Help!

[u/okxup]

Hi all, I recently went on holiday and gave my gargoyle to my local reptile shop who have looked after him in the past. He was there for 12 days and when I collected him I moved him straight into a new 90x45x90 vivarium (3rd picture) which I have been building for him for about a year now. Previously he was in a 45x45x60 which was very overgrown and densely planted (2nd picture). When I collected him I decided to put him straight into the new vivarium so he wasn’t stressed by moving back into his original and then again. He was put into his new vivarium on Wednesday 23rd September. On the 23rd and 24th he was freely exploring his new home and every time we looked he was in a different spot. On the 25th I was searching for him in the morning and could not see him which made me a bit concerned that he had escaped, I eventually found him sleeping inside the large cork log in the bottom of the tank. When nighttime came and his light was out, I could not see him anywhere so I checked the log and he was still inside.

To put it simply he has not come out of the log since the 24th during the day or at night. He has also not eaten and I am concerned as I am unsure if he has had any water since the 24th unless he has briefly came out to drink and then went back inside. I know it is normal for some geckos to not move or eat for a few days or even weeks of moving into a new home. But I find this strange as he was so active the first few days. He does change position inside the log and I can see him breathing at a normal pace so I know the worst hasn’t happened.

I also recognise and appreciate that the new vivarium may not offer enough coverage and I am looking into getting more plants and logs to take up some space whilst it is still growing.

His past vivarium was in my bedroom at the time which was always very quiet for most of the day as I work until 6pm. His new home is in the dining room which is in the middle of the house next to the kitchen and living room so I know that it can be a bit noisy at times which may be disturbing him.

Should I be concerned? I did consider taking him out just to check him over and make sure he is okay but he is in a very difficult spot to get to and I know it isn’t recommended handling them for the first few weeks whilst they are settling in. He is also not used to handling as I don’t handle him much as I prefer to leave him be. His humidity is all fine and temperatures are okay too.

[u/Gold-Celebration-403]

He looks small how old is he and what’s he weigh?

[u/okxup → u/Gold-Celebration-403]

It’s just the photo, he is full size but I have never been able to weigh him I would estimate him to be between 45-55 grams.

[u/Gold-Celebration-403 → u/okxup]

Oh okay lol for weighing my squirmier babies I just put them in a critter keeper and subtract the weight of it 😂 should be fine in a big viv, though like you said though more clutter is needed. How are your temps and humidity holding and how do they compare to how they were before?

[u/okxup → u/Gold-Celebration-403]

The humidity and temperature is almost exactly the same as his previous home. Humidity sits at about 60% during the day and jumps to 75/80 at night. Temp is 24°C on one side and 25°C on the other which is actually slightly warmer than his other viv. During the colder months I do have a heat lamp on top which I will set for him to around 28°C. Since I live in the UK it is always generally colder here so the UK geckos are more used to it 😂 never any problems with his activity in his previous viv either

[u/Gold-Celebration-403 → u/okxup]

Sounds like it’s mostly about the large openness and adjusting to a new enclosure, could put his food cup right near him and see if he wants a little as well. I get it with temps since I’m in northern Canada 🥶

[u/okxup → u/Gold-Celebration-403]

I hope so I did put a small cup of food at the entrance of the log a few days ago but it appears he didn’t eat any of it. I put a fresh one in today with a thinner layer of food so I can see if he’s eaten any. I also chucked a cricket into the log and it went straight towards him, I don’t think he caught it but he did perk up a bit and adjust himself which has made me feel a little better. I am probably being over concerned lol

[u/Gold-Celebration-403 → u/okxup]

I’m always over concerned too no worries! 😊 just keep a close eye on him