Milly Gaines
Leopard geckos are insectivorous lizards native to the deserts of Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Iran. In the wild, their diet consists of a large variety of invertebrates, the occasional small mammal, and seasonal flowers. In captivity, their diet should consist of commercially raised live insects such as crickets, silkworms, dubia roaches, mealworms, superworms, waxworms, and other live insects.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet Type | Insectivorous |
| Food Type | Live insects, worms, and vitamins |
| Feeding Frequency | Juvenile geckos should be fed every 1-2 days, and adults every 2-3 days |
| Food Size | Insects should not be bigger than the space between the gecko's eyes |
| Food Quantity | Two insects for every inch of body length |
| Food Sources | Commercially raised crickets, silkworms, dubia roaches, mealworms, superworms, waxworms, and other live insects |
| Food Preparation | Insects should be lightly dusted with phosphorus-free calcium powder and other vitamin and mineral supplements |
| Food Alternatives | Occasional newborn rodents ("pinkies"), flowers (e.g., dandelion or nasturtium) |
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What You'll Learn
Leopard geckos should eat live insects only
Leopard geckos are insectivorous lizards, and their diet should consist of live insects only. In the wild, their diet consists of a large variety of invertebrates and the occasional small mammal and seasonal flower. However, in captivity, their diet should be restricted to live insects, including commercially raised crickets, silkworms, dubia roaches, mealworms, superworms, waxworms, and other live insects.
It is important to note that leopard geckos cannot digest fruit or vegetables as they lack a functioning cecum, the part of the body that digests cellulose found in plants. Therefore, their diet should not include any fruit or vegetables, and owners should avoid the temptation to feed them these foods, even if they appear to eat them. Instead, leopard geckos should be fed a varied diet of live insects, with a focus on providing essential vitamins and minerals, such as calcium and vitamin D3.
The most common feeder insects for leopard geckos are mealworms, which are widely available and readily accepted by geckos. However, some debate exists about using mealworms as the primary food source due to their high-fat content and poor phosphorus-to-calcium ratio. Other options for feeder insects include crickets, calciworms, locusts, and waxworms, ensuring that they are no bigger than the size of the gecko's head. It is also important to gut-load the feeder insects with vitamins and minerals 24 to 48 hours before feeding them to the gecko.
Additionally, leopard geckos should be fed an appropriate amount of food to avoid overfeeding and obesity. Baby geckos should be fed every day, while juvenile geckos can be fed every 1-2 days. Healthy adult geckos should be fed every other day, and it is recommended to provide two insects for every inch of the gecko's body length. It is also important to provide a shallow container of clean, fresh water that is changed daily.
In summary, leopard geckos should eat live insects only, and owners should provide a varied diet of feeder insects, ensuring that the insects are gut-loaded with essential vitamins and minerals. By providing the proper diet and husbandry, leopard geckos can live a long, healthy, and happy life.
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Insects should be no bigger than the space between their eyes
Leopard geckos are insectivorous lizards, meaning they eat insects. In the wild, their diet consists of a large variety of invertebrates and the occasional small mammal and seasonal flower. However, in captivity, their diet should consist of live insects, such as crickets, waxworms, and calciworms, and vitamins. It is important to note that leopard geckos cannot digest fruit or vegetables as they do not possess a functioning cecum, the part of the body that digests cellulose. Therefore, their diet should not include any fruit or vegetables.
When feeding a pet leopard gecko, it is crucial to ensure that the insects are no bigger than the space between their eyes. This is because leopard geckos have small mouths and can choke on large insects. Additionally, large insects may be difficult for the gecko to digest, leading to health issues. It is also important to feed them a variety of different insects to provide nutritional variety and enrichment.
The size of the insects you feed your leopard gecko will depend on their age. Baby geckos should be fed crickets that are around 3/8 inches in size, while juvenile geckos can be fed slightly larger crickets of about 1/4 inch. Adult geckos can be fed small to regular-sized adult crickets. It is important to feed the correct size of insects to avoid health issues and ensure proper nutrition.
It is also important to gut-load the feeder insects before feeding them to your gecko. Gut-loading involves feeding the insects a high-quality diet for at least 24 hours before offering them to the gecko. This ensures that the insects are nutritious and can provide the necessary vitamins and minerals to the gecko. Additionally, the insects should be lightly dusted with a phosphorus-free calcium powder before being fed to the gecko.
In conclusion, when feeding a pet leopard gecko, it is crucial to ensure that the insects are no bigger than the space between their eyes to prevent choking and health issues. The size of the insects will depend on the age of the gecko, with baby, juvenile, and adult geckos requiring different sizes. It is also important to provide a variety of insects and to gut-load them before feeding to ensure proper nutrition for your pet leopard gecko.
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Insects should be dusted with calcium and vitamin supplements
Leopard geckos are insectivorous lizards, meaning they eat insects and bugs. In the wild, they feed on a large variety of invertebrates and the occasional small mammal and seasonal flower. However, in captivity, their diet should consist primarily of live, moving, insect prey.
It is important to ensure that pet leopard geckos receive the proper nutrition they need. Their diet should include a variety of different insects, such as commercially raised crickets, silkworms, dubia roaches, mealworms, superworms, waxworms, and other live insects. These insects should be gut-loaded, meaning they are fed a high-quality diet for at least 24 hours before being fed to the gecko. This helps ensure that the gecko receives the necessary vitamins and minerals.
Additionally, it is recommended to dust the insects with calcium and vitamin supplements. This is important because leopard geckos need vitamin and mineral supplements, with a particular focus on calcium and vitamin D3. The calcium supplement should be phosphorus-free. This can be done by lightly dusting the insects with a supplement powder before feeding them to the gecko.
By providing a varied diet of gut-loaded insects dusted with calcium and vitamin supplements, you can ensure that your pet leopard gecko is receiving the proper nutrition it needs to thrive. It is important to remember that leopard geckos can easily become obese, so it is essential to monitor their food intake and ensure they are not being overfed.
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Feed a variety of insects for nutritional enrichment
Leopard geckos are insectivores with a taste for live, moving prey. In the wild, their diet consists of a large variety of invertebrates and the occasional small mammal and seasonal flower. In captivity, their diet should consist of commercially raised insects, with a variety of different species included for nutritional enrichment.
Insects should be no bigger than the space between the gecko's eyes and should be fed to the gecko 2-3 times per week for adults and every 1-2 days for juveniles. The number of insects fed to the gecko should be equivalent to two insects per inch of the gecko's body length.
There are many species of feeder insects available on the market, and the list is increasing. Crickets are a common choice, with commercially raised crickets available. Other options include silkworms, dubia roaches, mealworms, superworms, waxworms, and other live insects.
Mealworms are one of the most popular and most widely sold live foods for lizards and other pets. They are easy to keep and breed, and geckos accept them readily. However, they have a relatively high-fat content and a poor phosphorus-to-calcium ratio, so they should be fed sparingly.
Wild insects can also be fed to leopard geckos to add variety and more nutrients to their diet. However, there is a higher risk of introducing parasites and diseases with wild insects than with regular feeders. When collecting wild insects, ensure the area has not been sprayed with pesticides and is not near significant polluters such as busy roads, power plants, or factories. Stay away from spiders and caterpillars, as spiders can bite your gecko, and many caterpillars have chemical defence mechanisms that can harm them.
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Avoid overfeeding to prevent obesity
Leopard geckos are insectivores with a penchant for overeating. In the wild, they are used to food scarcity in the dry regions of South-eastern Asia, so they have adapted to effectively process and store food. This adaptation, however, can lead to over-eating and obesity in captivity.
To prevent obesity, it is essential to avoid overfeeding your pet leopard gecko. They may have voracious appetites and happily eat whatever food is available, but as their caretaker, it is your responsibility to monitor their diet. Obesity is a severe health problem that can drastically shorten your gecko's lifespan.
Leopard geckos should be fed a varied diet of live invertebrates, or "live food," such as crickets, calciworms, locusts, and waxworms. Insects should be no bigger than the space between their eyes to prevent digestive issues. A healthy diet for a leopard gecko also includes vitamin and mineral supplements, especially calcium and vitamin D3.
It is recommended to feed juveniles daily and adults every other day. The number of insects fed to the gecko should be equivalent to two insects per inch of the gecko's body length. It is also important to provide a shallow dish of clean, fresh water that is changed daily.
In addition to their regular diet, you can occasionally offer your gecko a newborn rodent, known as a "pinkie," especially if you have a breeding female or a growing juvenile. However, these should be given sparingly as they are high in fat.
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Frequently asked questions
Leopard geckos are insectivores and should be fed live insects such as crickets, waxworms, calciworms, locusts, and mealworms. Insects should be no bigger than the space between their eyes.
Baby geckos should be fed every day, while juveniles should be fed every 1-2 days. Healthy adult geckos should be fed every other day.
Insects should be lightly dusted with a phosphorus-free calcium powder and "gut-loaded" with vitamins and minerals 24-48 hours before being fed to your gecko. It is important to not overfeed your gecko, as obesity is a severe health problem for them.
Leopard geckos should not be fed fruit or vegetables as they cannot digest them. Some breeders advise feeding newborn rodents ("pinkies") to breeding females or young geckos, but rodents are too fatty to be a regular food item.
