Crested geckos are small and lovely creatures that are often kept as pets. However, most of the owners of the gecko do not know the way to feed them or the amount that should be fed regularly. The obvious consequence is unusual weight loss or gain. Let us discuss the topic of weight gain here.
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Can crested gecko become obese?
You should know the breed of gecko you have adopted. If it is a giant gecko, then gaining weight up to 100 gm when it gets matured is not a matter of worry. But if you have adopted a general gecko, then it should not weigh more than 45-60 gm. However, there are other symptoms than the weight, which will assure you that your gecko is getting obese.
How to know if the crested gecko becomes obese?
Certain symptoms will appear on the gecko and you can be sure that it is getting obese. We have discussed those symptoms here.
Chubby legs
Usually, the geckos have thin but muscular legs. Their legs are short and they are pretty active. But when you see layers in the skin of the legs and they are not moving with the usual agility then it can be the situation that the gecko has become obese.
Fat neck
The neck portion of the geckos is mostly short. When the gecko becomes plump, the neck looks even shorter and the skin around it gets layered. You may find it cute but in reality, it is alarming. You should immediately stop giving the gecko wax worms and make it slimmer.
Plump belly
Like the other parts, the belly also gets fatty. The layering of the skin can be seen in the belly part as well. This is a simple indicator that the gecko is not healthy. Many owners find it cool as they think having a plump gecko is great. There are several issues that are connected with the fat body, and such issues cannot be sorted without medication or a vet’s help.
What are the reasons for obesity among crested geckos?
It is always an important aspect of keeping any pets to measure their weight regularly. If you ignore this part, then your pet may fall ill and you will have to face the consequence. So be bothered about the weight loss or gain whenever it is taking place.
Too much food
If you are feeding the gecko with too many insects then the gecko can become obese. Make sure that it is having no digestion-related problem. Also, make it eat some vegetables if possible. Geckos are not very active during the daytime, though they can ride the objects and basking stones or the hammocks that are presented in the cage. You need to be attentive towards the movements it is making, as that is the only way of losing the extra calories and staying fit for the gecko.
Too fatty food
The diet can be the cause of their obesity. If you are feeding the fatty worms like wax worms in too many numbers then it will not keep the gecko healthy. Basically, these fatty worms should be given as treats, as there are fewer nutrients and a high amount of fat present in these worms.
Small living place
If the enclosure is too small, then also it can create obesity problems for the geckos. You should allow the crested gecko to move and walk inside the shelter. As the geckos are not taken out regularly, they need some physical movement to stay healthy and fit. That is why some equipment like the hammock, bunch of artificial plants is needed to be present in the terrarium.
How can you treat the obese crested gecko?
As we have discussed the probable cause of obesity, the treatment process is hidden in those facts only. You must control the diet of the gecko; make sure that it is eating only a few numbers of insects.
If you are unsure of how many insects should you offer to the gecko, and then check the amount with the herp vet. Mention the age and weight to know the right amount of food for the pet.
If the enclosure is too small for them and the gecko can barely move inside it, then arrange for a larger space. If you shift the gecko to a spacious enclosure, you will see changes like movement inside the enclosure. Also, the activities of the gecko will increase as it will get more area to move in. This way the gecko will become fitter.
How can you weigh the gecko?
You can use the kitchen scale to measure the weight of the crested gecko. Taking the crested gecko to the vet every time you need to measure it is not an easy idea. Make sure to weigh the little creature every week, so if there is a major growth in the weight, you can take immediate steps to control it.
How to measure the gecko’s weight by the kitchen scale?
Use a bowl to place the crested gecko inside it, and then place the bowl at the surface of the kitchen scale. Do take a separate weight of the bowl to make sure that the gecko’s weight is not included in the sum total of the bowl and gecko. If you do not use the bowl, then the gecko may jump down from the scale, and that way it will be much difficult to measure it.
On which factors does the weight of the gecko depend?
We have already stated that the usual weight of a mature crested gecko will be something around 50 gm. But if your gecko weighs more than that, but there are no symptoms of obesity as discussed above, then do not panic. There are some other factors that can affect the weight of the crested gecko.
The general diet
If the gecko is being fed a good amount of food from birth and has a good space to do ample exercise, then it will grow more than the regular crested geckos. There is nothing unusual about it, and if the gecko does not fall sick then you can conclude that it is the normal health of the gecko.
The genetics
If your crested gecko weighs more than 50 gm and you are not feeding it too much food, then it can be the case of genetics. As for the geckos, we do not know the pedigree. So it can be that the parents of the gecko were heavyweight, and the gecko continues to have heavy body weight, though not obese.
Conclusion:
Crested gecko loves to climb a lot, and giving them space inside the shelter makes it easy to climb on the hammock or other parts of the cage. There should be a high basking spot as well as a hammock or swing for the purpose of exercise as well as entertainment.
Also, the height of the shelter is necessary to keep the temperature gradient working. Without the proper temperature, light, and food, the gecko will not be healthy. Also, it may become lazy and that will lead to obesity. So be cautious of providing it a well lighted, airy, and spacious shelter, along with a nutritious and healthy diet, to keep it fit.
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