Non-Wormsīesides the common worms, Leopard Geckos eat a wide variety of insects in the wild – even baby rodents and bigger prey like scorpions. They are also more expensive and harder to get and keep than other worms, like mealworms. They can be used as a major part of your gecko’s diet, but should not be fed exclusively. They are high enough in Calcium to cover your gecko’s needs, and contain a range of other beneficial micro-nutrients. However, their excellent nutritional profile is worth the effort for many gecko keepers. Usually called Black Soldier Fly Larvae, these larvae should not be fed, kept in a box with soil, and need to be briefly washed before fed to your gecko. These worms are a little more complicated to keep, but are very popular feeder insects for Leopard Geckos. Feeding your gecko worms too often can lead to malnutrition and/or obesity. However, they often contain more fat than crickets or roaches. Worms are a popular choice for Leopard Geckos as they are so easy to store, can be bought in bulk, and are easy to feed. With that in mind, let’s explore the full list of safe food choices. Treats can be fed occasionally, but should not be fed too often. However, it’s best to not rely on a single staple feeder, as a varied diet is important to prevent imbalances. They provide solid nutritional profiles and no big downsides. Staple feeders can be fed every week or even with every meal. When planning a Leopard Gecko’s diet, you need to consider two categories of feeder insects: Similarly, geckos don’t enjoy dead or dried insects. Only feeding a single type of insect does not satisfy a Leo’s nutritional needs. Food List for Leopard GeckosĪ healthy diet for Leopard Geckos consists of a variety of food sources. Additionally, a Leopard Gecko with a weak immune system can easily get infections such as Mouth Rot. As Leopard Geckos shed their skin every four to eight weeks, a vitamin A deficiency can lead to shedding problems, which can be dangerous. Vitamin A is needed not only for eyesight but also for healthy skin and the immune system. Vitamin A: The last of the essential nutrients. Hence the name “Metabolic Bone Disease”: They are essentially absorbing their own bones for survival. This leads to their body absorbing calcium from internal stores: mainly bone tissue. Without Vitamin D, the Leopard Gecko might be eating plenty of calcium, but still be deficient, as it cannot be taken in by their digestive tract. Vitamin D is converted to the hormone calcitriol, the “active vitamin D”, which is responsible for absorbing calcium from food sources in the gut. Vitamin D: This vitamin is just as important as Calcium, as it is needed for the body to absorb the consumed Calcium. Calcium deficiency is a real problem for many captive reptiles, and can quickly lead to fatal Metabolic Bone Disease. (More on gut-loading later)Ĭalcium: Calcium is the most important mineral for Leopard Geckos, as it’s needed for many critical parts: Keeping their bones healthy, and their metabolism, it’s needed for producing eggs (mainly the shells), and general functioning. Gut-loading with fiber-rich vegetables and greens helps with that. General research recommends around 10%, although feeder insects tend to be quite low in fiber. There is no specific research on the ideal amount of fat in a Leopard Gecko diet, but research on insectivore diets recommends around 20%.įiber: A decent amount of fiber is necessary for healthy digestion – just like in humans. (Note that these numbers are excluding moisture content)įat: Leopard Geckos store fat in their bodies, which is necessary in the wild for survival, as they don’t have consistent feeding schedules there. Most feeder insects are very high in protein – Mealworms have around 60%, and crickets and black soldier fly larvae are even higher. Protein: For carnivorous reptiles, the Merck Veterinary Manual recommends a diet with around 50% protein. Don’t worry, though, only a few key nutrients matter – and you can skip this section and still do okay. Protein still builds muscle, and fat is still high in calories. Luckily, the science behind their diet and ours are quite similar. Nutritional Requirements of Leopard Geckosīefore we get into the specifics, let’s look at the general nutritional requirements of your Leopard Gecko. How many wax worms should I feed my leopard gecko a day?
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