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.
28 comments
Melanie
Hello, I just purchased my gecko from another owner. She hasn’t eaten in a week there is no feces in tank. I have put several different insects mealworms, crickets, roaches still nothing. I cleaned her tank and took out sand and lined it with paper towel as I read sand is not very good. The previous owner only had a small heat lamp and said he kept it on 24/7 sometimes turning off during day time. I went out and purchased a heat pad and a ceramic bulb and a UVB bulb. Pervious owner also said he fed her in morning. I leave mealworms in tank but still nothing. She is five years old. He said he only fed her mealworms everyday. I’m starting to think this owner didn’t have any clue about owning a gecko and if he sold it because something was wrong.
Reptile Supply
Hi Kimberley — Going 10 days without food is concerning, but not life-threatening for a fully-grown leopard gecko. My best guess is that he’s adjusting to the new enclosure. However, double-check your temperatures with a digital probe thermometer or temp gun, and don’t handle him until he starts eating again.
Kimberly
I have a five yeard old lepord gecko. He is refusing to eat. It has been ten days and has lost weight. He did get moved to a bigger tank. It is typically colder but not by much. He is still energetic and appears to be out of hiding more than when he was in the smaller tank. What could be causing his food stike? How do i help? Should i take him to a vet?
Reptile Supply
Hi Dawn, I’m sorry to hear about your baby leopard gecko. If she hasn’t eaten at all since coming into your care, then it’s quite likely that there’s something off about her enclosure that makes her not want to eat. Please re-evaluate your setup with our leopard gecko care sheet (https://reptilesupply.com/blogs/care-sheets/how-to-care-for-your-leopard-gecko) and the attached resources.
Dawn Butcher
Hi we purchased a baby gecko in November since this she has never eaten we have taken her to a vet thinking she might have a parasite this us not the case and is now on end of life care how is it possible for her to survive so long with out food many thanks concerned gecko owner
Leave a comment
All comments are moderated before being published.
This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.