Why Is My Leopard Gecko Not Moving?

You go to feed your leopard gecko like you always do—but this time, he doesn’t budge.

No head tilt.

No tail wiggle.

Nothing.

If you’ve been there, frozen in front of a frozen pet, you know the fear. Let’s talk about what it could actually mean—and when you should worry.

Normal Reasons Your Leopard Gecko Might Stay Still

Not every still gecko is a dying gecko. Sometimes they’re just doing what geckos do—being weird little lizards.

Here’s when you can chill:

Sleeping or Just Vibing

They’re nocturnal. If it’s daytime, your gecko is probably snoozing. Even at night, they don’t always sprint around. Some just like to stare at walls and reflect on life.

Brumation Mode

If it’s colder months, they might be brumating. That’s like reptile winter shutdown mode. Less movement, less food, less everything. Totally normal.

Digesting That Bug Buffet

After a big meal, geckos like to park it and digest.

You’ll often find them under their warm hide, doing absolutely nothing. That’s just their version of post-taco nap.

Chilling for the Heat or Cool

They don’t move around just to entertain you.

Sometimes they’re soaking up heat or hiding out to cool down. It’s temperature management, not laziness.

So yeah, stillness can be totally fine.
The trick is knowing when it’s “normal gecko still” and when it’s “uh-oh still.”

Concerning Reasons Your Gecko Isn’t Moving

Sometimes your gecko isn’t just being a chill little lizard.

Sometimes, it’s a sign something’s off.

Tank Temperature Is Too Low

If your gecko’s tank feels like a fridge, it’s gonna act frozen. They need proper heat to function. Warm side should be around 88–92°F. Cool side, about 75–80°F.

Dehydration

Dry gecko = sluggish gecko.

If the skin looks wrinkly or the eyes seem sunken, it needs water fast.

Hungry for knowledge about Leopard Gecko? We’ve got you covered in this article. Why Is My Leopard Gecko Sleeping So Much?

Impaction

If your gecko ate something it can’t pass—like sand, gravel, or oversized bugs—it can get blocked up. Signs include bloated belly, no poop, no interest in food, and zero movement.

Illness or Infection

Lethargy can mean sickness. Respiratory infection, parasites, or worse. Watch for wheezing, drool, runny poop, or weight loss. Don’t wait on this—get a vet.

Stress or Shock

Too much handling, loud sounds, or sudden tank changes can freak them out. A stressed gecko might freeze, hide all day, or stop eating.

If you’re seeing any of these along with the stillness, don’t guess. Act fast. Your gecko’s counting on you.

How to Tell If It’s Normal or Not

So your gecko isn’t moving. Is it just being dramatic—or is it dying?

Here’s how I figure it out without losing my mind:

Is It Eating?

If it’s smashing bugs like usual, that’s a good sign. A gecko that eats is a gecko that works.

Is It Pooping?

No poop? Red flag. A blocked-up gecko won’t move much. Check for impaction signs.

Is It Moving at Night?

Use a red light or sneak in with your phone. If you catch it roaming at 2 AM, it’s just being nocturnal, not dead.

Are Temps Right?

Pull out that thermometer. Bad heat = bad vibes. Fix the temp, and you might fix the gecko.

Any Other Weird Symptoms?

Look at its eyes, breathing, skin, weight. If anything looks off, don’t play vet—call one.

When in doubt, always treat it as serious. Worst case, you wasted a little time. Best case, you saved your gecko.

What You Can Do Now?

Your gecko’s frozen. You’ve ruled out the lazy stuff. Now what?

Check the Tank Setup

This is the first thing I do. Heat, humidity, light—make sure everything’s where it should be.

Gently Nudge It

Not rough, just a soft poke or light nudge. If it blinks or shifts, that’s a good sign. If it’s stiff, that’s not great.

Explore the fascinating world of Leopard Gecko—this post has everything you need! Why Isn’t My Leopard Gecko Shedding?

Offer Food or Water

Drop a worm in front of it. No reaction? That’s another clue. Same with water—try dripping a little near its mouth.

Check for Poop

Look around the tank. Fresh poop means the plumbing still works. No poop + no movement = time to worry.

Call a Reptile Vet

If it hasn’t moved for over a day and isn’t eating, don’t guess. Book the appointment. You’ll sleep better knowing you did.

Sometimes you fix it with a heat tweak. Sometimes you need pro help. Either way—do something now, not next week.