Stickyness

Geofft · 11-13-04, 02:12 PM

My crested gecko stopped eating for a while in August. I used electrolytes in his water. He ate babyfood after that. Then he started eating crickets in the night only. He used to always eat in front of me in the day. But now he only eats when im not watching.

And now, i find that when i hold him, he has more trouble gripping onto my arm. He also sort of slides up the screen. Is the screen the problem?? should i move him to glass cage immeadeatly?? ive heard "legends" about geckos loosing stickyness on screen.

Any thoughts??

Geoff

CDN-Cresties · 11-13-04, 03:26 PM

It doesn't surprise me that your gecko only eats at night, after all they are nocturnal. If he is eating there is nothing to worry about, some of my cresties wont eat infront of me either.

As for the stickyness, your gecko could be in a shed cycle. Did you ever solve that last stickyness issue with your gecko? I forgot since it was a while ago.

The screen may be pulling out his little claws which may affect his climbing ability on screen. Whats the screen made out of?

Geofft · 11-14-04, 12:58 PM

the screen is wire. small holes. I did solve the shedding problem. He was REALLY pissy and tried to bite me, but i pulled it off his toes. He never climbs anymore though. its like hes lost his confidence. When i take him out, he tries to walk on my, but he cant really get a grip. He has some stickyness left, but not enough. Should i move him to a tank?

thanks,
Geoff

CDN-Cresties · 11-14-04, 01:02 PM

He could be going through another shed cycle, I would put him in glass and see how he does in there. It is possible for you to take a pic of the underside of his toes?

DragnDrop · 11-14-04, 01:20 PM

The only thing I can think of is unshed skin stuck to the feet. Until it's removed, the lamallae (sticky hairs) won't be able to grasp the surfaces properly so he'll keep sliding off. If anything, screen might be helping scrape some of the skin off. See if you can soak him a few minutes a day in room temperature water, helps soften the skin on his toes. With luck, when he walks around it might get pulled off. Try to provide slightly rough surfaces like real bark, maybe a rock, anything that might allow the stuck skin on the feet to catch and pull off as he's walking.

Geofft · 11-14-04, 06:41 PM

im sure there is no skin on the toes. Nothing white. he just went through one that i had to help him iwth about 2 weeks ago.