Why Is My Gecko Not Moving?

If you notice your gecko is lethargic or not moving around its enclosure, it can be concerning. A gecko that lacks energy or motivation to move could indicate an underlying health issue.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Lack of movement in geckos can be caused by low temperatures, malnutrition, dehydration, illness, stress or improper habitat setup.

In this comprehensive article, we will explore all the possible reasons for gecko inactivity. We will provide tips on adjusting your gecko’s environment, diet, and care regimen to get them active and healthy again.

Checking Basic Needs

Proper Temperatures

Providing the proper temperatures is crucial for a gecko’s health and activity levels. Geckos are cold-blooded, meaning they rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature. Ideal temperatures for most gecko species range from 75-85°F during the day, dropping to 65-75°F at night.

Temperatures that are too low can lead to sluggishness, poor appetite, and trouble digesting food. Prolonged exposure to low temperatures can even be fatal. On the flip side, temperatures that are too high increase the risk of overheating and dehydration.

Use an under-tank heating pad, ceramic heat emitter, or incandescent bulb to create a temperature gradient across the enclosure, allowing your gecko to thermoregulate by moving to warmer or cooler areas as needed. Be sure to monitor enclosure temperatures regularly with a reliable thermometer.

Access to Water and Food

Ensuring your gecko has access to clean water and an appropriate diet is vital. Dehydration and malnutrition quickly lead to health issues. Provide fresh, dechlorinated water in a shallow dish changed daily.

Feed an age-appropriate diet 3-4 times per week for juveniles, and 1-2 times per week for adults. Mealworms, crickets, Dubia roaches, and silkworms are excellent feeders for most geckos. Dust insects with a calcium and vitamin supplement at every feeding for optimal nutrition.

Observe your gecko closely during feedings to ensure they are eating well. Loss of appetite may indicate an underlying health problem requiring veterinary attention.

Proper Day/Night Cycles

Maintaining proper light cycles that mimic natural day/night rhythms is key for a gecko’s biological processes. Geckos need 12-14 hours of daytime light and 10-12 hours of darkness nightly. Use an automatic timer to regulate photoperiods.

During daytime, provide access to bright, white light from an incandescent or LED bulb. At night, use a ceramic heat emitter or under-tank heater to maintain warm temperatures. Avoid colored “nighttime” bulbs as geckos can still see the light. Ensure the enclosure is completely dark at night.

Disrupting natural photoperiods can negatively impact appetite, activity levels, reproductive behaviors, and body chemistry. Mimicking natural light cycles supports healthy biological rhythms.

Signs of Illness

Respiratory Infection

Respiratory infections are common afflictions in pet geckos. Symptoms to watch out for include labored breathing, nasal or eye discharge, excessive mucus in the mouth, and loss of appetite. If untreated, respiratory infections can be fatal.

At the first signs of illness, take your gecko to a qualified exotics veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics or antifungal medication.

Some preventative steps pet owners can take include maintaining proper temperatures and humidity in the enclosure, avoiding overcrowding if housing multiple geckos, and eliminating possible irritants or toxins. Excellent husbandry and nutrition support immune health and reduce susceptibility.

Carefully observe geckos for any changes in normal behavior like lethargy or hiding more than usual, as these can signal the early stages of illness requiring rapid response.

Mouth Rot

Mouth rot refers to a bacterial infection of the gums and mouth tissues often stemming from injury or poor cage conditions. Look for inflamed gums, excess plaque, pus, loss of teeth, or difficulty eating.

Mild cases may be treatable at home by improving husbandry, applying antibiotic ointment under veterinary guidance, and assisting feedings with a nutritional supplement. More advanced infections require prescription antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Without treatment, mouth rot can spread systemically or obstruct eating leading to nutritional deficiencies and starvation.

• Maintain clean water, enclosure, and decorations to reduce bacterial bloom and chance of injury allowing infection.
• Carefully observe geckos while feeding to ensure proper ability to catch and consume prey. Difficulty capturing or swallowing food signals veterinary exam.
• Do not attempt home remedies without first consulting an exotics veterinarian as inappropriate treatment can worsen conditions.

Metabolic Bone Disease

Metabolic bone disease (MBD) arises from nutritional imbalances of calcium, vitamin D3, or phosphorus. Lizards receiving inadequate amounts may demonstrate bone malformations, fractures, weakness, tremors or seizures.

MBD is preventable through proper supplementation guided by species requirements and life stage such as ovulating females who need extra calcium. Young, growing geckos have increased demands. Recovery requires immediate veterinary oversight, revised diet with optimal calcium ratios, possible injections, and assisted feeding therapies until stable.

The quicker MBD is diagnosed and corrected through supplement adjustments targeted to species and stage of life, the better the outlook for recovery to normal mobility and function. Partner with your exotic pet veterinarian to develop an optimal feeding regimen supporting bone health.

For more details on recognizing and responding to exotic pet lizard illness, visit the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians care guides at https://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661.

Stressors in the Environment

Too Much Handling

Excessive handling can stress out geckos. Although most geckos tolerate some human interaction, too much direct contact can make them feel threatened. According to reptile experts, a good rule of thumb is to limit handling to no more than 10-15 minutes per day.

Prolonged handling increases cortisol levels, which can compromise their immune system over time.

Signs of stress from overhandling include rapid blinking, arched back, flattened body, jerky movements, gaping mouth, loss of appetite and tail wagging/vibrating. Allow your gecko to have free movement daily instead of keeping them enclosed.

Give them designated handling periods, then allow them quiet time to destress in their enclosure after.

Insufficient Hiding Spots

Geckos are prey animals by nature and instinctively seek shelter and hiding spots to feel secure. An enclosure lacking sufficient hides can cause chronic stress. Ensure their habitat has a minimum of one warm hide and one cool hide, ideally with an additional moist hide for shedding purposes.

The hides should be snug, completely enclosed and positioned over the heating pads or away from heat sources. Having a few extra aesthetically pleasing hides for them to explore and retreat to when stressed is also beneficial. Regularly check that your gecko is utilizing their hides when needed.

Cohabitation Issues

Attempting to house multiple geckos together often creates aggression and bullying, causing immense stress to the more docile cagemate. According to reptilecaresheets.com, even female leopard geckos should not be cohabitated due to their solitary and territorial nature.

Signs that cohabitating geckos are distressed include bites/missing toes, hesitating to leave hides, loss of appetite and tail vibrations when encountering the other gecko. Each gecko is unique, but it is generally ill-advised to cohabitate different gecko species or males with other geckos in one enclosure.

Habitat Setup

Appropriate Substrate

Choosing the right substrate is crucial for a healthy gecko habitat. The best substrates provide digging and burrowing enrichment while being easy to clean. Recommended options include paper towel, slate tile, coconut fiber, and sand mats specifically made for reptiles.

Loose substrates like sand or crushed walnut shells can cause impaction if accidentally ingested and should be avoided.

Proper Humidity Levels

Geckos require a habitat with adequate humidity to aid in shedding. Low humidity causes skin to dry out and peel off slowly or in patches. The ideal level is generally 40-60%, with a humidity hide box available for geckos to self-regulate.

Use a hygrometer to monitor levels, making adjustments like misting as needed. Excess moisture can also cause respiratory issues, so finding the right balance is key.

UVB Lighting

While opinions vary on the necessity of UVB lighting for geckos, research suggests supplements alone are often insufficient for proper vitamin D3 synthesis. Without adequate D3, geckos may experience symptoms like lethargy and loss of appetite indicative of metabolic bone disease (MBD).

Appropriate UVB exposure also benefits day/night cycles. The best option is a linear fluorescent or mercury vapor bulb spanning 1/2 to 2/3 of the enclosure length, replaced every 6-12 months per manufacturer guidelines.

When issues arise with gecko health or behavior, habitat should be the first factor evaluated. Ensuring substrates support natural behavior, humidity facilitates shedding, and lighting meets vitamin needs provides the foundation.

Consult online care guides like Reptile Advisor for up-to-date best practices on habitat setup and maintenance for a thriving gecko.

Conclusion

Lack of movement or energy in a gecko warrants attention. While sometimes it may resolve on its own, persistent lethargy likely indicates an husbandry issue or health problem.

By methodically reviewing your gecko’s environment, food, temperatures and other factors, you can get to the root cause. Make adjustments to optimize their habitat and care. Seek exotic vet care if symptoms persist or seem severe.

With some tweaks to their habitat and care regimen, you can get your lethargic gecko back to their normal energetic, healthy self again.