pregnant leo not eating

Question
QUESTION: Hi Thea, i have two adult leopard geckos, one male and one female. My female was pregnant for a long period of time now. I have been counting down the days, and she is very close to laying her eggs. Prior to her pregnancy, i have fed her very well, melaworms, pinkies, and crickets, gutloaded. However, she has not eaten in 5 days. However, her eggs are very very visible, telling me she is about to lay them. She was also digging in alot of places, including the shed box, i provided her. But, will she be fine because she hasn't eaten in a long time. Her tail has also shrunk a lot, but it is still somewhat plump. Do you have any advice. Please help. By the way, this was her third clutch.

Thanks so much

ANSWER: Hi Chris, What you are experiencing with her is absolutely normal. Heavily gravid female reptiles of many species stop feeding simply due to the amount of physical space that the eggs take up internally. It is also normal for them to look a bit thin and tired after the eggs are layed. You have already done exactly what you are supposed to do, that is, feed her very well prior to the egg production. Provide her with same diet after she has layed and she should recover her weight and be just fine. These weight and appetite fluctuations are a normal part of the breeding process.

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QUESTION: Hi, Thea, i am so sorry to bother you. But, my leo hasn't eaten for over a week now. I believe it has been 8 possibly 9 days now. I am getting worried, is it normal for her not to eat for over a week, her eggs are still very visible. Thanks Thea, hope i am not too much trouble.

Answer
Hi Chris, It's no bother at all. It sounds like she is going to lay two good sized eggs anytime now. It is not abnormal for them to go off food for "around a week". Remember that this is not an exact time frame but an average estimate based on the experience of numerous other breeders. Individual animals may vary by a few days in either direction. As long as she is still active, alert, moving around and digging then you shouldn't need to be worried.
Watch her for signs of lethargy, weakness or straining which could indicate potential egg binding. That problem is more common in females that have not been well fed and calcium supplemented prior to breeding.