Pet Information > ASK Experts > Exotic Pets > Reptiles > My leopard gecko wont eat =[

My leopard gecko wont eat =[

22 14:01:50

Question
I brought a leopard gecko from my local pet store last week on Tuesday. He wont eat any of the crickets i have been offering him. i have been offering him small crickets as he is only a baby. I have seen him drink. He appears to be much weaker than when i first got him. He is never active and sits around all day and night is this normal? He did eat a waxworm the day we got him but since then has not touched another although we have always offered them every day and night.is there anything i can do to try and get him to each or is it normal for them to go long lengths of time with no food? Have you got any advice to help me? he is living on small bark chipping and his vivarium is set to a temperature of 28 degrees day and night. his tail appears to be no smaller than when i first got him. any advice i desperately want to save this little guy?
thankyou!

Answer
He may be going through relocation stress, or there is something in the environment affecting his appetite.  Remember, leos are nocturnal so he will prefer to sleep during the day.  I suggest, especially since he's from a pet shop, that you have him seen by a good reptile veterinarian.  The vet can determine if this baby has a high parasite count or any other medical issue.  Once health problems are ruled out, then he can go over any problems with proper tank set-up, all too often, pet shops sell you stuff that is not needed or detrimental to a reptile.  Does he have a proper moist hide?  Is his tank on the humid side?  Are you misting frequently?  These are also questions that need to be addressed.