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Is your leopard gecko moving slowly? Is this normal? Is my leopard gecko sick? Should I seek a vet?
If any of the above questions apply to you, don’t fret – we’re going to be going over all the reasons why your leopard gecko may be exhibiting this odd behavior.
As a pet-owner, it’s normal to question the behavior of your animal to help you better care for them.
Oftentimes, especially with reptiles, their behavior can be difficult to interpret and illnesses may go undetected.
Hence, why it’s so important to do your research when it comes to caring for your leopard gecko. They’re odd little creatures, after all!
So, if your leopard gecko is moving slowly, what does it mean? Should you seek a veterinarian?
A leopard gecko moving slowly could mean a variety of things. Oftentimes, this behavior is completely normal as leopard geckos are naturally sluggish reptiles. However, if your leopard gecko is moving at a noticeably slower rate than usual – it may be a sign of illness or disease.
Consequently, we’re going to be going over the various reasons why your leopard geckos is moving slowly and how to determine if it’s something serious.
Furthermore, if it is something serious, we’re going to discuss how you should go about restoring your leopard gecko to perfect health!
Note: See the table of contents below to know the topics we’ll be covering. Feel free to skip to any particular section if needed!
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Reasons Why Your Leopard Gecko is Moving Slowly
Below are some of the most common reasons why your leopard gecko may be moving at a low rate.
They’re Moving Slowly Because They’re Lazy
Let’s face it – leopard geckos are lazy creatures. They sleep most of the day, they don’t put too much effort into hunting for food, and they don’t really do too many physical activities.
To be honest, this is a large part of the appeal of owning a leopard gecko. They’re just super chill little creatures and they typically enjoy the company of people!
So, if you simply notice your leopard gecko sleeping a lot, being lazy, and hanging out in his hide a lot, it’s probably not a big deal. They’re just doing normal leopard gecko things!
Also, it’s important to note that leopard geckos are nocturnal – meaning they’re most active in the evenings and at night.
Therefore, it may seem as though your leopard gecko is moving slowly or lazy – but they’re really just on a different schedule than you are!
Your Leopard Gecko is Tired
A solution to this would be to avoid handling your leopard gecko early in the day. Instead, take them out at night, when they’re ready to be active. You may notice a change in their behavior by doing so!
They’ve Recently Eaten
This is normal because your body is working hard to digest your food.
Needless to say, leopard geckos function the exact same way. After they’ve eaten, they go into a state homeostasis and are conserving their energy. Therefore, they may appear much more slow and sluggish.
How to Know If Your Leopard Gecko is Moving Slowly Due to Illness?
Here are some things to look out for that may indicate your leopard gecko is moving slowly due to a health crisis:
- They’re very shaky
- They don’t ever come out of their hide
- Their legs are contorted and twisted
- They are lethargic
- They refuse to eat
- Their poop is runny
MBD (Metabolic Bone Disease)
Metabolic Bone Disease, commonly referred to as MBD, is a serious illness that is found in leopard geckos.
It is caused to due to a lack of calcium. Calcium is a crucial part of your leopard geckos health and development. Without it, their bones may become frail and they can experience a great deal of pain.
Some signs that your leopard gecko may be experiencing MBD include:
- Lack of movement
- Long periods of splooting
- Twisted limbs
- Difficulty moving
- Difficulty eating
If you suspect your leopard gecko is suffering from MBD, you should immediately get your leopard gecko on a safe calcium supplement.
Another common solution is to purchase a UVB bulb for your leopard gecko. UVB, although not essential for leopard geckos, can act as a substitute for calcium.
Parasites / Fungus Infection
Parasites, although uncommon, have been reported in leopard geckos.
Parasites usually spawn as a result of poor husbandry practices. For instance, if you stop replacing the paper towel/substrate in your moist hide, it could lead to fungus or parasites.
The best solution is to keep up with the cleanliness of your leopard geckos enclosure. If they’re in a dirty environment, you’re creating a space that is dangerous for your leopard gecko.
Respiratory Infection
Unlike MBD that is caused by calcium deficiency, respiratory infection is caused by bacteria in the lungs.
However, like MBD, it can be caused by poor husbandry practices. If your leopard geckos enclosure is kept too cold or too humid, it is very possible they will develop Pneumonia.
Signs that your leopard gecko has developed pneumonia include:
- Lethargy
- Difficulty breathing
- Breathing with their mouth open
- Loss of appetite
If you suspect your leopard gecko has developed pneumonia or other respiratory illnesses, it’s crucial that you seek the help of a veterinarian.
What to do if Your Leopard Gecko is Moving Slowly
If your leopard gecko moves slowly, it’s probably just a sign that your leopard gecko is a normal leopard gecko!
Other than properly caring for your leopard gecko, the best thing you can do to promote health and eliminate possible illnesses is start them on an herbal supplement / probiotic.
Best Supplements for Sick Leopard Geckos
Reptaid - Immunity Support
If you suspect your leopard gecko is moving slowly due to illness, this is the best solution out there (second to seeking a vet, of course).
It is a blend of herbal supplements specifically designed to target illnesses and improve your leopard geckos immune system.
People have claimed that it has cured their leopard geckos of parasites, respiratory infection, appetite loss, and an array of other health issues.
If you’re interested in purchasing Reptaid or learning more about it, you can Check It Out Here.
Vetericyn - Skin Wounds / Stuck Shed
Vetericyn is another great product for treating leopard geckos with health problems.
It comes in a spray bottle and contains a variety of supplements that promote healing.
Some of the health issues that Vetericyn can treat include:
- Abrasions
- Cuts & scrapes
- Skin irritation from shedding or dryness
It can also assist in shedding and prevent “stuck shed”, a common issue with leopard geckos.
Although this product isn’t necessary to buy unless your leopard gecko is suffering from an outer wound or skin issues, I still use it every week simply for the shedding benefits.
If you’re interested in purchasing Vetericyn or learning more about it, you can Check It Out On Amazon Here.
Nature Zone Reptile Worm Guard - Parasites/Bacteria
It contains all natural ingredients including Pumpkin Seed, Black Walnut, Cloves, Wormwood, Black Cumin, Thyme, Papain, and Kieselguhr.
Nature Zone Worm Guard is a laxative that directly targets worms and parasites and expels them through your leopard geckos poop.
If you’d like to learn more about Nature Zone Worm Guard, you can Check It Out On Amazon Here.
Final Thoughts - Leopard Gecko Moving Slowly?
In the majority of cases, a slow moving leopard gecko is not a cause for concern. Generally, it’s completely normal.
Leopard geckos are naturally slow moving creatures, it’s simply a part of their genetics. It’s what makes leopard geckos so unique!
However, there are a few cases where leopard geckos may be moving slow due to a health issue. If this applies to you, it’s best to seek professional help.
If you have any additional questions or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment below.
Thanks for reading and as always – Happy Herping!
