African fat tailed geckos are one of the most popular reptiles for beginners and experienced pet owners. These lizards can live for up to 25 years in captivity.
To keep your gecko healthy, provide a balanced diet. Feed them crickets or other small insects, such as mealworms or wax worms. Supplementation is also important for captive geckos, so we recommend a vitamin powder high in D3 and calcium powder.
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Crickets
African fat tailed geckos are insectivorous and will feed on crickets, roaches and mealworms. Feed them healthy, gut loaded crickets and roaches coated with vitamin/mineral supplements.
These insects should be fed at least once a day to a growing gecko and several times a week to an adult. Make sure the insects are small enough for your gecko to swallow and do not feed them more than the space between their eyes, otherwise they can choke.
African fat tailed geckos can self-regulate their body temperature and live happily without lighting during the day, but they do best with UVB (ultraviolet B) lighting. This can be achieved by providing a heating mat or bulb on one side of their enclosure, keeping the other end at about 88-92 degrees Fahrenheit.
Mealworms
African fat-tailed geckos are cousins of the leopard gecko and are native to West Africa, from Senegal to Cameroon. They are 8-10 inches long, nocturnal lizards.
They eat insects and other invertebrates in their natural habitats. They can be fed crickets, mealworms and wax worms in captivity.
Mealworms are a common and popular diet supplement for reptile owners as well as avid bird watchers who like to keep their backyard feeders full of mealworms.
They are also beneficial to our environment, as they can help break down polystyrene plastic (such as styrofoam), a problem that affects our planet in many ways. A study published in 2015 found that mealworms are able to digest plastic and turn it into biodegradable frass.
Roaches
African fat-tailed geckos (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus) are mid-sized, nocturnal terrestrial geckos native to dry and moist savanna areas of western Africa. They are docile and easy to handle, though they can be skittish as juveniles.
They are carnivorous, preying on insects in the wild. Feeding your gecko a variety of different insects will help them to thrive and provide them with the nutrients they need.
A good variety of crickets, cockroaches, mealworms, and wax worms should be provided to your gecko every day. All feeder insects should be “gut-loaded” with calcium or multivitamin powder before feeding to ensure your gecko gets everything it needs from their diet.
Silkworms
African fat tailed geckos are primarily insectivores, which makes silkworms the perfect food for them. They are high in protein and lizards often find them tasty.
Silkworms are the larval or caterpillar stage of Bombyx mori moths. They eat mulberry leaves and make the material we call silk.
The worms go through six stages of growth and develop in two weeks. The larval stage is about 2-3/4 inches long and a third of its body weight.
To feed silkworms, put fresh leaves into a container that has a lid. The worms will not be able to crawl from the old leaf to the new one right away, but after five days they should be strong enough to do so.
Pinkie Mice
If you want to give your gecko some variety, pinkie mice are an excellent choice. They are high in protein and contain important vitamins, minerals, and calcium that your pet needs.
They can also be a good way to provide nutrition to pregnant leopard geckos. They need extra protein to ensure they are able to lay healthy eggs.
Pinkie mice are also a good source of calcium for your gecko, which helps them maintain their weight and keep their skin healthy.
The fat content of a pinkie varies from 4 to 15%, depending on its age. If you give your gecko too many, they could become obese and suffer from health problems like gout or a fatty liver.
A good rule of thumb is to feed your gecko a pinkie every week or two to help them bulk up and stay strong.
