[xtons]

hi all , just got my first leo , had him 3 days and he's not eaten atall , food is available , hes totally nocturnal , only comes out about 10pm and has a good mooch about and sits on heatmat area . waddles away to hide if i put my flat hand in viv , heating is a 20w under viv mat , plus a redlight heat bulb plus an infa-red nite bulb , but viv dosn't seem that warm , its an eco terra 17 x 17 , and my thermo only measures 70 degreas , is this normal behaviour..??? , hes pooped every day and its normal in looks etc , i dont want to keep pestering the breeder about him , but might have to if his non eating goes above 7 days , any advice will be appretiated
tony

[Olivine]

Hi Tony,

Firstly, leos often take up to a week or two to settle in to a new home and may be reluctant to feed until they've fully settled. However, temperatures that are too low can also cause them to lose their appetite, so the viv being too cold could also be the reason why he's not eating.

Where exactly are you measuring the viv temperature? The crucial temperature is the one at floor level, directly above the heat mat. What type of thermometer are you using? (digital ones tend to be far more accurate than the dial type). Are you controlling the heat mat with a thermostat? If not, you really do need one so that optimum temperatures (31C - 32C / 88F - 90F) are maintained at the hot end of the viv.

You do mention though that he's pooped every day; that would suggest that he's eating something. How much food are you offering him? If he's an adult, then they actually eat surprisingly little (though I'd expect a juvie to eat far more; they'll clear roughly 10 - 15 feeders per night, plus mealies, as opposed to anything from 2 - 8 feeders every couple of days for an adult).

[xtons]

thanks for the reply , the thermomiter is a cheep dial type , and is measuring 80 degrees and is right on the bottom of viv ,heat-mat side , the sub is warm to the touch , hes pooped again thismorning , but no evidence of mealworms missing , although theres a few crickets gone , but could be hiding , i dont want to lift his hide and cause stress , he comes out alot , but like i said , after about 10pm , doesnt appear to drink or take his minerals either , but is quite active , when he walks his tail is above the substrate , wiggling , not dragging in the sub , so he seems healthy , ill keep the forum posted

thanks

tony