Leopard geckos are one of the most popular pet lizards, but they can worry owners when they become lethargic. If your leopard gecko is moving slowly and has low energy, don’t panic. There are several potential causes, ranging from brumation to disease, and steps you can take to help.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Lethargy in leopard geckos can be caused by brumation, improper heating and lighting, parasites, metabolic bone disease, impaction, or other illnesses.
Adjust temperatures, check for parasites, visit a vet, and make other habitat improvements to help address lethargy.
Understanding Brumation
What is brumation?
Brumation is a natural state of dormancy similar to hibernation that leopard geckos and other reptiles enter during the winter months or when temperatures get cooler. It helps them conserve energy when food sources are scarce.
During brumation, leopard geckos become less active, eat less, may stop eating altogether, and hide more. Their metabolism slows down and body temperature drops slightly. Brumation can last for weeks or months depending on the individual gecko, its health, age, and environment.
Some signs your leopard gecko is brumating include:
- Lethargic behavior and moving less
- Hiding for long periods
- Loss of appetite or eating less
- Weight loss
- Cooler body temperature
- Change in bowel movements
Brumation is normal and harmless seasonal behavior. It’s nothing to worry about as long as your gecko is healthy going into it. Make sure your gecko has healthy weight and fat reserves before brumation so its body can handle the prolonged fast.
Adults are better able to brumate than juveniles under 1 year old.
How to tell brumation from illness
While brumation itself is harmless, it can sometimes be hard to tell apart from illness or disease. Signs your leopard gecko is sick rather than brumating include:
- Extreme lethargy, unresponsiveness
- Labored breathing
- Discharge from eyes, nose, mouth
- Abnormal skin coloration
- Swelling or lumps on body
- Weight loss despite eating
- Diarrhea
If your gecko is exhibiting any of those symptoms, it’s best to have a reptile veterinarian examine it rather than assume it’s brumating, as medical treatment may be needed. Key differences between brumation and illness are that brumation happens seasonally when temperatures drop and food is scarce, not randomly, and the gecko still appears generally healthy otherwise.
To avoid health issues during brumation, provide optimal care leading up to it. Make sure your leopard gecko is the proper weight, has healthy fat reserves, and gets adequate UVB exposure. Gradually decrease temperatures and food amounts as brumation approaches.
Check on your gecko weekly and look for any concerning symptoms. With proper husbandry and close observation, your leopard gecko can brumate safely.
Checking for Parasites
Parasites like worms, protozoa, and mites can often cause lethargy and other symptoms in leopard geckos. Knowing the common culprits, how to check for a parasitic infection, and the proper treatment can help your gecko feel better.
Common parasitic culprits
Some parasites that may infect leopard geckos and cause issues like lethargy include:
- Roundworms – These most commonly affect the gastrointestinal tract
- Tapeworms – These can cause malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies
- Cryptosporidia – These protozoa also infect the GI tract
- Mites – Mites like reptile chiggers feed on geckos and can be found on the skin
How to check for parasites
Watching for any signs of parasites like worms or eggs in the feces is one way to check for parasites. Fecal tests done by a qualified exotic vet can also check for parasites like worms, protozoa like Cryptosporidia, and things like giardia.
For external parasites like mites, you need to carefully examine the body – especially skin folds around the vent, in the armpits, around the eyes, and between toes – for any movement or skin irritation. Skin scrapings or tape samples may be examined by a vet.
Treating parasites
If a parasitic infection is found through fecal or skin testing, an appropriate anti-parasitic medication will likely be prescribed, such as:
- Fenbendazole – Often used against roundworms and tapeworms
- Metronidazole – Used to treat intestinal protozoa like Cryptosporidia
- Ivermectin – Used to treat mites
Two or more rounds of anti-parasitic medication spaced 10-14 days apart are usually needed to fully eliminate an infection. Repeat testing after treatment is complete is also a good idea to ensure the parasites have been eradicated.
Along with medication, proper quarantine and disinfection protocols should be followed to prevent a parasitic infection passing to other reptiles in a collection or home.
Ensuring Proper Heating
Ideal Temperature Range
Leopard geckos require a temperature range of 88-92°F on the warm end and 70-75°F on the cool end of the enclosure (Reptifiles). Maintaining this gradient allows them to thermoregulate by moving between warmer and cooler areas as needed.
Temperatures lower than 65°F can compromise their immune system while temperatures above 94°F can cause heat stress.
Using Under Tank Heaters
Under tank heaters (UTHs) attached to the bottom of one side of the tank are commonly used to create a hot spot for leopard geckos. High-quality UTHs like the Flukers UTH produce safe and reliable heat. The UTH should cover 1/3 to 1⁄2 of the tank floor.
Always place a temperature regulator between the heat mat and tank to prevent overheating and use a separate reptile-safe thermometer to monitor temperatures.
Troubleshooting Heating Issues
If your leopard gecko enclosure is not reaching the proper temperature range, first ensure your heating device is working and set up correctly. Next, check that your thermometer is calibrated accurately. Finally, assess if the tank location or room temperatures are resulting in excessive heat loss.
Solutions include adding more substrate insulation, moving the enclosure away from drafty windows, or safely elevating room temperatures as needed to reach optimal heating ranges.
Providing Full Spectrum Lighting
Providing full spectrum lighting that mimics natural sunlight is incredibly beneficial for leopard geckos. This type of lighting helps them synthesize vitamin D3 which is crucial for calcium metabolism and bone health.
Additionally, exposure to UVB rays has been shown to significantly improve appetite and activity levels.
Benefits of UVB lighting
There are several key advantages to using UVB lighting for lethargic leopard geckos:
- Increases vitamin D3 levels which aids calcium absorption
- Stimulates appetite so geckos eat more frequently
- Elevates activity levels and energy
- Strengthens bones and prevents metabolic bone disease
- Supports shedding process by improving skin health
Research shows that leopard geckos housed without access to UVB lighting are often lethargic, have poor appetites, and shed skin less frequently compared to those provided with UV. One study discovered that just 12 hours per week of UV exposure was enough to maintain healthy vitamin D3 blood concentration levels (1).
Choosing a UVB bulb
When it comes to selecting an appropriate UVB bulb, reptile experts generally recommend a linear fluorescent or mercury vapor bulb designed specifically for desert-dwelling species. Compact coils or LED lights do not produce adequate beneficial rays.
The light should provide UVB in the range of 5-7% to meet leopard geckos’ requirements. Reputable options include:
Zoo Med ReptiSun® 10.0 UVB | Zoo Med PowerSun UV Mercury Vapor Lamp |
Arcadia ProT5 Desert UVB Kit | Exo Terra Solar Glo Mercury Vapor Bulb |
Bulbs should be replaced every 6-12 months since their UV output decreases over time. Position the fixture about 10-12 inches above the warm end of the terrarium so geckos can bask as needed (2).
Proper photoperiods
In addition to providing full spectrum lighting, it’s also important leopard geckos receive appropriate day/night lengths. In the wild, they experience about 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness.
Replicating these natural photoperiods in captivity can greatly improve their activity levels and feeding response. One tip is to put their light on a timer to maintain consistent “sunrise” and “sunset” times.
During the day, aim for a hot spot under the basking light from 88-92°F. The overall temperature gradient should range from around 75°F on the cool end up to 88-92°F on the warm, illuminated side. At night, allow temps to drop to 65-75°F to mimic their natural environment (3).
Don’t leave any lights on overnight, including heat lamps, as complete darkness is essential.
By supplying proper full spectrum lighting including UVB along with appropriate photoperiods, lethargic leopard geckos often show dramatic improvements in health, appetite, shedding, and activity levels!
Just be sure to carefully research and select UVB bulbs designed specifically for desert reptiles like leos rather than using standard light bulbs from the hardware store.
Addressing Other Health Issues
Metabolic bone disease
Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is a common problem in leopard geckos that can cause them to become lethargic. MBD occurs when the gecko lacks proper calcium, vitamin D3, or phosphorus in its diet. Lack of UVB lighting can also contribute to MBD.
Some signs of MBD are a soft and rubbery jaw, twitching, weakness, and bumpy bones.
If caught early, MBD can usually be corrected by adjusting the gecko’s diet and environment. Make sure to use the proper calcium and vitamin supplements and provide access to UVB lighting. You may need to assist feed your gecko to help get its strength back up.
If the MBD has progressed too far, the damage may be irreversible. However, supportive care can still improve quality of life. Consult an exotic veterinarian to determine the best treatment plan. With quick intervention, most leopard geckos bounce back well from MBD.
Impaction
Impaction occurs when an indigestible object gets stuck in the digestive tract, blocking the passage of food and feces. Impaction causes appetite loss, lethargy, and swelling of the abdomen. It’s often seen when geckos ingest loose substrate like sand.
Treatment depends on the severity of the impaction. For mild cases, try warm water soaks and vegetable oil massages to help pass the blockage. However, severe impactions usually require surgery to remove the obstruction.
Prevent impaction by using proper substrates like paper towels or reptile carpets instead of sand or wood shavings. Supervise feeding times to prevent accidental substrate ingestion.
Infections
Infections, especially respiratory infections and mouth rot, commonly cause lethargy in leopard geckos. Signs include mucus in the mouth or nose, labored breathing, and loss of appetite. Infections are often caused by poor husbandry such as dirty habitats, incorrect temperatures, and high humidity.
Most infections can be cleared up with a round of antibiotics from a vet. While medications help the gecko recover quickly, fixing the underlying husbandry issues is key for preventing repeat infections.
Always quarantine new reptiles for at least 30-60 days before introducing them, as they can transmit pathogens to your existing pets.
Other problems
Other issues that can lead to lethargy include:
- Dehydration – Provide a water bowl, mist regularly, or offer water droplets.
- Gastrointestinal issues like parasites – Have a fecal test done by your exotic vet.
- Toxicity from spoiled food or substrate ingestion – Stop feeding spoiled items; remove loose substrates.
- Incorrect heating or lighting leading to temperature stress
- Undiagnosed illness like cryptosporidiosis – May require testing and treatment.
As you can see, there are many possible reasons for a lethargic leopard gecko. Start by double checking husbandry against care guides to rule out environmental issues. Then, schedule a vet visit to identify any underlying health problems.
With some tweaks to care and prompt treatment, most geckos bounce back quickly.
No matter the cause, a good recovery plan focuses on supportive care like assist feeding, fluid therapy, pain control, and medications as needed. Your compassionate at-home nursing care combined with your vet’s treatment plan gives your leo the best chances of regaining its strength and personality.
Conclusion
A lethargic leopard gecko can be concerning, but is often manageable with adjustments to care and habitat. Monitor your gecko closely, make gradual changes, and seek veterinary advice when needed. With proper heating, lighting, parasite treatment, and wellness care, your leopard gecko can bounce back and regain an active life.