Geckos are fascinating little lizards that have unique physical features and behaviors. If you’ve ever had a pet gecko or are considering getting one, you may be wondering – how long can a gecko go without eating before it starves?
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Healthy adult geckos can survive 10-14 days without food before their health becomes compromised. Juvenile geckos have higher metabolisms and may only last about 5-7 days without food.
In this comprehensive article, we’ll explore all the details around how long geckos can go without eating. We’ll look at factors like the gecko’s age, health status, and environmental conditions. We’ll also provide tips on how to prepare for times when your gecko needs to fast, like before veterinarian visits or procedures.
Read on to get the full scoop on gecko fasting and starvation timelines.
Typical Fasting Timelines for Healthy Geckos
Adults
Adult geckos can typically go quite a while without eating, often 2 weeks or more. Here are some key points on the fasting capability of adult geckos:
- Healthy adult leopard geckos can go 10-14 days without food before they start to lose a significant amount of weight.
- Other common pet geckos like crested geckos and gargoyle geckos can go 4-6 weeks without food before health issues arise.
- The exact fasting timeline depends on the gecko’s age, health status, and fat reserves. An overweight gecko can go longer without food than a lean gecko.
- During fasting periods, geckos live off their fat stores and are in a state of slowed metabolism and activity levels.
- Geckos may lose 5-10% of their body weight during a typical fasting period. More than 10-15% indicates they should start eating again soon.
- Appetite and interest in food will decrease the longer a gecko goes without eating.
- Adult females need extra nutrition before breeding. They should not undergo long fasts right before or after laying eggs.
In nature, geckos are adapted to handle food scarcity and fast for extended periods when prey is scarce. Short fasts are not harmful for healthy adult geckos as long as they can regain lost weight. However, geckos do need regular food and should not be left to fast for too long without reason.
Contact a veterinarian if appetite loss persists and significant weight loss occurs.
Juveniles and Hatchlings
Young geckos have higher metabolism than adults and cannot go as long without food. Here are fasting guidelines for juveniles and hatchlings:
- Healthy juvenile leopard geckos should not go more than 5-7 days without eating.
- Young crested geckos and gargoyle geckos should not go more than 2-3 weeks without food.
- Newly hatched geckos have enough yolk reserves to sustain them 1-2 weeks before requiring food.
- Rapid growth rates mean juveniles cannot tolerate long fasts without health impacts like stunted growth.
- Young geckos are more prone to dehydration during fasting than adults.
- Frequent small meals are ideal for juveniles to support active metabolism and growth.
Young geckos should start eating within a few days of hatching and be fed regularly 2-3 times per week. If appetite decreases, determine the cause – such as enclosure issues, health problems, or stress. Contact a veterinarian if hatchlings or juveniles are not eating or are losing significant weight.
Factors That Influence How Long a Gecko Can Go Without Eating
Age
Younger geckos, especially juveniles and hatchlings, cannot survive without food as long as mature adult geckos. Their higher metabolism means they burn through energy reserves faster. Juvenile leopard geckos may only last 1-2 weeks without food before health issues arise, compared to 4-6 weeks for adults.
Ensure young geckos always have access to feeder insects.
Health Status
A gecko’s overall health impacts how long it can go without eating. Geckos suffering from illness or disease are under more stress and will deteriorate faster. According to Moon Valley Reptiles, healthy adult leopard geckos can handle 2-3 months without food, while 4-6 weeks is the limit for juveniles and sick individuals.
Monitor each gecko and provide food if noticeable weight loss occurs.
Environmental Temperature
Ambient temperature regulates a gecko’s metabolism. Warmer environments make geckos more active, burning energy faster, while cooler temps slow their metabolism. The 50-90°F range suitable for most captive geckos enables them to survive 2-8 weeks without eating before health issues appear.
If deprived of food for over 6 weeks at average room temps, move the gecko’s habitat to 65-75°F to prolong survival chances.
Hibernation or Brumation
Some gecko species can hibernate or brumate during cold months, greatly extending how long they can go sans food. For example, according to ReptiFiles, crested geckos can last over a year without eating when brumating at 50-60°F.
Even non-brumating species like leopard geckos, can survive 2-3 months at 65°F while denying food. So if your gecko is off feed for an extended time, cooling its environment can buy you more time to reestablish eating.
Signs of Starvation in Geckos
Weight Loss
One of the most obvious signs of starvation in geckos is sudden or rapid weight loss. Healthy geckos should maintain a fairly consistent body weight. According to research from the Toronto Zoo, weight loss of 10% or more over a short period can indicate malnutrition or lack of proper nutrients.
Geckos have fat reserves in their tails which they draw upon when food is scarce. However, if a gecko goes too long without eating and loses too much weight, it can negatively impact their health. Reptile veterinarians recommend weighing your pet gecko regularly to catch unhealthy weight fluctuations early.
Lethargy and Weakness
Starving geckos often begin to show signs of lethargy, weakness, and inactivity before other symptoms appear. Healthy geckos are normally quite active creatures, especially at dawn/dusk when they hunt for food.
According to the American Association of Reptile Veterinarians, lethargic behavior is a key indicator that a gecko may be suffering from nutritional deficiency due to lack of proper nutrients. Since geckos are cold-blooded, lack of movement can also cause dangerous lowering of their body temperature.
Changes in Appearance and Behavior
In addition to rapid weight fluctuations and lethargy, starving geckos exhibit other physical and behavioral changes over time. According to reptile care experts, common symptoms include:
- Sunken eyes or severely thinned down body
- Change in skin coloration (pale limbs or tail)
- Hiding more often and reluctance to move around habitat
- Loss of sticky foot pads which allow them to climb vertical surfaces
- Increased aggression when handled or when feeding
Geckos are resilient creatures, but they still need proper, consistent nutrition to stay healthy. Pet owners should be alert for any combination of the above symptoms, which likely indicate starvation or malnutrition issues.
Catching these problems early improves chances for a full recovery with dietary changes.
Tips for Fasting Your Gecko
Consult Your Vet First
Before deciding to fast your gecko, it’s crucial that you consult an experienced reptile veterinarian first. They can assess your gecko’s health and determine if fasting is safe and appropriate. Fasting can put added stress on a gecko, so you want to make sure they are healthy enough to handle it.
The vet can advise you on proper fasting timeframes and help monitor your gecko during the process.
Provide Water
Even though your gecko won’t be eating, it’s vital to provide fresh, clean water at all times during the fast. Dehydration is a serious risk when fasting reptiles, so water should be changed and refreshed daily. Use a shallow bowl that your gecko can easily access.
Make sure the water is dechlorinated and free of harmful chemicals. You want to encourage your gecko to drink regularly throughout the fasting period.
Monitor Weight and Health
Keep a close eye on your gecko’s weight, energy levels and droppings while fasting. Any significant weight loss, lethargy or change in urates/feces could signal a problem. Geckos typically can fast for 10-14 days safely, but this depends on factors like age, health status and weight loss.
If you observe any concerning signs, resume feeding right away and consult your exotics vet. Monitoring your pet closely prevents the fast from going too far.
Assist Weak Geckos
Some geckos may become too weak to catch prey during an extended fast. In this case, you may need to assist feed them to prevent malnutrition. Hand feeding with tweezers or placing insects in a shallow dish can help weakened geckos eat with minimal effort.
Only do this if your gecko refuses food on their own. Resume normal feeding as soon as your pet regains strength. With careful husbandry, most healthy geckos can handle short fasts without assistance when needed.
When done properly under veterinary guidance, fasting can provide health benefits for geckos. But improper or prolonged fasting puts geckos at risk. Consult an reptile exotics veterinarian before attempting to fast your pet gecko.
With careful monitoring and husbandry, short fasts of 10-14 days are usually well-tolerated by healthy adult geckos. Never fast hatchlings or juvenile geckos under one year old.
Conclusion
Geckos are resilient little reptiles that can withstand short periods of fasting, especially when they are healthy adults in ideal environmental conditions. However, geckos of all ages can become compromised after about 7-14 days without food, depending on factors like temperature.
If your gecko does need to fast for an upcoming vet visit or procedure, be sure to follow your vet’s specific instructions. Monitor your pet closely during the fast and assist with hydration and nutrition as needed.
With some preparation and care, your gecko can get through a necessary fasting period just fine.
