Have a question or concern about your crested gecko? You're not alone! These are commonly asked about issues within the crested gecko keeping community.
My new gecko isn't eating, what should I do?
It's extremely common and very normal for a gecko to not eat straight away when moved to a new home - whether from being purchased, or simply from having an enclosure changed. These are very hardy animals that will not allow themselves to starve, and they are not harmed by not eating during their adjustment period. It can take up to one month to begin eating on their own and feeling secure in their new surroundings. The best way to handle this is to leave the animal alone completely unless you absolutely have to handle them for cleaning or vet visits.
My gecko is only eating a little bit! Is he eating enough?
Crested geckos have very small stomachs - if the human stomach is the size of a fist, imagine how small one is inside of a gecko! They don't have the space or the need for very much food. Often, a few licks of prepared diet is plenty, especially in younger geckos. A good rule of thumb to follow is, if you see feces in the enclosure, they are getting their fill.
How can I introduce live food to my gecko?
As we discuss in our care guide , live food is a vital part of this species' diet and enrichment. Some geckos, especially those not offered live food early in life, have trouble registering that "Ah, yes, that wiggly thing is food!" and they need a little help getting started, while others take to it immediately. One of the most successful methods we have used is simply placing a bowl of feeders in the enclosure and leaving them there for up to 48 hours. If this method doesn't work for your geckos, you can try "popping" the feeder - a well gutloaded and hydrated insect will usually erupt into juices after being popped. Tease the gecko with the juicy bits and let them get a taste for it. Most will grab the feeder immediately and readily eat them from that point. Make sure to try a variety of feeder insects! Some are preferred over others and depend on the gecko's individual tastes.
My gecko is losing a lot of weight and has very stinky poop. What should I do?
Unfortunately in a situation like this, a vet visit is almost always necessary. Both of these things are indicators that something is wrong with the gecko internally, and typically lead to a positive fecal. Only a medical professional should be consulted in this case. ARAV.org is an excellent resource for finding an exotics specialist near you.
My gecko is shedding! Should I help?
Crested geckos are a lot smarter than we give credit for. They hatch out of their egg knowing how to do most things they need like finding food and shedding. It's best to leave them alone during this time and make sure their environment is appropriate to help them shed. See our care guide for ideal humidity and temperature ranges. Having something rough in the enclosure like cork bark can really help get the stubborn pieces off. If kept too wet and not offered a rough surface to rub their shed on, we tend to see animals with considerably more stuck shed.
My gecko's tail has fallen off! HELP!
Don't panic! This is more common than you think; in fact, almost every crested gecko found in the wild has lost their tail. They are quite literally designed for this, and they don't need our help at all when this happens. The stump will begin to heal almost immediately and will fully close within 48 hours. You may notice your gecko being a bit off-balance for a few days, but this will pass once they have adjusted to the loss of the tail. There is no need to put the gecko in a "hospital tank" or put any medication on the stump. Let mother nature do what she needs to do.
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