Jeffrey Salazar
The crested gecko, or 'Correlophus Ciliatus', is a popular reptile pet due to its relatively simple dietary needs. In the wild, crested geckos are omnivores, but their diet is mostly made up of fruit and nectar. In captivity, there are several ways to feed your gecko. The most popular methods are feeding your gecko a mix of meal-replacement powder and live insects, or feeding them a purely insect- and fruit-based diet. There are also commercial gecko foods available in granule or pellet form. This article will explore the different options available for feeding your pet gecko.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Commercial food type | Meal-replacement powders (MRP) or granules/pellets |
| MRP preparation | Mix one part powder with two to three parts water to form a paste |
| MRP storage | Refrigerate leftovers and use within 7 days |
| MRP feeding | Use feeding cups or a food bowl in the evening |
| Insect food | Crickets, Dubia roaches, worms, and calcium worms (BSFL) |
| Insect feeder size | No larger than the distance between the gecko's eyes |
| Fruit | Honey, banana, apple, papaya, blueberries, mangoes, and pears |
| Fruit frequency | Once a month or once/twice a month as a treat |
| Vegetables | Feed insects vegetables before offering them to geckos (gut loading) |
| Water | Spray enclosure once a day; provide a small water dish |
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What You'll Learn
Insects and fruit
Fruit is also an important part of a crested gecko's diet. When feeding fruit to your gecko, it is important to remove the peel and wash the fruit to avoid bacteria and pesticides. Some good fruits to feed to crested geckos include mangos, bananas, figs, strawberries, watermelons, blueberries, honey, and apples. Fruit can be mashed up and offered in a shallow dish, or mixed with meal replacement powder. However, there is no determined amount of fruit that should be given to a crested gecko, and it is generally given as a treat.
There are also commercial diets available that offer a mix of insects and fruit. Repashy superfoods and Pangea pre-mixed foods are popular options that offer a variety of scents, flavours, and colours. The Arcadia range is another good option, with mixes that contain insects, fruit, honey, flowers, and probiotics. These commercial diets can be a good choice for new gecko owners who may not be experienced with balancing their gecko's diet.
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Commercial gecko food
MRPs come in powder form and are mixed with water to create a paste. This type of food can be purchased at a local pet store or online. When preparing MRPs, it is important to mix one part powder with two to three parts water. The mixture may appear watery at first but will thicken into a paste within a few minutes. Leftover paste can be refrigerated and used within seven days. It is important to remove any uneaten food within 24 hours to prevent spoilage and bacterial growth.
Granules or pellets are another convenient option, as they can be placed directly into the food dish. These are typically made from premium natural protein, plant, and fruit ingredients, dehydrated at high temperatures to ensure preservation.
In addition to commercial gecko food, it is beneficial to supplement your pet's diet with insects. Crickets are a popular choice as they are a good source of protein and are inexpensive. However, it is important to ensure that the insects are no larger than the distance between your gecko's eyes to prevent choking.
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Meal replacement powders
When preparing MRP, it is important to mix one part powder with two to three parts water. The mixture may appear watery at first, but it will thicken into a paste within a few minutes. If you make too much, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to seven days. It is important to remove any leftovers within 24 hours to prevent bacteria and unpleasant smells.
While MRP provides a complete diet for geckos, some owners choose to supplement it with live food or treats. Live food, such as insects and worms, can be a beneficial addition to a gecko's diet, providing extra weight gain and nutritional benefits. However, it is not necessary, and geckos can live healthy lives on a diet of solely MRP.
In addition to MRP, geckos can also enjoy treats such as mashed soft fruits and worms, which are high in fat content. It is important to limit treats to once or twice a month, as too much fat and phosphorus can lead to health issues.
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Calcium and bone health
Calcium is an essential mineral for crested geckos, as it helps form the structure of bones, teeth, and eggshells, and is also necessary for muscle and nerve function. In the wild, crested geckos obtain calcium by consuming insects, fruit, and vegetation, but in captivity, their diet can be more limited, and they may not get enough calcium from food alone. Therefore, it is important to provide a calcium supplement to ensure they receive the necessary amount of calcium for proper bone growth and development.
A balanced calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, ideally 2:1, is important for crested geckos to maintain proper nutrition and avoid health problems like metabolic bone disease. Providing a varied diet that includes calcium-rich foods, as well as calcium supplements, can help ensure that crested geckos receive sufficient calcium. Calcium supplements can be given at every feeding, especially for young and growing geckos. For adult crested geckos, it is usually sufficient to provide calcium supplements two to three times a week.
The amount of calcium a crested gecko needs depends on several factors, including age, size, diet, and activity level. Female crested geckos require more calcium in their diet to produce strong and healthy eggs, and they have larger calcium sacs than male geckos. If the calcium sacs are round and white, they are healthy and have sufficient calcium reserves. However, grey or black calcium sacs can indicate a calcium deficiency.
To supplement calcium, you can add 2-4% calcium to the dry diet once a week with no ill effects. This should be calcium without vitamin D3, as there is already plenty of D3 in the Pangea Gecko Diet. You can also lightly dust insects with a calcium and D3 supplement. It is important to note that it is possible to supplement with too much calcium, which can also lead to health problems. Therefore, monitoring the calcium sacs and the gecko's overall health is crucial to ensure they receive the proper amount of calcium.
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Live insects and gut loading
Live insects are a crucial part of a crested gecko's diet, providing physical and mental stimulation. Hunting insects keeps your gecko engaged and active. Gut loading these insects can further enhance their nutritional value.
Most insects raised as feeders for pet lizards contain few nutrients naturally. However, by gut loading, or providing them with a nutritious meal before feeding them to your gecko, you can increase their nutritional value. The process is simple: combine a leafy green vegetable with a piece of carrot, orange, or apple, and add some whole grains like oats or barley. This nutritious meal for the insects will then be partially passed on to your gecko within 24 hours.
There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing live insects for your gecko. Firstly, ensure the insects are not larger than the distance between your gecko's eyes to prevent choking hazards. Secondly, provide a variety of insects to prevent boredom and ensure a well-rounded diet. Common insects for crested geckos include crickets, dubia roaches, moths, and spiders.
If you are unable to source live insects or prefer a more convenient option, pre-made gut load is available for purchase. This option provides a range of nutrients for your gecko without the need for fresh ingredients. Simply dust the insects with calcium powder before serving, and release them into your gecko's enclosure. Collect any uneaten insects after 15 minutes.
While live insects are essential for a crested gecko's diet and enrichment, they should be supplemented with other foods. Commercial crested gecko food, such as meal-replacement powders (MRP) or granules/pellets, can provide additional nutrients and variety. These options are widely available and easy to prepare, ensuring your gecko stays happy and healthy.
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Frequently asked questions
In the wild, crested geckos eat a mix of insects, worms, and fruit. Insects should be no larger than the distance between the gecko's eyes to prevent choking.
CGD is a nutritionally-complete mix designed for crested geckos. It comes in the form of meal-replacement powders (MRP) or granules/pellets.
Mix one part MRP powder with two to three parts water. The mixture will become a thick paste after a few minutes. You can refrigerate any leftovers and use them within seven days.
Calcium is vital for bone health, so consider feeding your gecko calcium worms. You should also provide a small water dish in your gecko's tank to raise the humidity and ensure it always has access to water.
