Why is my leopard gecko hiding and not eating? I’m sure I can’t be the only one who has ever found their leopard gecko completely hidden in a dark corner of its terrarium, not moving.
It’s hard to know what is going on when they are this way.
Is it just sleeping?
Has something scared it?
Is it sick or injured?
The last thing that you want is for your leopard gecko to stop eating because you’re not sure what’s wrong with them. This blog post will help you figure out why your little friend might be hiding and not eating so that everything can go back to normal!
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Why Is My Leopard Gecko Hiding and Not Eating?
If your gecko is stressed, he will not eat. If you see a leopard gecko hiding and hissing, it might be stressed.
You’ll need to figure out what the problem is and remove it from the environment of the gecko. It can take a while for an animal to get used to a new home, so don’t worry if they stop eating for a few days after moving in.
1. Brumation
Brumation is a natural process that some geckos go through.
If your gecko is not eating and you live in a temperate region where it gets cold, he might be brumating. Brumation is similar to hibernation, but the animal wakes up every few weeks to eat and drink.
If this is happening, you should provide him with a heating pad if necessary and try to mimic his natural environment as best as you can. A warm rock or artificial light will keep him from sleeping too long.
If it’s actually brumation, there is nothing you need to do except provide him with a heating pad if necessary.
It does cost money, however, to run one all night long.
You should also take care not to wake up your gecko when he is brumating.
If you let him sleep, his metabolism will decrease and release all of the fat he has stored.
This will make him healthier for the duration of hibernation or brumation period. One way to tell if your gecko is dead after it seems that he’s hiding and not eating is to check for body warmth.
If it feels cold, there might be a problem. Even if there isn’t, it doesn’t hurt to check every day!
2. Stress
A stressed leopard gecko will flare at other animals and humans alike.
In the wild, they do this as a warning sign for predators as well as rivals. In captivity, however, they are mostly doing it out of fear. A stressed gecko will not eat, and this can be deadly.
It is important that you find out why your leopard gecko is hiding and not eating.
3. Low Humidity Levels
If the humidity in his tank is too low, he might be trying to bury himself in moist soil so that he can shed properly. If it’s too high, try using an automatic mister or turn on the room humidifier. His substrate should always be moist but not wet.
This can cause him to get sick with both upper respiratory infections (URI) and bloat.
4. Eating Old Skin During Shedding
If your leopard gecko is shedding and only seems to be eating his old skin, he might have an infection or parasites.
Use a cotton swab to get some of the shed skin and check it under a microscope to make sure everything looks okay. It can also be helpful to monitor your gecko’s behavior through the process of molting (shedding).
If you see him eating live ants or other insects that are having trouble walking, he might be sick or have parasites.
Be very careful because the situation could get out of hand quickly!
5. Lack of Supplements
Leopard geckos are carnivores and they require a lot of calcium in their diets.
If you choose not to supplement with vitamin D3 as well as calcium, then your gecko could experience metabolic bone disease (MBD). In severe cases, this can lead to paralysis or even death.
6. Wrong UVB Light
Sometimes, geckos can also stop eating if the right amount of UVB isn’t shining down upon their enclosure.
When they are not getting enough UVB rays, their bodies will stop producing certain enzymes (including those that break down food).
This is one reason why it’s so important to research your lighting before setting up a leopard gecko’s tank.
7. Too Cold a Terrarium
If you don’t have a heating pad underneath or on the side of his tank and he is still cold, it could be a potential cause for holding off on eating.
There has to be a good temperature gradient in your terrarium between nighttime and daytime temperatures as well as basking temperatures as high as 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Why Do Leopard Geckos Stop Eating Mealworms?
If you own leopard geckos, one of the most common problems encountered is when your animal stops eating mealworms.
It’s a serious problem and can result in fatality if not treated properly.
Mealworms and superworms are usually thought to be healthy foods for lizards.
However, they are not without their problems. They may carry bacteria or parasites, which infect reptiles by ingestion. Mealworms contain an enzyme that causes hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells).
Another thing to consider with mealworms is that many commercial breeders feed poor quality or dead mealworm during winter months when natural prey is scarce or not available.
These animals could contain parasites that are normally killed during the freezing process. However, if they do survive, they can be passed on to reptiles that eat them.
Avoiding all of these problems with mealworms is easy by either feeding your gecko waxworms or superworms (alive). I feed my geckos waxworms exclusively and have never experienced any health problems as a result of doing so.
Superworms will also work but must be kept alive until you feed them to your gecko. If you purchase large numbers of superworms and won’t use them right away, it’s best to keep them in the refrigerator until you’re ready.
Otherwise, they will begin to pupate and then die.
Waxworms can be purchased at most pet shops and will last in the refrigerator for a couple of months without pupating.
Now that I’ve explained why your gecko may have stopped eating mealworms, we must next consider if they are actually hungry and need to be “weaned” onto other types of foods (i.e., live prey or wax worms).
If your animal is not growing or maintaining its weight, then you should try feeding them crickets, roaches, silkworms, and superworms until their appetite is restored.
Supplementing with vitamins such as Rep-cal and Nutri-cal once every two weeks will give your animal the nutrition it needs to stay healthy during the weaning process.
Monitor your geckos daily during this period for any signs of mites or other parasites.
If after a few months you are unsuccessful at getting your animals to eat anything else, then there are only two options remaining.
One would be to purchase some superworms on an “as needed” basis and offer them as a special treat every now and then. This will probably help keep their interest in mealworms alive, which can be very helpful if they become lethargic or stop eating.
The other option is to feed them waxworms all the time but remember that you must buy enough waxworms so that they won’t pupate while being stored in the refrigerator.
How Long Can a Leopard Gecko Go Without Eating?
It’s sometimes said that a leopard gecko can live up to 2 weeks without eating. This is not true.
A leopard gecko can go about 2 or 3 days without eating before it starves to death, even though they seem perfectly fine at first glance.
Keep this in mind if you’re ever going on vacation! A better way of phrasing this would be, “How long can a leopard gecko go without eating before its growth is affected?”
The answer to this question is 7 days since after the 7th day, the leopard gecko’s size starts getting smaller due to not eating.
Leopard geckos are ectotherms (cold-blooded), which means their metabolism is directly influenced by their surrounding temperature.
In the wild, leopard geckos eat whenever they feel like it and can store food in their bodies while they don’t have access to it for a while.
In captivity, however, our job is to simulate a more natural environment for them so that they can grow and stay healthy so we control the temperature, photoperiod (day/night length), and how often you feed your leopard gecko.
How Many Hides Does a Leopard Gecko Need?
Your leopard gecko will need 3 different types of homes.
One on the hot side of his tank, one in the middle that acts as a humid hide when he is shedding.
The humid hide should be enclosed and have a moist paper towel or coco fiber for the substrate.
The other side should be on the cool side of his tank. Leopard geckos need 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness every day.
Make sure you provide them with a UVB bulb for 12 to 14 hours every day. They can also get UVA, which is good for their behavior.
Also, make sure to keep the heat at about 88 degrees Fahrenheit during the day (heat pads are better than lights since he might burn himself if he lays up against the light).
He will need it warmer at night, usually around 82 degrees F, but never let it drop below 75 degrees F.
Feed him bugs like crickets, mealworms, or superworms once a week and dust them with calcium powder before feeding him each time.
Conclusion
Why is your leopard gecko hiding and not eating?
If your leopard gecko has been hiding and not eating, it could be a sign of illness. Because they are cold-blooded reptiles, improper temperatures can cause them to become sick or hide from the environment.
In order for your pet’s health to improve, you will need to make sure that their tank is at an appropriate temperature as well as offer fresh food each day.
Key points for why is your leopard gecko hiding all the time:
1. Natural Behavior:
- Nocturnal Species: Leopard geckos are nocturnal by nature, preferring to be active during the night and seeking shelter during the day. Hiding during daylight hours is normal behavior.
- Security Instinct: Geckos may feel more secure and less stressed when they have hiding spots to retreat to, mimicking their natural environment.
2. Stress or Anxiety:
- New Environment: Geckos might hide excessively when introduced to a new habitat or after relocation. This behavior is often temporary as they acclimate.
- Handling or Disturbance: Frequent handling or disturbances in their enclosure might cause stress, leading to increased hiding behavior.
3. Temperature and Comfort:
- Temperature Regulation: If the enclosure temperature isn’t adequately regulated or if the basking spot is inadequate, geckos may hide to seek warmth or coolness.
- Substrate Preference: Some geckos might hide more if they dislike the enclosure substrate. Ensure the substrate is suitable and comfortable for them.
4. Health Concerns:
- Health Issues: Continuous hiding can sometimes indicate underlying health problems. Check for signs of illness, such as loss of appetite, weight loss, or abnormal behavior.
- Shedding: Geckos might hide more during shedding periods to facilitate the shedding process. Ensure proper humidity levels to aid in shedding.
5. Enclosure Setup:
- Hiding Spots: Ensure the enclosure has multiple hiding spots and shelters, such as cork bark, hides, or artificial caves, spread across different temperature zones.
- Lighting and Ambience: Dim lighting during the day and a quiet, undisturbed environment can encourage geckos to explore more and feel less inclined to hide constantly.
6. Observation and Adjustment:
- Monitoring Behavior: Observe the gecko’s behavior for any signs of distress or illness. Note changes in behavior and address any potential issues promptly.
- Adjustment Period: Give the gecko time to adjust to its environment. Minimize handling and disturbances during this period to help reduce stress.
Overall, while hiding is a natural behavior for leopard geckos, excessive or sudden changes in hiding behavior may indicate stress, discomfort, or health concerns. Providing a suitable environment with proper temperature gradients, hiding spots, and minimal disturbances is crucial for their well-being. Regular monitoring and adjustments to their habitat can help alleviate excessive hiding and ensure a healthy, comfortable environment for your gecko.
