Why Is My Leopard Gecko Not Moving?

Leopard Geckos are very active creatures and they love to interact with their owners. But if suddenly you do not see your Gecko responding or not moving at all, definitely that will be concerning. You may then start thinking- Why is your Leopard Gecko not moving?

Leopard Geckos do not move when they feel terrified, or they are stressed, unwell, or tired. Apart from that, your Gecko might go through shedding which also hampers its daily activities.

If you want to know more about why your Leopard Gecko is not moving or becoming less active, read till the end!

9 Reasons Why Your Leopard Gecko Is Not Moving

Leopard Geckos are generally really fast and active. They love to play and explore their environment most of the time. But if you spot your leopard gecko in an unmovable condition, there are a few things reasons that could be behind it:

1. The imperfect temperature in an enclosure
2. Small enclosure
3. Disease
4. Stress
5. Crepuscular
6. Tiredness
7. Shedding
8. Wrong substrate
9. Sleeping

1. The imperfect temperature in an enclosure

The temperature plays an important role in Leopard Gecko s life. As we all know Leopard Geckos stay in nature and they try to cope with the temperature there.

But when in an artificial situation, the temperature needs to be set perfectly so that it does not affect the growth and health of the Leopard Gecko.

But when the enclosure is too cold, this temperature does not allow the metabolism process in the Gecko to go smoothly. Hence it causes impaction-related issues that make your Gecko very slow and tired as the food is stuck inside its digestive system.

If the temperature of the enclosure is too high, it also affects the growth of the Leopard Gecko. The hot temperature does not allow the Gecko to survive and affects its overall lifestyle. This temperature makes Gecko stressed too for which it slowly starts to stay in the same spot and does not move frequently.

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2. Small enclosure

The size of the tank also affects the movement of the Leopard Gecko. If the tank size is too small, then your Gecko will not move freely. Instead, it will be stuck in one place for a long time. A Leopard Gecko requires a minimum of a 10-gallon tank. Below this size can affect its mobility.

3. Disease

When a Leopard Gecko gets a disease, it starts to become stressed more often. Most of the time Leopard Geckos face metabolic bone disease or calcium deficiency-related disease. This really affects their health and makes them uncomfortable walking and exploring the environment. Also, the impaction makes them somewhat paralyzed for which they stop moving as well.

4. Stress

Stress is definitely an issue that makes your Gecko move slowly or sometimes it stops interacting with its owner as well.

Most of the time stress is caused due to illness and parameter fluctuation. The illness makes your Gecko uncomfortable and less active than usual as its body goes through certain changes at that time. Other than that, stress can also be caused due to threats.

If you have introduced a new Gecko or you have a pet inside your house, it can stress your Gecko as they may feel threatened. In the first case, Most Leopard Geckos end up getting hurt by competing against another Gecko in the tank.

But in the case of other humans or other creatures, it takes time to observe them. During observation also, your Gecko may not move from its place as well.

5. Crepuscular

Most Leopard Geckos are crepuscular means they remain active at night but inactive during the daytime. This means your Leopard Gecko will not show certain movements during the daytime. But they will start getting activated at night. This is not an issue rather it’s a feature of theirs.

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6. Tiredness

Leopard Geckos do get tired when they move very fast or become really active at a certain time. If your Gecko has played or explored the environment enough, it will surely get tired as time passes. That time it may not move at all and remain inactive till it gains back its strength.

You may sometimes see it going near the light to achieve the heat. Other than that, it will again go back to its place and stay in one place.

7. Shedding

Shedding is an uncomfortable feeling that every reptile goes through. During this process, the old skin gets replaced by new skin and it is not a pleasant experience for every Leopard Gecko. Most of the time during shedding you can see your Gecko becoming inactive. It will mostly remain in its hiding spots and even if it comes out, it will still not become movable soon.

8. Wrong substrate

If you have placed a different type of substrate that feels sharp and rough, your Gecko might not like it to stay away from walking or stepping on it. The substrate needs to be smooth enough so that your Gecko feels comfortable. Sometimes your Gecko might eat the substrate and end up getting impaction that can affect their walking too.

9. Sleeping

If your Gecko is sleeping, you can see its eyes closed. That time it’s obvious that it won’t walk or move from one place to another. Hence during sleep, you might see your Gecko in one place for a long time.

What To Do When a Leopard Gecko Is Not Moving?

• Adjust the temperature
• MIsting
• Provide nutritious food
• Understand if your Gecko has a disease
• Remove other creatures from the tank
• Change the substrate

Adjust the temperature

The temperature needs to be adjusted when you see your Leopard Gecko unmovable. The tank temperature should be between 83-90℉ on the warm side and 70-77℉ on the cool side during the daytime. The nighttime temperature should be between 70-74℉.

This way it will make your Gecko more comfortable and it will again start moving freely.

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MIsting

Misting during warm temperatures can help make your Gecko comfortable and relaxed. As they get exhausted when the temperature is high, misting can help to make the temperature low and balanced. 

Provide nutritious food

As nutrition plays a huge role in Leopard Geckos’ overall health, it’s better to provide them with foods with good vitamins and nutrition.

Most Geckos suffer from calcium or vitamin A deficiency. Hence make sure to include vitamin supplements in their diet.

Understand if your Gecko has a disease

A lot of times Leopard Geckos get diseases that make them super ill. For example: during metabolic bone disease, you may see your Gecko staying in the same spot for hours as this disease affects their bones drastically.

Hence if you see your Gecko is not moving the way it should, make sure to understand if it has a disease or not.

If it has a disease or you can diagnose the disease by yourself then you should take it to a vet. As mostly you can do little at home to treat your Gecko. Hence seek help from a vet instead of taking matters into your own hands.

Remove other creatures from the tank

If there are any other creatures inside the tank, such as another Gecko, it can make your Gecko terrified and so your Gecko will stop moving as well. Hence try keeping the Geckos separated.

Change the substrate

If the substrate is causing many issues to your Gecko’s overall activities, it’s better to go for substrates that are smooth and do not hurt the Gecko at all.

This way your Gecko will become comfortable with walking and start becoming active again.

Why Is My Leopard Gecko Staying In One Spot?

Leopard Gecko may stay in one spot because it must have difficulty walking. Sometimes due to different diseases, over-eating, tiredness, shedding, etc. processes, makes your Gecko stays in one spot for a long time.

This is not a normal situation unless it’s sleeping or tired. Other than these two scenarios, you must ensure that your Gecko is not going through any troubles.

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Why Is My Leopard Gecko Paralyzed?

Impaction issues can make your Gecko drag itself to the ground. Sometimes when Leopard Geckos consume something that is not appropriate for their health or something indigestible, the impaction occurs for which it starts to drag itself with one leg due to the food that is stuck inside its digestive system.

In such a situation, it might look as if your Gecko is paralyzed but it just becomes exhausted and incapable of walking properly.

Final Words

Leopard Geckos are naturally very active reptiles. Hence if you ever see your Gecko not acting properly or become less active than usual, make sure to check for all the reasons that we discussed. Upon seeing the reasons, try solving them as soon as possible to make your Gecko happy and active again.