Leopard geckos are insectivores, meaning they primarily feed on small insects and other invertebrates. This diet provides them with all of their essential nutrients.
Make sure your gecko gets the most out of their insect-based diet by providing them with a variety of feeders. Examples include crickets, Dubia roaches, mealworms and Phoenix worms.
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Crickets
Crickets are an essential part of leopard geckos’ diet as they provide essential protein, fat and fiber. Not only that, but crickets also tend to be easy to obtain at relatively low costs with little risk. Crickets make for a safe, reliable food source for these lizards.
Unfortunately, crickets can cause digestive issues for your pet reptile if not fed correctly. They should be gut-loaded (fed a nutritious diet) and dusted with calcium powder before being given to your gecko.
Crickets contain high amounts of phosphorus, which can bind with calcium needed by your lizard and prevent its absorption. This could lead to metabolic bone disorder – a serious health concern for pet reptiles.
Crickets can be a popular food choice for leopard geckos, but you should only feed them twice or thrice per week. Make sure the crickets selected are smaller than the space between your gecko’s eyes and watch carefully to prevent choke-ins.
Mealworms
Mealworms are a popular choice for Leopard Gecko diets due to their ease of upkeep and availability. Not only do they not smell much, but they don’t need feeding regularly either; plus, they can be stored for weeks in your refrigerator.
Mealworms are also an excellent source of calcium for your gecko’s diet. Additionally, they provide fat and protein which are essential nutrients for proper development.
Crickets are a favorite feeder insect for Leopard Geckos due to their ease of care, quiet nature, and lack of noise compared to mealworms.
Hatchling and juvenile Leopard Geckos feed on pinhead crickets shortly after birth. It is recommended that they receive at least one to two pinhead crickets daily.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are a commonly-used feeder insect for leopard geckos due to their ease of breeding and nutritional benefits. Cockroaches lack scent, are low in chitin, and high in protein.
Dubia Roaches make an excellent diet choice for leopard geckos due to their affordability, wide range of sizes and long lifecycle. Not only that, but these highly nutritious creatures can be dusted with calcium powder to provide your lizard with a balanced nutritional intake.
Crickets are a widely beloved feeder insect due to their affordability and ease of care. Plus, you can add vitamin powder for extra nutrition when dusting with powdered vitamins.
Mealworms make for a great staple feeder and nutritious addition to your leo’s diet. Since they don’t jump or fly, they’re easier to capture and consume. Furthermore, mealworms contain high amounts of protein as well as being low in fat.
Other Feeder Insects
In its natural habitat, Leopard geckos feed on a variety of insects and small invertebrates. To replicate this in captivity, providing live feeder insects like crickets, Dubia roaches and mealworms is an effective way to do so.
Leopard geckos typically hunt in the early evening and feed on small insects such as spiders, beetles, caterpillars and scorpions. Unfortunately, this diet can be dangerous for them in the wild; thus it is best to provide them with safe feeder insects while in captivity.
A balanced diet of live insect feeders is the ideal option for your leopard gecko and will keep them healthy and content. Make sure the feeder insects are sourced responsibly from a reliable breeder to avoid parasites or harmful substances.