overweight leo??

[SnowSnake]

Hey guys,

My male leopard gecko looks over-weight,if there a safe way i can make him loose the extra grams?
I think not feeding him wouldnt be good, so do u have some ideas for me?

Thanks!
SnowSnake

[matt_winter]

I would say just give him less and less mealworms.

[Clownfishie]

Yup, just feed him a little less -- put him on a diet ;) Don't starve him, just give him fewer food items -- and if you were feeding him anything fatty such as pinkies or waxworms, lay off on them for a while... and maybe take him out for some extra exercise if you can ;)

[Bencb3]

dont feed him any pinkies or other fatty stuff(if u are, stick to crickets and some mealworms

[SnowSnake]

i dont handle him, too nervous and edgy. ill give him 5 mealies per 3-4 days and see what happens.

[Samba]

SnowSnake-Remember a fat leo is a healthy leo, however, if his weight seems excessive (let's say for instance, over 95 grams) try to let him exercise. I know you just stated that you don't like handling him because he's nervous, but he will get over that, and you can let him run around a room or something for a bit. Feeding a little less will help with the weight loss, but like I said, unless he's obese I wouldn't worry about it. You should be so lucky to have a good eater! Good luck! =)

[andrea1784]

If his fat deposits behind his armpits, his thighs, and behind his head are way too big then you should consider lowering the food in my opinion. My male has only been eating rounghly 3 superworms a week for the last couple of months and he is up to 130 grams. He isn't a Tremper giant, he is around 10.5 inches but he is not obese at all. He just doesn't ever want more than 3 mealies a week even if I offer him waxworms he doesn't always eat them. I guess he has a very slow metabolism while Pixie's baby has a very fast one.

[Alicewave]

That could depend on what the temps are that you are keeping him at. Their metabolisms are slower in lower temps. Seneca is about 10.5 inches also. I don't know if I consider him obese either but his fat bulges under his arms are pretty huge. Basically if he takes more than a second or two to chase a worm the meal is over.

[SnowSnake]

like andrea said, the fat in hs thighs and armpits is starting to get too big. i'll feed him less. I just put him alone in a 25gallon tank so he has more than enough room to move around.

Thanks guys!
SnowSnake

[geckoguy157]

3 mealworms evrey 3 or 4 days mite be a preety darastic drop in diet snowsnake do you have a picture of your gecko

[Pixie]

I would say to give him a little "workout" each day for a few minutes! I have a couple of geckos that are still nervous and flighty so I handle them over my bed (when it's done!).

They get plenty of exercise running around and it's much easier to handle them there. If they scoot out of my hands too fast there's only a few inches to a nice soft padded surface so no injuries. 10-15min. a day should help tone himum and trim him down a little :)

Pixie

[SnowSnake]

<img src="http://www.magazoo.com/albumsphotos/snowsnake/leo/couple4.jpg">

He is slightly chubbier but this pic is pretty acurate. If he were a female i wouldn't wory as much but since hes a male and wont have the stress of making and laying eggs is all this fat storage necessary?

cya,
SnowSnake

[Serpent-King]

*cough* power *cough* feeder.

[drewlowe]

He is *HUGE*!!!!

[Pixie]

Serpent-King: Leopard geckos aren't like snakes and can't really be "powerfed" in the same way snakes are. Almost all the caresheets I have read on leos say to feed them as much as they will eat and that they will stop when full.

Well that's just not the case with some leos apparently!!! SnowSnake's leo is definitely on the pudgy side and has been very well fed thus far ;) The fact that he's inquiring about it shows his desire to keep his animals healthy.

Snow: I wouldn't cut down the food drastically, a few mealies less each meal until a reasonable meal size is acquired. And exercise him!!! This guy needs some aerobics!!!

Pixie

[SnowSnake]

Pixie: ill build a little inclosure to but on my bed and make him exercise, maybe a mini gym for him! lol. i'll try 3-4 mealies per meal (every 2 days). I'll get a scale and weigh him to see how he does and keep u updated.

[Samba]

I agree that exercise is appropriate. Letting him wander around a room under supervision can get him to be active. On the brighter side, I think your gecko is quite attractive (he looks like my Darwin =( ). Anyways, keep up the good work!

[SnowSnake]

Thanks Samba! :D I should get a fecal done for the three of em this week.
He should get plenty of exercise when i put my two females with him (if you know what i meen lol :)).

[Samba]

Good idea! Best (and most enjoyable, I'm sure) exercise around! Do get them checked for worms, and keep us updated!