Leopard geckos are insectivores, eating insects predominantly. Soft fruits and vegetables should only make up 10% or so of their diet.
Crickets are the go-to feeder insect for leos, as they’re easy to access, affordable, and nutritious. As with other feeder insects, however, crickets must first be dusted with a nutritional powder before being fed to them.
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Mealworms
Leopard geckos consume insects such as mealworms, superworms and hornworms as dietary supplements; fruit and vegetables should also be provided regularly as their diet may contain high protein amounts that could pose long-term health concerns for their diets.
Waxworms make great treats for geckos; however, they should not replace crickets or mealworms and should only be given in small amounts as treats.
Mealworms are an ideal food choice as they’re readily available at most pet stores and online. Not only are they inexpensive, high in protein and easily stored, they can even be placed in the fridge to slow their molting process and prolong their lifespan. Zoo Med Reptivite with D3 from Northampton Reptile Centre makes a perfect dusting powder option.
Crickets
Leopard geckos are strict insectivores, so providing them with a range of feeder insects to diversify their diet is ideal to keeping their feeding experience exciting. Crickets are easily available, easy to keep alive and breed in captivity and low in fat content; additionally they help trigger leos’ natural hunting instinct as well as maintaining proper tail length.
Another staple insect for geckos includes hornworms, silkworms and grasshoppers. Waxworms may also be given as treats; however, too much fat intake could lead to obesity that compromises its health.
Dubia roaches are another good option because they’re easy to keep, low in fat content, don’t fly or climb smooth surfaces, gut load well (feeding something nutritious beforehand to the insects before offering to your reptile) and offer more insect-like nutrition than crickets. All insects should be offered regularly alongside an additional dose of vitamin powder in order to ensure that your pet receives all of the necessary vitamins.
Waxworms
Leopard geckos enjoy eating hornworms, silkworms, locusts and dubia roaches as staple foods for their diets. If feeding these insects as regular diet, gut-load them first by dusting or dusting with high calcium powder like Castaway Organics’ Insecta Load or Fluker’s High-Calcium Cricket Diet before offering to your pet.
Some owners may try offering their geckos raw, soaked vegetables and fruit; however, this can create health complications as leopard gecko digestive systems aren’t designed to digest nonliving plant matter as efficiently as well-balanced insect diets are.
Some leopard gecko owners may suggest feeding their leo an occasional newborn rodent (known as a “pinkie”), though this shouldn’t be done regularly as baby rodents contain far too much fat for regular diet. Furthermore, any glowing or luminescent bugs should also be avoided as these could contain chemicals toxic to reptiles.
Other Feeder Insects
Owners who feed leopard geckos crickets tend to prefer them over mealworms or roaches as they’re easier to breed and smell less foul. Crickets are readily available and can even be gut-loaded before eating (just like with worms) for increased nutritional benefits. Furthermore, before feeding crickets should also be dusted with vitamin powder for optimal nutrition, and fresh water should always be provided as part of their care routine.
Feed your gecko some healthy earthworms once or twice every week as these provide essential moisture and nutrition for their wellbeing.
Many pet owners feed their geckos wax worms as treats on occasion, providing essential protein sources and acting as an inducement to encourage reluctant or sick leopard geckos to eat. Feeding leopard geckos a variety of insects ensures that they receive all of the essential vitamins and minerals.
