My Gecko won't come out of her cave

Hi Everyone -

My family and I are the new owners of a 5 to 6 year old female gecko. Her name is Zoe (named by my kids). We just got her last Sunday on Dec 31st. So we haven't even had her for a week. She's super sociable and LOVES to be held. She loves to just come and snuggle up with you on the couch and relax/sleep while you're watching tv. My uncle and his son were getting rid of her because they didn't pay any attention to her because they had new 'cooler' lizards (as they said). I think they are crazy!! Anywho - Zoe stays in her cave all of the time it seems. Currently she's starting to get quite "dusty" looking, which makes me think she's starting the shedding process. I do not have a moist container in her cage right now, but I am going to do that tonight. Do you think that is why she is in her cave all of the time? She's eating fine. She eats about 3 crickets a day. From what they told me, they did not offer her any other food than crickets. Should I add something else to her diet. I am handling the crickets myself making sure they are gutloaded and sprinkled with the vitamins. I also have a red light (50 watt) that makes her home about 85 to 90 degrees during the day, and turn it off at night.

Any help would be great. I just want to make her happy. I'll post pictures soon. She's super sweet

Shauna

btw.... she's a Leopard Gecko.

Understand now that she'll never be like a dog, wagging her tail running out to see you. In all reality, she still is a wild animal and will only come to tolerate handling.

You should look into a UTH, an under tank heater, as it'll give you better temps than an over head light.

As for food, you can keep her on crickets or you can try meal worms or super worms. It's really up to you and what you want to deal with.

Leopard Geckos are also crepuscular, they are only "active" during dawn and dusk hours. She'll hide away all day, because that's what they do!

I agree with Kodieh you should be planning on getting an undertank heater soon she could be cold and that could be the warmest spot in the tank.But they will sleep for the most part of the day so that could just be her favourite spot! Best of luck!

The main reason for an under tank heater is because that is how Leopard Geckos digest their food. If they do not have the heat under their bellies they have difficulties digesting their food which in turn makes them less active and such. Of course what everyone else said is correct as well, just adding that main reason in.

As already mentioned she really needs that UTH for digestion. You also want to keep the uth on 24/7. On the warm side over the heat mat the temps need to be 90-95 (floor only). Air temp cold side high 70's- warm side 80-85. Only use the heat lamp is the air temps are too low. Definately feed her more than just crickets. A variety of crickets, roaches,phoenix worms, silkworms, baby hornworms, only a few superworms. Pictures are always welcomed:)

Thanks to everyone for your replies. Wow, it's been a while since I've been in here!!! Zoey is doing wonderful. She's gaining weight and now a little bit chunky has my hubby would say. She has a big belly and fat tail!! Pics will be up soon We have moved her into a sand house instead of the fake green carpet. She now has a little bowl (tiny cap) of calcium that she visits when needed. She's also eating crickets, meal worms, wax worms, and super worms. She's a little piggy for being about 5-6 yrs old. She loves to be held and my cats love her even more! They tend to just sit and watch her when she's out of her cave. We have an underground heater in the cave. She spends her nights in there but her days are behind it when it's cooler. Now that it's getting warmer out we are going to remove the infrared light so she won't be so hot. Currently she's in a 10 gallon tank and we're hoping to put her into a 20 gallon soon.

Any suggestions on her shedding stages? Right now she is shedding about every 3-4 weeks, which I hear is normal. I have a empty sherbet bowl with a lid that I cut out part of. I put paper towels on the bottom and soak them in hot water twice a day. Her skin comes of SOOOOO quickly! I think she really enjoys it. Do you prefer that, or should I consider something like moss???? And should I leave it in her tank all of the time or only when she shows signs of getting 'dusty' and ready to shed?

Thanks for all your help and suggestions!! Zoey thanks you too!!

if i understand right and u have put her on sand or any other loose substrate its my best advice to remove this asap due to risks of impaction check threads on this site u will find some disturbing tales and vidoes,
please check these asap as this could really harm ur gecko


cant wait for pics