Brenda Khan
A crested gecko's diet should be a mix of insects and fruit, closely mimicking what they would eat in the wild. Insects are a great source of protein, and you can add extra protein to your gecko's diet by feeding them crickets, roaches, or mealworms. You can also add insects to fruit purees or commercial meal replacement powders (MRPs) to increase protein levels. Commercial gecko diets, such as Repashy and Pangea, are formulated to provide the right balance of nutrients, including protein, and are a convenient option for gecko owners. However, it's important to check the calcium-phosphorus ratio and avoid unnecessary additives and sugars.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Commercial crested gecko food | Pangea, Repashy, Zoo Med, Exo Terra, Fluker's Crested Gecko Diet, Black Panther Zoological, etc. |
| Commercial food type | Meal-replacement powders (MRP), granules/pellets |
| Commercial food preparation | Mix 1 part powder with 2 parts water to form a paste |
| Commercial food frequency | Most of the time, with the occasional insect and piece of fruit |
| Insects | Crickets, roaches, mealworms, etc. |
| Insect preparation | Gut-loaded, dusted with calcium, freeze-dried |
| Fruit | Banana, papaya, watermelon, mango, fig, etc. |
| Fruit preparation | Pureed, fresh |
| Fruit frequency | Occasional |
| Fruit warnings | Avoid citrus, baby food, and added sugar |
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What You'll Learn
Insects as a protein source
Insects are a great source of protein for crested geckos and can be used to supplement their diet. In the wild, crested geckos feed on insects, fruits, and the nectar of flowers. In captivity, it is recommended to feed them a commercial diet, such as Pangea or Repashy, which provides a nutritionally balanced meal. However, you can also offer insects to your crested gecko as a treat or to increase the protein content of their diet.
There are a few options for feeding insects to your crested gecko. One option is to feed them live insects, such as crickets or roaches. It is important to introduce live insects to your gecko at a young age if you plan on offering them as food. You can also gut-load and dust insects with calcium to add extra nutrients to your gecko's diet. Small dubia roaches are a great option as they are packed with nutrition and can be easily stored.
Another option is to feed your crested gecko freeze-dried insects. These can be blended into fruit smoothies or purees that you make for your gecko. However, some geckos may not be interested in eating freeze-dried insects, so it is important to introduce live insects first.
If you choose to feed your crested gecko insects, it is recommended to do so at least once a week. Insects provide more protein than traditional meal replacement powders (MRPs) and can help growing juveniles and breeding females get the extra protein they need. Additionally, feeding insects can help malnourished geckos gain back weight faster.
When choosing a commercial diet for your crested gecko, you may opt for one that includes insects. Pangea offers several flavours with insects, such as their mixed fruit or fig with insects options. These can be a good choice if you want to ensure your gecko is getting enough protein and a more complete diet.
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Meat as a protein source
Meat is not a suitable source of protein for crested geckos. While crested geckos are omnivores, their diet in the wild primarily consists of insects, fruits, and the nectar of flowers. They are both frugivorous and insectivorous. In captivity, it is important to ensure that their diet contains a proper balance of nutrients, especially calcium and phosphorus, to maintain their health.
Commercial crested gecko food is a convenient option that provides a nutritionally complete diet for your pet. These include meal-replacement powders and granules/pellets. Repashy and Pangea are two reputable brands that offer commercial diets with proper calcium-to-phosphorus ratios, added supplements, minerals, and protein.
If you choose to create your own purees or smoothies, it is important to include a source of protein. However, instead of meat, you can add gut-loaded freeze-dried insects such as crickets to provide the necessary protein component. It is recommended to introduce live insects to your gecko before offering them in pureed form. Additionally, you can include plain yogurt in the smoothie, but this should only be offered once or twice a month.
While meat should be avoided as a protein source for crested geckos, it is important to note that leopard geckos, another species of gecko, are insectivores and should only consume insects as their primary food source. Their digestive systems are specifically designed to process insect matter, and they lack the ability to digest fruits, vegetables, or meat effectively.
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Commercial diets with added protein
Commercial diets are the best formulas for feeding your crested geckos. There are two types of commercial crested food available: meal-replacement powders (MRP) and granules/pellets. MRPs come in powder form and are mixed with water into a paste, while granules/pellets are small ball-shaped foods that can be put directly into a food bowl.
Some popular brands that offer MRPs include Pangea and Repashy. Pangea offers a wide variety of flavors, including banana/papaya, watermelon, and mango, as well as a breeding formula mix. Repashy is formulated by a specialist in the gecko field, Allen Repashy, and contains vitamin D3, calcium, other minerals and vitamins, pigments, and protein. It also comes in different flavors, such as mango. Both Pangea and Repashy have proper calcium-phosphorus ratios, which is important because too much phosphorus will bind to calcium and cause a deficiency.
Another brand to consider is Black Panther Zoological (BPZ), which offers a gecko diet focused on 100% insect-based protein. This formula is closer to what crested geckos eat in the wild. Zoo Med is also an option; they have been in the reptile industry since 1977 and their crested gecko food line includes organic fruits with a calcium-phosphorous ratio of 3.5:1.
When choosing a commercial diet, it is important to consider the nutritional content. The exact balance of nutrients can be hard to figure out, but tools like "guaranteed analysis" can help you compare products by showing the minimum crude protein and fat, and the maximum fiber and moisture in a product. It is also important to avoid unnecessary additives and processed sugars.
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Pureed fruits with added protein
Pureed fruits can be a tasty treat for your crested gecko, but they should be fed occasionally and in moderation. While crested geckos eat a lot of fruits in the wild, most captive geckos are fed commercial diets. These commercial diets are formulated to provide almost everything your crested gecko needs.
If you want to add protein to your crested gecko's diet through pureed fruits, you can add some plain yoghurt to the fruit puree. This is known as the 'Hilde Diet'. You can also add 1/4-1/3 parts of turkey or chicken meat to the fruit puree. It is important to remember that these pureed fruits with added protein should only be given to your crested gecko once or twice a month.
If you are preparing your own purees, it can be difficult to achieve balanced levels of calcium, phosphorus, and other vitamins and minerals. To avoid this, you can prepare a puree with a 2:1 ratio of calcium to phosphorus. You can also add gut-loaded freeze-dried insects, such as crickets, to the fruit puree. However, it is important to note that freeze-dried crickets may not be as appealing to your crested gecko as live crickets.
When preparing pureed fruits, it is best to use fresh fruits. Baby food is not a good alternative as it does not contain as many nutrients as fresh fruit, and it often contains additives and preservatives that are not healthy for your gecko. If you are using fresh fruits, make sure to cut the food into tiny bits or blend them in a food processor. Remember to only give your crested gecko soft fruits that are moderate to high in calcium and low in phosphorus. Avoid citrus fruits, as these can harm your gecko's health.
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Calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in food
The calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, or Ca:P ratio, is an important aspect of a crested gecko's diet. While most fruits contain a lot of phosphorus and moderate to low amounts of calcium, it is important to ensure that the calcium content is not too low, as this can lead to calcium deficiencies over time.
The recommended Ca:P ratio for crested geckos is between 1:1 and 2:1, with 2:1 or higher being optimal. This means that for every unit of phosphorus, there should be an equal or greater amount of calcium. To calculate the ratio, divide the amount of calcium by the amount of phosphorus. For example, a ratio of 12.9% Ca:P means that there is only 13% of the amount of calcium as there is phosphorus.
Fruits with a high or moderate Ca:P ratio can be fed more frequently, while those with a low ratio should be fed less often or in smaller amounts. Examples of fruits with a good Ca:P ratio include figs, dates, cactus fruits, and citrus fruits. However, citrus fruits may not be palatable to all geckos, and star fruit should be avoided due to its high oxalate content.
Commercial diets, such as Repashy and Pangea, are formulated to have proper Ca:P ratios, added supplements, minerals, and protein. These diets are a convenient way to ensure your gecko's nutritional needs are met without the need for calculating ratios or supplementing individual nutrients.
In addition to a balanced diet, crested geckos may benefit from supplements such as calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D3. However, it is important to be cautious when supplementing, as both under-supplementation and over-supplementation can lead to health issues.
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Frequently asked questions
The best commercial crested gecko diets with added protein include insects, such as Pangea with insects (mixed fruit) or Pangea Fig with insects. Repashy is also a good option, as it contains protein, vitamins, minerals, and pigments.
Insects that can be added to a crested gecko's diet for extra protein include crickets, roaches, and mealworms. It is recommended to feed geckos insects at least once a week. Insects should be gut-loaded and dusted with calcium D3 before feeding.
To add protein to a homemade gecko diet, use 1/4-1/3 parts of turkey or chicken meat mixed with fruit. You can also add gut-loaded freeze-dried insects, such as crickets.
