Crested geckos are nocturnal hunters that spend their day concealing themselves within their habitat. To thrive, these creatures require an expansive enclosure with multiple climbing opportunities and a safe, bacteria-free substrate.
Cresteds enjoy eating mangoes, berries and pears as part of their diet; the majority should consist of feeder insects and safe fruits.
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Insects
Crested geckos in the wild are frugivores, feeding on fruits and insects as a primary food source. When kept as pets, crested geckos should receive a varied crested gecko diet containing insect protein sources like dubia roaches or crickets twice or three times each week in addition to fruit-based food items such as watermelons or other fruits.
As an additional treat for their crested gecko, try providing them with some hornworms or waxworms as a treat. These tasty morsels contain fat which will ensure their wellbeing and keep them active and happy.
Insects provide your crested gecko with essential protein and other essential nutrients necessary for their health and growth. Supplementing their diet once every week with feeder insects such as crickets or dubia roaches containing calcium and vitamin D3 dusting them before offering, or feeding a powdered supplement loaded with these vital elements; crickets and dubia roaches tend to be popular choices but superworms and mealworms may also work.
Fruits
Crested geckos need to incorporate fruits like mango, kiwi, papaya, banana, peach, strawberry and cactus fruits into their diet for proper nourishment. Mashing or blending may be required so the gecko can easily digest them; pits or seeds from these fruits must also be removed.
Be wary when offering crested geckos pineapple, as this fruit contains acidic compounds and oxalic acid. Other citrus fruits may be given in moderation.
Dried mango and apricots make delicious treats for crested geckos, being soft and easy to chew on. Premixed food options with both insects and fruit may also be available at pet stores or online retailers.
Vegetables
As with other animals, crested geckos need a varied diet of fruits, vegetables, and insects for proper development. Many owners opt for feeding their pet a complete crested gecko diet (CGD) made of fresh veggies, fruits and live insects in powder form for easy administration.
Pears make an excellent treat, packed with fiber, vitamins C and A and protein – just make sure they’re cut or diced into small pieces before feeding them to your lizard!
Kiwi is an enjoyable treat that provides both vitamin C and fiber. Slice or mash it occasionally and offer it as a meal for lizards; just remember not to offer it raw as its content may interfere with calcium absorption in their bodies.
Baby Food
Crested geckos can be fed a range of live feeders, with dubia roaches being the preferred food as they have more nutritional value than crickets and don’t pose the same potential risk of parasite contamination or contamination from other sources. Other acceptable live foods may include super worms, nutrigrubs mealworms waxworms and hornworms; dubia roaches may be easier to handle and don’t carry parasites or contaminants that could compromise their health as much.
Noting that crested geckos are ectothermic animals is essential, since this means they could become hypothermic if their ambient temperature does not remain steady. Should this occur, consult with a veterinarian immediately.
Crested gecko diets from commercial suppliers are specially formulated to supply your pet with all of the essential vitamins and minerals it requires, prepared from only high quality ingredients and ready for feeding simply by adding water. Most are a blend of fruits, vegetables, meal replacement powders, as well as some antinutrients like goitrogens or oxalates; thus making these diets less likely to contain phosphorus or calcium levels beyond acceptable limits.
