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How Long Can Leopard Geckos Go without Food?

How Long Can Leopard Geckos Go without Food?

Many adult leopard geckos can go without food for ten days to two weeks because of the fat storage in their tails. It is completely normal for leopard geckos to go without eating for long periods.

Unlike mammals, reptiles do not require food every day to survive, particularly during the winter. In nature, geckos can go the whole cold season without eating because their activity is very low during this period. 

However, to keep your leopard gecko healthy, try to ensure that he regularly eats a proper diet rich in live feeding insects.

Filed in: food, leopard gecko
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Comments

Reptile Supply - December 14, 2020

Hi Ros, going 6 months without food is definitely not normal, and is likely an indicator that your leopard gecko is not well. Please make an appointment with an experienced reptile veterinarian immediately.

Ros Greenland - December 14, 2020

Hi my sons gecko haven’t eat anything in 6 mths only having water is that normal

Reptile Supply - December 10, 2020

Hi Edan, stress isn’t an illness that a leopard gecko eventually recovers from. Stress is caused by whatever is making them stressed, and may continue under the stressor is removed. An exception to this is relocation stress, such as when the gecko is moved to a new enclosure. Relocation stress usually doesn’t last more than 2 weeks as long as other stressors, such as handling, are minimized.

If your gecko drops his tail, it’s not the end of the world, as it will eventually regrow, but the gecko will have lost their most important store of fat, so it’s a good idea to feed a gecko extra while it re-grows its tail.

Edan - December 10, 2020

How long will it take for my gecko to recover from stress? What could happen if he loses his tail?

Reptile Supply - November 17, 2020

Hi Sharon, this is the time of year where reptiles like leopard geckos and bearded dragons start brumating, which is the reptile equivalent of hibernation. If your leopard gecko is over a year old and healthy, brumation is a possibility. However, if you are still concerned, it’s a good idea to take your gecko to an experienced reptile veterinarian.

Sharon Ronan - November 17, 2020

My sons female leopard gecko hasn’t eaten in about a week. She’s young and still is feisty when you pick her up but looks mopey/sleepy in the tank. What do you think could be wrong? Could it be the changing of the season?

Reptile Supply - October 7, 2020

Hi Addi, fully-grown leopard geckos can go 5 days without eating, but it’s not optimal. If you have an adult, it’s best to feed your gecko every other day, or at most every third day, depending on your gecko’s body condition.

Addi - October 7, 2020

Can I feed my gecko every five days?

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