Crested geckos feed on a diet consisting of insect protein, vegetables and fruit that is similar to their natural diet. Their bones must maintain proper calcium/phosphorous ratio for strong health.
Diets of crested gecko are best balanced with meal replacement powders designed specifically for them and mixed with fruit; other options may include fresh figs, apricots and bananas.
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Blueberries
Blueberries provide crested geckos with essential antioxidants and vitamin C, providing them with a delicious treat occasionally but overfeeding can lead to obesity and diabetes.
Organic fruit choices should always be selected when possible because many conventionally farmed crops contain pesticides that may harm cresties. Rinsing them carefully before eating helps remove any chemicals present that could pose risks.
Cresties in the wild tend to eat non-citrus fruits such as strawberries, blackberries, grapes, pears and apples that provide essential nutrition without altering the calcium-to-phosphorus balance. Plums contain high levels of potassium that could potentially lead to metabolic bone disease in crested geckos if fed over an extended period.
Pears
Pears are high in fiber, helping keep stool soft while also helping regulate blood sugar. Pears also contain vitamin A which is crucial for immune response and night vision – these pears should only be given to your Cresty once every two weeks as they could potentially contain harmful pesticides!
Note that many fruits contain low calcium-to-phosphorous ratios and high levels of oxalic acid, meaning they should only be fed occasionally or mixed with fruits that provide better balance. Some contain persin, a natural fungicide toxic to crested geckos that can lead to unpleasant symptoms in their bodies.
Peaches
Crested geckos require plenty of calcium in their diet in order to avoid Metabolic Bone Disease which can develop among newly hatched or juvenile crested geckos, as well as support their skeletal development. A variety of fruits and vegetables should be fed to your pet to provide all necessary vitamins and nutrients.
Avoid feeding crested geckos foods that contain high concentrations of oxalic acid or phosphorous as these could cause them to draw calcium from their bones, potentially leading to Metabolic Bone Disease.
Fruits that feature a favorable Ca:P ratio such as pears, peaches and bananas make excellent treats for crested gecko reptiles. You can use a food processor to mash these up into a consistency your crested can easily pick up with its tongue (no biting required!). That way you know he will eat everything and won’t leave any behind!
Bananas
Crested geckos require a diet rich in insects, vegetables and fruit for proper nourishment. Some fruits like bananas can add important vitamins and minerals; these treats should only be fed occasionally! It’s also important to remember that your crested gecko’s primary diet should consist of insects and veggies.
Bananas contain an ideal balance between calcium and phosphorous as well as low levels of oxalic acid, but their high sugar content could potentially cause obesity in reptiles if overfed.
Ideal, crested gecko owners should feed their crested gecko bananas only periodically and in small portions, and when mashed to create a soft pulp. Mix it up with other fruits like figs, apricots or papaya as needed!
Strawberries
Crested geckos consume a wide range of fruits and vegetables in their natural habitat in New Caledonia; however, strawberries aren’t native there and should only be given as treats, since they don’t provide sufficient calcium and contain high levels of phosphorous.
These fruits contain oxalates that interfere with our bodies’ ability to absorb calcium, potentially leading to kidney stones in humans. Because of this, they should only be fed as treats or mixed with another fruit that has more calcium content.
As a food source for crested geckoes, peaches are an ideal choice, as they provide more calcium than phosphorous. Mangoes may also be an option, though only on occasion as their medium amount of oxalates and low calcium-to-phosphorous ratio make for potentially hazardous eating habits.
