Can I ask your advice in regards to a MUCH smaller lizard?
Yesterday, I took in my ex-neighbor's leopard gecko. He's about 3 years old, alert, docile... and thin. Said neighbor bought the gecko for her 11 year old daughter, and left him entirely in her care "to teach her responsibility". This woman was also a bit nutty (hardcore PETA type) and actually said to me once that she "disliked buying crickets from the store because she didn't want to support the production of something that was bread just to die, and would much rather catch crickets in her yard because at least they had a chance of escape". Yes, crazy... why do you ask? Heh.
I tried time and time again to explain what a bad idea it was to feed wildcaught crickets (parasites, pesticides, etc.) but she would hear none of it. "I don't use pesticides in my yard!" No? But what about your neighbors?
And when she WOULD buy crickets at the store... she would only buy the small ones because her daughter didn't like the noise the large ones made. (They purchased the gecko from a reptile show at about a year and a half of age... he should have been eating larger crickets.)
So, his past two years were spent like this... getting fed mostly wild caught crickets when the girl would actually remember to catch some (which wasn't on a regular basis by any means).
I have gutloaded crickets for him, as well as waxworms to help him put on some weight. Any other suggestions? Should I be dusting the food? Would you recommend getting a fecal done as well? I have him quarantined from my snakes at the moment because who knows what sort of parasites he could have picked up. Is that being paranoid, or am I on the right track there?
I was also curious on your opinion on the whole crickets vs. mealworms debate?
If he's been fed wild crickets, a parasite screening is definitely called for, and may show part of the reason for his thinness.
What you're doing sounds good, and the only things I'd add is mealworms (just to get him fatter), maybe silkworms (nutritious and delicious but expensive and a pain in the ass to keep), and if you need to induce feeding, you can try meat-based babyfood.
As far as crickets vs mealworms, I use both for my leopard gecko, but only feed mealworms rarely because of the high fat content.
Heh... no need to induce feeding here. He is quite the enthusiastic feeder.... inhaling the worms, chasing down the crickets, and the proceeding to check his food bowl again and again wondering why there aren't more worms in it.
Oh man... silkworms have got to be a messy meal! Hahaha. Do mealworms have more fat than the waxworms? I thought the waxworms were fattier?
I will definitely get a fecal done asap though... some meds for that (if there is a parasite issue) plus a more consistant diet and I expect he'll be as he should be in no time. I hope.
Can I ask your advice in regards to a MUCH smaller lizard?
Yesterday, I took in my ex-neighbor's leopard gecko. He's about 3 years old, alert, docile... and thin. Said neighbor bought the gecko for her 11 year old daughter, and left him entirely in her care "to teach her responsibility". This woman was also a bit nutty (hardcore PETA type) and actually said to me once that she "disliked buying crickets from the store because she didn't want to support the production of something that was bread just to die, and would much rather catch crickets in her yard because at least they had a chance of escape". Yes, crazy... why do you ask? Heh.
I tried time and time again to explain what a bad idea it was to feed wildcaught crickets (parasites, pesticides, etc.) but she would hear none of it. "I don't use pesticides in my yard!" No? But what about your neighbors?
And when she WOULD buy crickets at the store... she would only buy the small ones because her daughter didn't like the noise the large ones made. (They purchased the gecko from a reptile show at about a year and a half of age... he should have been eating larger crickets.)
So, his past two years were spent like this... getting fed mostly wild caught crickets when the girl would actually remember to catch some (which wasn't on a regular basis by any means).
I have gutloaded crickets for him, as well as waxworms to help him put on some weight. Any other suggestions? Should I be dusting the food? Would you recommend getting a fecal done as well? I have him quarantined from my snakes at the moment because who knows what sort of parasites he could have picked up. Is that being paranoid, or am I on the right track there?
I was also curious on your opinion on the whole crickets vs. mealworms debate?
Thanks!!
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What you're doing sounds good, and the only things I'd add is mealworms (just to get him fatter), maybe silkworms (nutritious and delicious but expensive and a pain in the ass to keep), and if you need to induce feeding, you can try meat-based babyfood.
As far as crickets vs mealworms, I use both for my leopard gecko, but only feed mealworms rarely because of the high fat content.
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Oh man... silkworms have got to be a messy meal! Hahaha. Do mealworms have more fat than the waxworms? I thought the waxworms were fattier?
I will definitely get a fecal done asap though... some meds for that (if there is a parasite issue) plus a more consistant diet and I expect he'll be as he should be in no time. I hope.
Anyways, thanks! :)
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