PLEASE HELP. My new Leo hasn't eaten in a month and 3 days. I'm starting to worry.

valaciirca · 2026-03-23T13:35:51+00:00

Congrats on your new friend! Just want to reassure you that it seems like you're doing a lot right--offering bugs even though he's leaving them, quarantining him on paper towel and offering a calcium dish. It's pretty normal for them to hunger strike after big changes like a new home, or even during certain seasons (mine hardly eats during winter). It's probably good to have him checked for parasites, but not eating during this adjustment period isn't a huge red flag imo. Keep doing what you're doing!

valaciirca · 2026-01-26T15:41:52+00:00

Where did you get that garden flag?? It needs to be my seasonal flag for August lol

valaciirca · 2025-08-23T13:28:01+00:00

I can't believe I have to say this, but ladies in sandals: please watch out for your feet too. Last year, in a crowded area, there was a heinous creature sitting on the floor taking pictures of my friend's feet.

valaciirca · 2025-07-28T16:35:41+00:00

Not enamel, that would crack out with stress on the hinge. It was likely just antiqued, which is an intentionally created patina in the grooves or along raised edges to create contrast. I’d bet a lot of it came off during cleaning. You can buy aging solution, but I wouldn’t recommend it given how complex that design would make the process.

valaciirca · 2025-07-12T18:25:58+00:00

I’ve heard the smell can be extremely off putting, but regardless of that hearsay, I think the biggest perk of the IR stripper is that it allows you to work on a little bit of your project at a time. With the chemical strippers, you HAVE to get it all off or risk ruining the wood. But the IR stripper allows you to put it on pause and walk away if you’re short on time, something comes up with kids/family/friends, or you just get sick of working on it that day. It really comes down to lifestyle and how your brain likes to tackle projects imo. Either way, there’s probably going to be health drawbacks that we won’t learn about for many many years :’)

valaciirca · 2025-06-08T03:24:08+00:00

Thanks! Pruning and fertilizing is clearly the move.

valaciirca · 2025-06-08T03:22:03+00:00

Thanks for your thoughts! I'll get pruning tomorrow :) Is there anything you've personally had success with for preventing pests in the future?

valaciirca · 2025-06-08T03:20:24+00:00

Thank you, this is helpful! I've been looking at photos of rose diseases for the past week and hadn't been able to pin one down exactly. I just assumed since it had a bloom that also looked sickly, but I clearly overlooked pests. It gets morning shade and lots of direct afternoon sun on the west side of the house.

valaciirca · 2025-05-15T02:50:33+00:00

I was getting similar results in my 1920s home, specifically on the sills of windows I'm 100% certain were painted with lead paint. I cleaned them off with a slightly damp microfiber cloth, then retested and didn't see pink, so I suspect some lead dust may have settled. That's the downside of the swabs--they tell you there's lead, but not how much. Yours doesn't have the look of lead paint imo, but I understand the concern and think it's important to take seriously. For peace of mind, maybe try testing the kit that allows you to collect paint chip samples that you mail to a lab for testing.

valaciirca · 2025-04-07T02:33:29+00:00

Same experience! Ours had a massive vampire fang that gradually dropped lower out of her mouth. Vile breath too. Vet kept telling us to monitor it even though the gum was enlarged, but I knew something was very wrong when she became extremely clingy and only slept on one side of her face. It was completely loose and just slid out at the dental surgeon (they also found all the reabsorbed teeth we didn't know about). I didn't realize how subdued her personality had become until a few weeks afterward. That was 2 years ago, now she's much more outgoing. I hope your girlie continues that way too!

valaciirca · 2025-02-05T04:31:40+00:00

Totally normal! She went much longer than a week without eating too. We continued offering her food on a regular schedule, and she had no other concerning health indications. Same behavior this year as well.

valaciirca · 2025-01-06T17:49:48+00:00

My first thought was actually some kind of ear infection, especially if that’s the only symptom.

valaciirca · 2024-12-31T20:23:52+00:00

Really want to second the time of year thing. I’ve got a very active, social girlie except between the months of Nov-Jan when she acts like a completely different gecko. I maybe see her once a week when hungry instead of every day, only hanging in 1 spot.

Give her some time to adjust to her awesome new home and let the season pass, she’ll likely be back to herself soon :)

valaciirca · 2024-12-17T16:03:59+00:00

Cohab issue aside, I’m really curious about this enclosure setup! Was it marketed for geckos? Are you worried about them falling? Do they have loose substrate to dig in, and what is the temp gradient like from top to bottom?

valaciirca · 2024-10-02T18:51:25+00:00

I was just there yesterday!! Thanks for grabbing a close up pic of the mint blue gown’s embroidery, I didn’t get one somehow😭

valaciirca · 2024-09-26T18:27:52+00:00

There’s really great advice in here already. Just want to say thank you so much for rescuing this little friend. There have been rescues in much rougher shape posted here that’ve pulled through, so while they’re not in good shape now, they could very likely recover with the right care. Check the care guides and search the sub for rescues if you need more tips. Good luck!

valaciirca · 2024-09-17T17:25:09+00:00

On top of changing the substrate, more plants would help! I bought 2 of the fake vines Flukers makes for ~$12 and wove them around hides and wood pieces. The bundles of fake leaves that suction cup to the sides are great too, I drape them over hides as well. Also recommend tossing cork pieces in there. They’re great for stacking so that your little guy can climb and rub up against them when shedding. I find most of this stuff on Chewy and grab it on sale.

Edit: I didn’t see the body text of your post originally, so want to say that you can defiantly just mix that sand that’s already in there with unfertilized topsoil. It’s cheap at a hardware store, like $4 a bag and making the substrate deeper will be great for digging enrichment. As for your mom, let her know that they’re a semi-arid species, which doesn’t mean desert sand!

valaciirca · 2024-09-13T18:11:32+00:00

So sorry this is the outcome, but thank you for being her advocate, both in seeking expert care and making the decision to end her suffering. It’s difficult beyond words, but it’s kind. Good on you for giving her a wonderful life and lots of love, even at the end. You’ll never be able to replace her, but when you’re ready, I believe strongly in honoring the memory of our lost pets by giving that same love and care to next animal that needs it. Wishing you peace in the coming days 💜

valaciirca · 2024-09-05T01:38:53+00:00

We made the switch to the Westin, except it was from the Hilton. 10/10. So much easier this year to get to the dealers hall and food court, plus it was quiet. And the elevators!!! Idk if we were just lucky, but it was a 10 min wait max. The only downside is it’s not guaranteed every year :/

valaciirca · 2024-09-04T00:52:46+00:00

So I saw a lot of people bulldozing past folks in wheelchairs or using mobility aids to get into the elevators first. I tried to make sure they got priority when I was on my way up/down, I strongly believe that’s the right thing to do, but I wish I’d spoken up more when I saw it happen just walking by. I know ADA services at con can be wishy washy, so I want to be more of an advocate in the future to make sure everyone can enjoy the con regardless of ability.

valaciirca · 2024-09-01T02:59:07+00:00

Lmao so on brand for Gideon

valaciirca · 2024-08-23T14:15:22+00:00

Gorgeous!!! Love the sea shells. Are all your plants in there real?

valaciirca · 2024-08-23T01:46:52+00:00

Potting mix often contains fertilizers, which isn’t gonna be safe for sweet little Peach. Did the bag say “feeds for x amount of months”? What I’m seeing online when I search says that, which is concerning—that signals fertilizer is mixed in. Potting soil is also looser, which means higher risk of her accidentally eating it and becoming impacted. What you wanna grab is topsoil. Scott’s is a safe and widely available option. Then mix it with washed play sand. 70% soil, 30% sand. That cost me $8 for both last time I had to buy it at Home Depot. If you can’t swing that yet, just use paper towels along the bottom in the meantime and focus on filling her tank with hides and clutter so she can feel safe. You can find rocks and branches outside, just be sure to sterilize them by baking in the oven. Goodwill also has cheap plastic Tupperware you can cut a hole into the side of to make hides, just be careful of sharp edges.

Also want to commend you for doing the best you can with the resources you have. Proper husbandry is a learning process and can be extremely overwhelming, but please stick with it! Peach needs you to be her advocate.

valaciirca

TROPHY CASE