Emergency Guide

Some unexpected things might happen during Lexi's stay. Hopefully they won't, but this guide is here to provide a reference. If anything on this list does not work, or the problem is not listed here, please use the contact information provided to get in touch with me.

Power Outage/Heat Mat Failure

In case of a power outage, there have been heat packs provided. If the power is going to be out for multiple hours (for instance in the case of a downed power line), activate the heat pack as soon as possible. Be sure to let the heat pack have a chance to activate, and return to a normal temperature, as the initial reaction will cause the heat pack to be extra hot. The packs are rated for around 70 hours, so it should last the duration of a power outage. The instructions for activation are on the heat packs.

If the heat mat has failed, then please contact me with the information provided at the front desk.

Out of Water

If you run out of treated water before the end of Lexi's stay and you need more, use the provided bottle of water treatment. It is the blue bottle, labeled Repti-safe. Simply fill the spray bottle to the 8 oz. mark, and drop 2 drops of the water treatment into the water. Shake and let sit for at least 30 minutes before use.

Lexi is Pale

What is most likely happening when Lexi has gone pale is that she's about to shed. If you can notice that she's pale, she should shed fairly soon after you see her. Leopard geckos tend to not change color when sick, so this is nothing to worry about.

Lexi Has Skin Stuck To Her Head/Tail/Hands

Lexi will sometimes have skin stuck to her after shedding; usually on the top of her head. If this happens, carefully remove her from the enclosure, and grab the loose skin. Carefully grab the loose skin, and Lexi will usually do the rest. If she doesn't, peel the skin gently to avoid injury. If the skin appears stuck, place lexi back into the enclosure; she will rub against a rough surface, or loosen the skin in her humidity box. If it is still there many hours later, it is OK to try again.

If you successfully remove the patch of skin, offer it to her; she may want to eat it, as she would have done with the rest. This will allow her to regain some calcium from the shed skin.

Lexi Isn't Eating

Lexi may not eat on feeding day, especially if she has not been there for that long. Moving to a new environment can be stressful for a leopard gecko, and a common side-effect of stress is refusing food. Lexi may also have shed recently, and may not be hungry after eating her shed skin.

If Lexi refuses food, check the temperature of her warm hide. If the temperature is normal, then contact me with the information provided at the front desk. If she does not eat, it is not necessary to feed her until the next day of the feeding schedule.

The Food Has Run Out

While the food provided should last Lexi until I return, food items may just die off for seemingly no reason. This is also provided for if my flight home is delayed, and Lexi will be present for another feeding. If the food has run out, use the provided container of Repashy Grub Pie. To make it, use the provided glass bowl, and the teaspoon measuring cup. Measure 2 teaspoons of tap water into the bowl, and microwave until boiling; this should only take around 15 seconds. After drying the teaspoon, add 1 teaspoon of powder, and stir using the back end of the spoon. Let the mixture cool at room temperature for around 20 minutes, cut into squares with the provided butter knife, and use the provided skewer to feed pieces of the mixture to Lexi. The pieces should be quite small; smaller than the space between her eyes on all sides. Be sure to wiggle it around to get her interested so that she will strike. Do not worry about the skewer; it will have been blunted so that it will not hurt her. Do not worry if she bites the skewer; it may make a cracking sound, but whether this is the skewer or her teeth, it doesn't matter; if she loses a tooth or two, they will grow back. Lexi most likely won't eat the whole batch, so the remaining food at the end can be discarded; she usually only gets just above half the batch.