and advising you to collect bugs from the garden is nuts, far too many people as standard use pesticides/fertilisers/chemicals on their gardens, any of which could result in a very unhappy ending indeed. I really can't beleive there is a 'professional' out there giving out this kind of shockingly awful advice and more so his so-called assement.
He obviously has no idea what an 'over weight ' leo looks anything like, I would advise finding another vet ASAP and getting this leo health checked and fecal tested right away, as it is not healthy in any shape or form for a 5 month old Leo to be so tiny.
 
#6 ·
What foods have you tired?
 
#9 ·
OP: As Loonymoony has pointed out, I'm afraid that a healthy five month old leo should be much heavier than 17g. Do you have any pics of the littlun that you could post? That might help us get a rough idea of her overall condition and, possibly, guestimate her age (just in case she's not as old as you've been advised).
 
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#15 ·
it is 45x45x60 tank, with cabinate type doors. I think temp is a problem I need to find a way of insulating it more I bought a digital thermometer yesterday and realised temps are a little low 27.6C degrees in the warm size. There are mealies in a proper mealie dish, but I may try the see through type maybe that is the problem.
 
#16 ·
I wouldn`t personally keep a small animal in such a large vivarium.
Can you keep the temperatures warm at night or does it get very cold?

Contrary to what others say I feed my lizards wild caught food in the summer and they are way better for it.Sure you have to be careful about pesticides but if you are sensible there shouldn`t be an issue.I feed grasshoppers,spiders,earthworms and woodlice.Whether you will get you Leo to take eartworms I doubt but they are a really good food.If your gecko isn`t eating anything else its worth a go and sure take it to another vet to get it checked out.Please remember though that most vets dont have good knowledge of reptile medicine,they simply dont come into contact with enough.try to find a reptile specialist.
 
#19 ·
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I need to to find a way to insulate it, as the thermostat is up as high as it will go (34C). I am going to get a UV/heat lamp to boost the temp at the weekend. As well as try and order some roaches, get some fresh bugs, use a clear dish, buy a wet hide. I do have a plan. I just hope it will work. I might tell my son to leave her alone (stop trying to handle her to tame her) as well till we can get her to eat
 
#21 ·
Have you considered buying a wooden viv as these keep the heat in much better than glass ones. You can get a new 2ft viv for £30ish + postage from:

VivExotic 24in Compact Vivarium Ellmau Beech

That may be the only problem is too low temperature and over handling. My gecko as far as I'm aware doesn't eat out his mealworm dish because I've always fed him using tweezers, so if you haven't tried putting the food in front of her give that a shot.

Apparently mushing up the worms might help get her eating, just add some powdered vitamins to it such as Leopard gecko dust etc. You can get mini mealworms if the regular size ones are a bit large for her. Wax worms will help her gain weight if you can get a couple of those in her just be aware they can get addicted to them.
 
#23 ·
Have you considered buying a wooden viv as these keep the heat in much better than glass ones. You can get a new 2ft viv for £30ish + postage from:

VivExotic 24in Compact Vivarium Ellmau Beech

That may be the only problem is too low temperature and over handling. My gecko as far as I'm aware doesn't eat out his mealworm dish because I've always fed him using tweezers, so if you haven't tried putting the food in front of her give that a shot.

Apparently mushing up the worms might help get her eating, just add some powdered vitamins to it such as Leopard gecko dust etc. You can get mini mealworms if the regular size ones are a bit large for her. Wax worms will help her gain weight if you can get a couple of those in her just be aware they can get addicted to them.

Thanks for the advice. I have tried putting them in front of her, even turning her nose up at waxworms at the mo. 45cmX45cm square bottom I think is smaller than 2ft I think?? But wood maybe better for insulating. I will try as a n option if the lights don't work. When I took her to the vets yesterday I was preparing for the worse but he thinks although very small she is otherwise healthy -Although there has been comments she can't be. I don't know, I really don't know. :bash:
 
#25 ·
Hi.

Here's what I'd do.

Get a 2ft wooden viv similar to the one on the other link.
Get a heatmat that will cover around a 3rd of the floor space.
Get a thermostat if not in use already. Also get an accurate digital thermometer, these can come from eBay for a few pounds. Ensure that the thermostat and thermometer probes are next to each other (a rubber band will do) and are measuring the floor level.
Use lino or paper towel as flooring.
Set all this up with a moist hide, several other hides and calcium, water and a dish of mealworms. Theres a good guide for setting up a basic Leo setup here : http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/forums/lizard-care-sheets/699119-how-setup-basic-leopard-gecko.html

Arrange for a full faecal test to be carried out to check for any parasitic infection.

Leave all handling/disturbance to a minimum for at least a week, only clean and feed, preferably during the day to minimise disturbance.

Good luck and keep us posted.
 
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#26 ·
Hi.

Here's what I'd do.

Get a 2ft wooden viv similar to the one on the other link.
Get a heatmat that will cover around a 3rd of the floor space.
Get a thermostat if not in use already. Also get an accurate digital thermometer, these can come from eBay for a few pounds. Ensure that the thermostat and thermometer probes are next to each other (a rubber band will do) and are measuring the floor level.
Use lino or paper towel as flooring.
Set all this up with a moist hide, several other hides and calcium, water and a dish of mealworms. Theres a good guide for setting up a basic Leo setup here : http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/forums/lizard-care-sheets/699119-how-setup-basic-leopard-gecko.html

Arrange for a full faecal test to be carried out to check for any parasitic infection.

Leave all handling/disturbance to a minimum for at least a week, only clean and feed, preferably during the day to minimise disturbance.

Good luck and keep us posted.
Thank you I have all of that except I have reptile carpet stuff and a glass viv. There are 2 hides. I will when she poo's (after she has eaten) try and arrange the test - Do I take into any vets???
 
#28 ·
Barry looks a reasonably decent weight to me Reptile Forums - Cluck79's Album: Barry the Leopard Gecko I would say she is younger than 5 months. I know from your other thread that you are addressing the heat problem so that should make a huge difference. I would seriously suggest that you persuade your son to stop the handling for the time being - until she is eating properly.

I use wild bugs for my lizards BUT I can guarantee that they are caught in a pesticide / chemical free envirnonment. They can be a very valuable food source. Woodlice are good as are spiders and cabbage white catepillars, but native insects will be scarce at this time of year.
 
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#30 ·
Hi.
First of all dont be overwhellmed by the amount of info being thrown at you lol.
It seems that you are trying to address the heat issue, which is the main thing. Leos take in belly heat from the floor (heat mat is ideal) to help them digest their food, so it can have a significant affect on appetite.

To me it looks nearer 5 weeks than 5 months. I'd say it's probably about 2-3 months old. It certainly looks a healthy weight, so your vet was spot on in tht respect.
I would say that its easier to guarentee the safety of shop-bought bugs for use, and there are plenty of websites that deliver them straight to your door (www.livefoods.co.uk for example), so I wouldn't risk using any from the garden. Aart from anything else, you'll constantly be worrying if it's ok or not lol.

If you are struggling to reach temps, have the mat inside the tank and only cover it with a sheet of kitchen roll. With a proper stat (set at 30-31C) you should have no problem with the little one being burnt. Just check the max /min temps hourly when you first set it up.

I would encourage a fecal exam (PALS is very cheap and reliable) once it's pooped.
Leave some mealies in its tank. Count them in so you know if they've been eaten or not.

One of my own doesnt much like mealies, but she goes mad for crickets or locusts, so you could try these. Id avoid wax worms at this stage as it will just fatten ur leo up quickly so that you wont know if there is still an issue.

It looks perfectly healthy to me condition wise, so dont panic too much. Just keep handling to a min just now. If it is poorly, the last thing you want is to stress it out and let any internal bugs take over.

Good Luck
xx
 
#32 ·
I agree.....

I agree with Jools and gecko girl, the Leo photographed looks to be of a stable weight ratio, with resonable tail reserves and proportional in size, which is great news, this is def just a case of the seller being dishonest or very mis-informed, I would hazard a guess that she is no more than a perhaps 8-12 weeks. Now it's just down to you sorting her set up as others are helping you with and letting her settle in.
 
#33 ·
I agree with Jools and gecko girl, the Leo photographed looks to be of a stable weight ratio, with resonable tail reserves and proportional in size, which is great news, this is def just a case of the seller being dishonest or very mis-informed, I would hazard a guess that she is no more than a perhaps 8-12 weeks. Now it's just down to you sorting her set up as others are helping you with and letting her settle in.
Thanks to the people who've given me support. I'm hoping those who have seen the pictures can see she's not damaged or ill looking just very small. I am buying a new viv tomorrow and starting again she is defo more than 8 weeks as thats how long we've had her in total. We were told she was 2-3 months when she was bought (oh and a boy which has disappointed my son lol). Have spoken to my local reptile pet shop and they have asked me to bring her in to fit her with the right sized viv:2thumb:. I am going to get a wooden one as many have said are better than glass. I think she just doesn't like mealies and will go back to trying crickets again. Leave her again in her new home for 2 weeks to settle and start again. Hopefully the last time I need to stress her out.
 
#34 ·
You'll be able to tell her sex after 6 months of age for definite, I spent 2 years thinking my leo was a she and in fact it was a he lol. Never mind, he's stuck with the name Jiniwin now because I can't change it. Good job he's a pretty boy!
 
#39 ·
I got a load of youngsters recently and all were quite nervous of me and of their new homes at first (I even had a couple of screamers among them) so I only tended to their food and water and a bit of spot-cleaning for the first week or two
after that everytime I was in their enclosure I would slowly offer them my hand so they could have a little 'lick' and they would know who I was and that I wasn't a threat to them, now after about 6 or 7 weeks some of them will come over and try to climb on my hand when I'm doing maintenance in their tanks, they're very inquisitive and I've even named one little male Parker because he's so nosy
So if you take it nice and easy, you'll soon have a gecko that loves to get a bit of attention, and if it's comfortable in it's own home, and more importantly eating like a little trooper
Keep us posted on your progress : victory:
 
#40 ·
hey, i got my leo from a very reputable reptile shop, she was a very fussy eater and only weighed 13g at 6 months (i had to wait till she was 15g to come home which once they found out what she liked it took 1 week) , she had a very slim tail. but once the shop found out what she liked shes not stopped eating. ive had her exactly a month and she now weighs 25g and wolfs down the locusts.

so keep hope up, get viv setup perfect and try every type of insect you can get your hands on that are safe for leos, and try all sizes that she can manage she may be scared by the bigger sizes.

good luck and she looks healthy !!

p.s i know not much help but fort id give you a success story of a small size -to- age gecko
 
#41 ·
Thank-you much needed, the shop I spent a lot of time and money in a reptile shop on sat. I have bought a whole new set up. I gave her crickets, actually bigger than I've used before and she's eaten. I'm pretty sure she took 2 yesterday. I've moved her to her new home so left her tonight will feed tomorrow . I think it might be crickets, god I hope he he. The guy in the shop was amazing I showed him pictures and we looked at his to compare sizes. I have been crucified on this site for trying my best. Thank-you for the positive comment
 
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