When it comes to Leopard Geckos, a common query among pet owners revolves around their diet. These pet reptiles, known for being cute, small, and relatively easy to care for, have a specialized diet as insectivores. They eat a variety of bugs, making their diets quite different from other pets. A crucial question many ask is, “How Much To Feed Leopard Gecko?“
The amount of food varies depending on the age, weight, and type of food being offered. Juveniles should be fed once a day, whereas adults need feeding every other day. A useful rule of thumb is to provide 2 insects for every 1 inch of their body length.
This feeding guideline comes with certain stipulations. For instance, it’s essential to understand the specific needs of your pet gecko and adjust their diet accordingly. To talk about what you should be exactly feeding them, one must consider the nutritional value and size of the insects, ensuring they are appropriate for the gecko’s size and health.
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What Do Leopard Geckos Eat?
As insectivores, Leopard geckos thrive on a diet that contrasts starkly with typical pets. In the wild, these little lizards feed on a variety of insects, depending on their availability. However, in captivity, we have more control over their diets, tailoring them to their needs.
The type of insects they consume is vital for their health. Usually, the best choices for these reptiles include mealworms, crickets, and roaches. It’s ideally recommended to provide them with live insects, which not only offer them essential nutrition but also stimulate their natural predatory instincts. The shift from wild to captivity doesn’t diminish their inherent need to hunt, making the provision of live feed an integral part of their care.
Should You Feed Your Leopard Gecko Live Insects?
For Leopard Geckos, which are insectivores, live insects are not just a food source; they are essential for both nutrition and mental stimulation. The act of hunting live bugs is a natural behaviour that provides excitement and enrichment in a reptile’s life, helping to prevent boredom and associated behaviours.
Dead or freeze-dried insects, while convenient, don’t offer the same nutritional value. Comparing them is like contrasting a grape with a raisin: the former is more nutritious and appealing to your pet.
The feeding process also involves gut-loading the bugs for about 24 hours before they become a meal for your scaly friend. This means providing the insects with commercially available bug food packed with vitamins and minerals. Once gut-loaded, the insects should be lightly dusted with a calcium supplement to ensure proper nutrition.
This comprehensive approach to feeding maintains your gecko’s happy, healthy state, facilitating regular shedding and overall well-being.
How Big Of Insects Do Leopard Geckos Eat?
When considering the length and size of bugs to feed your gecko, it’s crucial to ensure they are not too big. A good rule of thumb is that the bug should not be longer than the width of the gecko’s head. For juveniles, especially the young ones, extra small worms or crickets are suitable, as their bodies find it difficult to digest larger prey.
Small to medium size insects are generally ideal for adult geckos. It’s important to never offer larger insects that could potentially bite or sting your pet, as this could not only be a hazard but also a less appealing treat for them. The focus should always be on providing manageable sizes that the gecko can safely consume without any risk.
- Infant Geckos: Opt to feed crickets measuring approximately 3/8 inches for your infant gecko.
- Young Geckos: Prefer feeding 1/4 inch-sized crickets to your young gecko.
- Grown Geckos: Choose small adult to full adult-sized crickets for your grown gecko.
- General Guideline: Ensure not to provide insects larger than the gap between the gecko’s eyes.
Good Feeder Insects for Leopard Geckos
- Crickets
- Mealworms
- Superworms (small)
- Hornworms (captive only; wild hornworms are toxic!)
- Dubia roaches
- Discoid roaches
- Silkworms
- Black soldier fly larvae
When selecting feeder insects for your Leopard Gecko, it’s beneficial to offer a rotation of at least 3 different types of feeders. This approach not only provides variety and enrichment for your gecko but also ensures a varied nutrition profile, helping to prevent nutrient deficiency.
A diverse diet can be achieved by including insects like crickets, mealworms, and roaches, each offering unique nutrition stats. For more detailed information, resources such as the ‘Feeder Insect Nutrition Facts for Reptile Keepers’ compendium can be invaluable. This guide helps in understanding the nutritional value of each type of feeder insect, allowing for a more informed and balanced approach to feeding your pet gecko.
Also Read: WHY DO LEOPARD GECKOS LICK THEIR LIPS
Treat Options for Leopard Geckos
- Wax worms
- Butter worms
While worms are high in fat and tasty, they should be fed to Leopard Geckos sparingly, ideally not more than once a week. This is because their high-fat content can quickly lead to weight gain if overused as a treat.
Note:Another occasional treat option is Pinky mice, which are usually offered to help fatten up a gecko, particularly if it has recently dropped its tail and needs extra nutrients to aid in recovery. However, it’s crucial to monitor your gecko’s response to these treats and adjust accordingly to maintain a healthy balance in their diet.
Insects to Avoid for Leopard Geckos
Insects captured from your garden — They might cause illness in your gecko.
- Luminous Insects are Dangerous for Leopard Geckos: Insects that emit light, such as Lightning Bugs and Fireflies, are the most hazardous. They possess chemicals highly poisonous to geckos and must not be used for feeding.
- Risks of Feeding Wild-Caught Insects to Leopard Geckos: There’s a divided opinion on feeding geckos with self-caught insects. Some sources advocate their nutritional and cost benefits, while others, including Thebeardeddragon.org, strongly advise against it due to potential parasites and pesticide traces that could harm your Leopard Gecko.
When deciding what insects to feed your Leopard Gecko, it’s crucial to have in-depth knowledge of which ones could be toxic to them. For instance, insects caught in your own garden might seem like a natural and convenient option, but they could carry risks of pesticide contamination.
Additionally, while certain insects might be seen as a treat, there’s a risk of your gecko becoming addicted to them, subsequently refusing shop-bought food. It’s also important to note that Leopard Geckos may naturally stop eating for weeks or even months, especially during the breeding season or brumation. This is normal behaviour, and as long as their weight remains roughly the same, there should be no cause for concern. Ensuring a safe, balanced diet is key to keeping your gecko fine and healthy
How Much Does A Leopard Gecko Eat?
Determining how many bugs a Leopard Gecko should eat involves understanding their size and health. A common method to determine the right amount is the timing method, particularly for healthy adults. This involves placing live insects in their enclosures and observing how many they consume in 15 minutes. This provides an estimate of the total amount they require in one day.
The size of the gecko plays a crucial role too. You can measure your gecko from the top of its head to the base of its tail; for every inch of body length, an adult gecko typically needs 2 insects. For instance, a 6-inch-long gecko would be fed about 12 insects. However, this varies for juveniles or those who are sick or injured, and who may need a different diet. The key is to adapt the feeding regime to your pet’s specific needs and growth stage.
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How Much Should A Juvenile Leopard Gecko Eat?
When it comes to Juvenile animals like leopard geckos, their diet requires more attention than their adult counterparts. As they are still growing, they need more nutrition to support their growth. Typically, young leopard geckos should be fed about 2 insects for every inch of their body length. This diet differs from adults not only in the amount but also in the frequency of feedings.
Juveniles usually need to eat 2 to 3 times more often than adults. Understanding this will help you feel more confident in how you feed and care for your growing gecko. By keeping these guidelines in mind, you can put all the pieces of the dietary puzzle together, ensuring your juvenile leopard gecko is healthy and thriving.
Age By Age: How Much To Feed A Leopard Gecko
Feeding a Leopard Gecko appropriately involves understanding that the amount and times per week you feed them vary with their age and size. For baby geckos, who are still developing and require ample nutrition, the recommendation is to feed them once a day. This should be followed until they are about 6 to 9 months old.
As they transition into healthy adult geckos, their feeding schedule changes to every other day, with one day being a food day and the next a fasting day. It’s crucial to adjust the feeding frequency and portion size to prevent issues like obesity; for instance, overweight geckos may need feeding only once every three days to return to a healthy weight. Similarly, sick individuals should be offered food daily until they revert to their normal eating habits.
To navigate through these variations, referring to a simple chart that covers the frequency and amount of food based on the gecko’s age/size can be immensely helpful. Such a chart, often found in informative articles, can help you determine precisely what, when, and how much to feed your pet. Always remember that the insects offered should be close in size but not larger than the distance between the gecko’s eyes. This guideline ensures that the food is appropriate for your gecko’s size and prevents any feeding difficulties.
Note: The growth rate differs much based on gender, diet, humidity, light exposure, etc.
(The rate of growth varies significantly depending on factors like gender, diet, humidity levels, and exposure to light.)
This is a generalization.
| Age/Size | Amount Of Insects | Frequency |
| Born/ 3″ inches | 6 insects | Every day |
| 1 month / 4″ inches | 8 insects | Every day |
| 3 months / 5″ inches | 10 insects | Every day |
| 6 months / 6″ inches | 12 insects | Every day |
| 9 months / 7″ inches | 14 insects | Every day/every other day (let the gecko tell you how much it wants to eat) |
| 1 year / 8″ inches | 16 insects | Every other day |
| 18 months/ 10″ inches | 20 insects | Every other day |
How Should You Feed A Leopard Gecko?
Leopard geckos are among the easiest reptiles to maintain, with feeding being a particularly enjoyable aspect. When feeding, it’s beneficial to be present, especially when offering live insects. This not only allows you to ensure your gecko isn’t bitten by an insect that’s too big but also prevents uneaten insects from breeding or creating a mess in the enclosure.
Start by dropping 1-2 insects and observe the hunting prowess of your gecko. As they consume, you can gradually add more until the daily quota is met. Alternatively, hand-feeding can be attempted to tame the gecko and improve handling, although there’s a danger they might associate your fingers with food and bite.
If opting for this method, research thoroughly to avoid a biting incident. Regardless of the method, always dust the insects with a calcium supplement and ensure UVB lighting is in place to prevent metabolic bone disease in your scaly friend.
Also Read: HOW TO BOND WITH YOUR LEOPARD GECKO
Can You Overfeed a Leopard Gecko?
Yes, it is possible to overfeed a Leopard Gecko. A general rule to follow is to feed them 2 insects per inch of their body length. Special care is needed when feeding breeding females or those that have recently laid eggs. Overfeeding can lead to obesity in geckos, placing undue pressure on the body’s functions and making them prone to various health issues, potentially shortening their lifespan.
This is particularly dangerous for geckos that have lost their tail, as they lack the space to store the extra fat and calories. If you notice your gecko “pudging out”, it’s advisable to lower the number of insects to about 3-5, especially for those under six months old. This adjustment should be made for at least a week. If you see bones or ribs showing despite feeding the recommended amount, it’s time to check on your pet’s health.
- Ensure that the size of the insects is comparable to the gap between their eyes.
- Observe any alterations in their faeces and have them examined for parasites.
How Do You Know If Your Pet Gecko Is Overweight?
Identifying if you are feeding your gecko too much can be discerned by assessing their body condition, a scoring system used to gauge whether a pet is over or under their normal weight. The scores range from 1 to 5, with 1 indicating an emaciated gecko in bad shape, characterized by thin, fragile bodies and tails, barely more than skin and bones.
Conversely, a score of 5 signifies an obese gecko. Despite their cute appearance, an obese gecko with an incredibly thick tail that bulges from the base is carrying extra weight. This can be detrimental as it puts additional strain on their thick body and overall health. If you suspect your gecko is overweight, it’s advisable to consult a veterinarian who can confirm or deny your suspicions and provide a safe plan of action to help control and manage your gecko’s weight effectively.
Leopard Geckos and obesity
As a pet owner, it’s your responsibility to avoid overfeeding your Leopard Gecko to prevent obesity. In their natural habitat in the dry regions of South-eastern Asia, these reptiles have developed a habit of efficiently processing and storing fat in their tails, a survival adaptation for the fluctuating availability of food under harsh desert conditions. However, in captivity, this trait can lead to over-eating and subsequent health consequences if their diet isn’t carefully managed.
Typically, a healthy leopard gecko’s tail should be wider than its body, and its stomach should appear flat, especially after feeding. If you notice signs like your gecko’s tail becoming excessively fat or observe symptoms such as lethargy or the tendency to regurgitate food, these could be issues indicating overfeeding.
In such cases, it’s important to cut back on the amount of food given, particularly fatty insects like Waxworms and butterworms. These should be fed sparingly, as they are high in fat and can quickly lead to weight gain. Monitoring and adjusting your gecko’s diet is key to maintaining its health and preventing obesity.
Also Read: WHY IS MY LEOPARD GECKO TRYING TO ESCAPE
My Leopard Gecko is not eating
- If your Leopard Gecko is not eating, check if the tank is too cold; these reptiles rely on external heat to regulate their body’s temperature and digest food. A persistently cold environment can impact their immune system, causing them to go off their food.
- A Leopard Gecko not eating can be stressed, a potential reason for refusing to eat. Stress can be caused by changes in the environment, such as when you bring them home, and they take time to start eating. Setting up the tank with hides for them to retreat can help alleviate this issue.
- An important note for a Leopard Gecko that is not eating could be dehydration; ensure there’s always enough water in their tank. Dehydration can be a significant cause for them to stop eating.
Should your Leopard Gecko continue to avoid food despite following all the above measures, it’s advisable to consult a veterinarian, as this could signal a significant health concern.
Caring for Leopard Geckos fetched snippet
Leopard Geckos, native to the desert areas of Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and India, have become popular in the pet trade since the late 1970s. These nocturnal lizards are primarily insect eaters, and unlike some reptiles, they do not require greens in their diet. When feeding, it’s important to offer two appropriately sized insects for every inch of the gecko’s total length.
This is usually done every other day. Preferred insects like mealworms can be served in a small dish, while crickets can be offered directly into the enclosure without a dish. This method helps prevent choking and ensures easier consumption for the gecko.
For Baby Leopard Geckos, the feeding frequency is higher. They should be fed 5-7 small crickets or mealworms each day until they reach about 4 inches. As they grow, larger food items can be introduced every other day until they are full-grown, usually within 10-12 months. Adults typically consume 6-7 large crickets or mealworms 2 to 3 times a week.
Additionally, supplements like wax worms and Calciworms, which are high in fat, should be given in moderation, around 3 to 5 worms. These are intended as an occasional treat to enrich their diet but should be used sparingly to avoid the gecko getting spoiled and refusing other foods.
FAQs
What should a Leopard Gecko drink?
For hydration, a Leopard Gecko should always have access to clean, fresh water in their tank at all times. Use a shallow dish that’s easy for them to drink from without risk of drowning and ensure it’s stable on the dry substrate of the cage to avoid spillage.
Is it okay to feed canned insects to leopard geckos?
While Leopard Geckos can eat pre-killed food, such as canned insects, it can be helpful in increasing variety in their diet by introducing them to bugs like silkworms or crickets that are hard to find or live. However, avoid dried insects, as they may have a dehydrating effect on these reptiles.
Am I feeding my leopard gecko enough?
To ensure you’re feeding your adult Leopard Gecko adequately, they should be able to eat as many crickets as possible within 15 minutes, every other day – typically more than a dozen per week. Ensure the crickets are gut-loaded and dusted with quality calcium powder, and maintain correct enclosure temperatures for optimal health.
How often do leopard geckos drink water?
Leopard Geckos need fresh water daily in a large water dish that allows them to soak their entire body. Additionally, providing additional soaks in shallow, warm water for 15-20 minutes, 2-3 times a week, is helpful, especially during their shed period.
Conclusion
The care and feeding of Leopard Geckos involve a nuanced understanding of their dietary and environmental needs. From ensuring a diet rich in live, appropriately sized insects, like crickets and mealworms, to maintaining proper enclosure temperatures and hydration, each aspect plays a vital role in their health.
The frequency and amount of feeding vary depending on their age and size, with special considerations for juveniles and breeding females. Owners must also be vigilant about potential health issues like obesity, dehydration, or stress, which can affect their appetite. Offering a variety of feeder insects and occasional treats like wax worms, while avoiding overfeeding and providing clean water daily, ensures the wellbeing of these fascinating reptiles. As with any pet, consistent care and attention to their unique needs will ensure your Leopard Gecko thrives under your care.
