Leopard geckos are docile and cute pets with attractive eyes. No matter how long you’ve had the pet, it is always hard to deal with its death. Whether the gecko was sick or not, one of the significant things pet owners struggle with is knowing what to do with the dead lizard, and they often wonder;
What Should I do With my Dead Leopard Gecko?
You can bury or cremate your dead leopard gecko. In addition, you can also choose to contact an authority offering dead animal disposal services or hire vet services for the same. Burying and cremating are good options if you want to have a constant reminder of your lizards, such as a location or the ashes.
Leopard geckos often live for 10 to 20 years, but this can be shorter depending on the species, habitat conditions, and other factors. The death of a leopard gecko can occur due to natural factors such as illnesses and aging. Other causes can be sudden such as fatal injuries. When a leopard gecko dies, it is vital to decide what you will do with it as soon as possible.
Below, we offer you options to choose from and also discuss signs of a dying leopard gecko and things you can do to try to defer the death as much as possible.
What To Do With A Deceased Leopard Gecko?
The death of a pet is already devastating, and it can be challenging to know what to do with its body at such a time. If you have sadly found yourself in this unfortunate situation or you are preparing for the same, here are options you can consider on what to do with the body of your dead leopard gecko.
· Burying
Burying is one of the most common ways pet owners deal with dead pets. It is not only easy, given that a leopard gecko is a small animal but it also gives the lizard a permanent place. You can choose to bury the leopard gecko in your backyard or in a cemetery for pets.
Burying allows you to visit the location whenever you miss the pet or in special events such as memorials.
· Cremation
Besides burying, cremation is the other common method of disposing of dead leopard geckos. Upon cremation, you can keep the ashes and relocate with them wherever you go, thus giving you a tangible memory of your leopard gecko anywhere you go. You may also spread the ashes in a river, backyard, or another favorite spot.
With cremation, you may opt for either communal or private. Private cremation is the best option if you wish to collect your pet’s ashes.
· Seek Assistance From Relevant Authorities
Authorities like those dealing with dead animal removal services can come to your aid, especially when you don’t want to touch the dead leopard gecko. In addition, they are also a good choice if you don’t know who the pet owner is.
The service providers not only take the burden of disposing of the gecko from you but also ensure that the disposal is done safely.
· Hire Vet Disposal Services
Other than authorities dealing with the removal and disposal of dead animals, another third party you can hire to dispose of the dead leopard gecko is a vet.
These are great options if you want the lizard handled well, but you are too busy or still grieving. Most exotic vets deal with leopard geckos alive and will, thus, handle them equally well even when dead.
Vet disposal service providers can also help you ascertain the reason for the death of your lizard. Such might help you get closure or help you better handle a pet leopard gecko in the future.
Signs Of A Dying Leopard Gecko?
There are many reasons why a leopard gecko might die. The most common include aging, illnesses, prolonged high temperatures in the enclosure, minerals and vitamin deficiency, dehydration, impaction, and ingesting toxic substances.
Whichever the cause, here are signs that might indicate that all is not okay with your leopard gecko, and the pet might die if there is no immediate intervention.
· Lethargy
A leopard gecko about to die will be too weak to move. As such, it will remain in one place even when you offer it food; it will not move. So, unless it’s about to hibernate or is breeding, lethargy might signal that your leopard gecko is about to die.
· Appetite Loss
If your lizard is not eating as often as it does, it might suffer from indigestion or impaction. Another cause might be extremely high temperatures. It would be best to take the reptile for examination to an exotic vet, just in case the professional can salvage the situation.
· Excess Weight Loss
Sudden and extreme weight loss is detrimental to a leopard gecko. It is because these lizards store fat deposits in their tails. As such, a thinning tail is one of the significant indicators of severe weight loss in the gecko.
Check to ensure that the reptile is feeding well and there are no stress factors in the enclosure. It might also be ideal to contact an exotic vet to help you assess why your pet gecko is losing weight.
· Not Pooping
Not pooping or abnormal poop is never a good sign. It might mean that the lizard has an impaction, parasitic infections, or even indigestion. If you rule out these causes, it might signify that the lizard is about to die.
· Sunken Eyes
A dying leopard gecko has sunken eyes. In addition, the eyes look like they are staring back at you. To confirm if the lizard is still alive, shine a light on your gecko’s eyes and see if the pupil moves.
Avoid placing the light too close to the eyes or using a bright light, as it might affect the lizard’s eyes if it is still alive. If alive, provide the gecko with fresh water, as sunken eyes are often a sign of dehydration. Doing so might just save your pet’s life.
How To Make A Leopard Gecko Live Longer
Nothing prepares a pet owner for its death. Even so, having the lizard for a longer time will allow you to make more memories with the lizard, which can make its death more bearable. Here are tips that can help your lizard live longer.
· Provide A Balanced Diet
Food fuels the body’s functions and promotes cellular activity. Leopard geckos are insectivorous, but not all insects are suitable for geckos. Some have low nutritional value, while others are toxic to the lizard.
A proper and balanced diet for a leopard gecko includes mealworms, superworms, and crickets. Such a diet has vital nutrients and minerals which promote adequate growth and development. It also helps prevent illnesses and promotes quick recovery, which is key to a long lifespan.
· Provide A Hygienic Habitat
Keeping your leopard gecko tank clean helps avoid illnesses and bacterial and parasite infections. Such often arise from a dirty enclosure and can deter the lizard’s growth. In addition, diseases can affect the pet’s health and shorten its lifespan.
An effective way to keep the habitat clean is having a cleaning schedule and avoiding uneaten insects in the tank.
· Provide Fresh Water
Leopard geckos do not drink much water, but you should always provide access to fresh water. The practice helps keep the lizard healthy and well-hydrated, thus promoting the quality and length of life. It would be best to keep the bowls clean to help avoid the growth and spread of fungi, bacteria, and mold.
· Eliminate Stress Factors
Stress is one of the things that can significantly reduce any animal’s lifespan. This is because stress affects the level of activity of the animal and its appetite. For leopard geckos, sources of stress include loud noise, crowded tanks, a dirty tank, and other intimidating leopard geckos in the tank.
· Observe Its Health
Leopard geckos do not need annual check-ups, but it is suitable to take them to an exotic vet for yearly examinations. Such exams help detect illnesses early or growth abnormalities. In addition, it makes treatment easier and more effective.
The above factors promote good health, such as proper diet, hygienic tanks, and fresh water. Besides observing the above, you should also weigh the lizard to monitor weight gain and detect weight loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Expected Lifespan Of A Leopard Gecko?
How long a leopard gecko lives depends on many factors, including its species and captivity conditions such as temperature, humidity, and feeding.
With the right conditions in captivity, leopard geckos have a lifespan of between 10 and 20 years. Even so, breeding females have a smaller lifespan as the process wears down their bodies.
What Causes Leopard Geckos Death?
There are many reasons why a leopard gecko can die. Other than emergencies such as fatal burns or severe falls, a leopard gecko might die due to bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infection, severe metabolic bone disease, poor tank temperature, dehydration, and impaction.
If you suspect your lizard is sick, it is best to take it to an exotic vet for immediate examination.
Conclusion
Irrespective of how many good memories you have with your pet leopard gecko. When your leopard gecko dies, you can choose to bury it, cremate it, or contact a vet or those services providing disposal of dead animals. No matter how sad the situation is, ensure that you make a quick decision lest the pet starts to decompose.