equestrianathletics asked:
I found a wild baby gecko stuck in a glue trap a week ago. I was able to get him off the trap and unglued to himself using vegetable oil as instructed by many reptile specialists. He ate a baby cricket two days ago, but hasn’t wanted to eat since. Last night he was trying to hunt another cricket. I had to leave the house and when I returned 2 hours later, he appeared very dead. He hasn’t responded to anything I’ve tried to stimulate him with. He has not moved, and I cannot see him breathing. I am almost certain he’s dead. How can I tell if he really is dead or if he is hibernating?
I never keep wild animals. I always try to release them or seek out an appropriate habitat. I had finally just finished getting him unglued from himself just yesterday. I specialist suggested monitoring him for 1 more day. He had been given the opportunity to eat constantly with at least 1-2 live crickets in his box along with several live meal worms. My entire life has been dedicated to various animals including wild, zoo, and rare species. I just haven’t had prior experince with a gecko.
I don’t know how to make this any more clear, THIS WAS A RESCUE OPERATION NOT A “GAIN A PET DAY” Please understand I am well educated, former veterinary technician, and professional horse trainer. I grew up rehabilitating wild animals braught to the Cincinnati Zoo. I also participated in the JZ program there. My life is entirely dedicated to animals and their well being. I don’t keep wild animals as pets. My experience in a desert climate is new, and my experience with lizards and geckos is quite novice still. As I mentioned I was in touch with multiple specialists. These specialists are all very highly regarded in their field and recognized around the country. Rather than bug these kind people again, I thought maybe I could get a straight forward answer from some kind folks on yahoo. Please understand this was a RESCUE MISSION!!! This was NOT a capture and convert to pet mission. Please read my full question before assuming things. After all, you know what assuming does.
Daniel
I found a wild baby gecko stuck in a glue trap a week ago. I was able to get him off the trap and unglued to himself using vegetable oil as instructed by many reptile specialists. He ate a baby cricket two days ago, but hasn’t wanted to eat since. Last night he was trying to hunt another cricket. I had to leave the house and when I returned 2 hours later, he appeared very dead. He hasn’t responded to anything I’ve tried to stimulate him with. He has not moved, and I cannot see him breathing. I am almost certain he’s dead. How can I tell if he really is dead or if he is hibernating?
I never keep wild animals. I always try to release them or seek out an appropriate habitat. I had finally just finished getting him unglued from himself just yesterday. I specialist suggested monitoring him for 1 more day. He had been given the opportunity to eat constantly with at least 1-2 live crickets in his box along with several live meal worms. My entire life has been dedicated to various animals including wild, zoo, and rare species. I just haven’t had prior experince with a gecko.
I don’t know how to make this any more clear, THIS WAS A RESCUE OPERATION NOT A “GAIN A PET DAY” Please understand I am well educated, former veterinary technician, and professional horse trainer. I grew up rehabilitating wild animals braught to the Cincinnati Zoo. I also participated in the JZ program there. My life is entirely dedicated to animals and their well being. I don’t keep wild animals as pets. My experience in a desert climate is new, and my experience with lizards and geckos is quite novice still. As I mentioned I was in touch with multiple specialists. These specialists are all very highly regarded in their field and recognized around the country. Rather than bug these kind people again, I thought maybe I could get a straight forward answer from some kind folks on yahoo. Please understand this was a RESCUE MISSION!!! This was NOT a capture and convert to pet mission. Please read my full question before assuming things. After all, you know what assuming does.
Daniel
Tags: Animals Pets, Kind Folks, Vegetable Oil
Dan
Sorry but hes dead. But its ok he’s in gecko heaven.
Hazel
Wait a couple of days and look for signs. If he starts drying up, he’s probably dead.
Francis
Geckos don’t really hibernate at all, and they certainly don’t do it to the extent of not being able to be roused. He probably starved to death, two crickets in a week is nowhere near what a baby needs to eat, he should have been eating a half dozen crickets a night.
Pick up the body. If he is stiff and unresponsive, and his eye sockets appear sunken in, he is dead. If he moves, he’s alive. Simple as that. If you can’t make the call, put the body outside somewhere. If he’s a live, he’ll run off. If not… the carrion eaters will take care of him.
Next time don’t keep wild animals captive- they don’t like it. Very few wild reptiles survive more than few days in captivity.
Shirley
he died
Jose
Belly up geckos aren’t hybernating… They don’t hybernate at all, but their metabolism will slow down in the fall, into a process called “brumation.” It is too early for that
In the future, please return wild animals to the wild. If you want a pet lizard, get a captive bred from a reputable breeder. Those wild caughht hardly survive the stress…
Earl
He’s most likely died.. They don’t hibernate…especially in captivitly when conditions are always the same..You should never mess with wild reptiles or animals..They stress alone could’ve killed him..