Maintaining the health of your leopard gecko requires providing them with a nutritious diet. A varied diet will not only ensure they get all of their essential vitamins and minerals, but it will also prevent them from becoming overweight.
Your leopard gecko’s feeding schedule will depend on its age and size. Hatchlings and juveniles require daily or twice-daily nutrition to support their growing bodies, while sub-adults and adults can be fed more sparingly.
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Feeder Insects
Leopard gecko’s diet must include a variety of feeder insects to keep them healthy and stimulated.
Leopard geckos enjoy a variety of feeder insects, such as crickets, Dubia roaches, mealworms and black soldier fly larvae (BSFL). Some owners even feed hornworms occasionally as an occasional treat or supplement.
Adult leopard geckos can eat a wide range of normal-sized feeder insects as long as they are one year or older. Hatchlings and juveniles should be fed two or three times a week, depending on their age group.
Before feeding feeder insects to your pet, it is essential that they receive enough Vitamin A, D3, and Calcium. Many owners will dust their insects with multivitamin and calcium powders in order to guarantee that their geckos get all of the nutrition they require.
Mealworms
Mealworms are a widely popular food option for leopard geckos due to their affordability, accessibility and ease of feeding. Furthermore, these insects contain low levels of fat and high levels of protein.
Cichlids make excellent aquarium inhabitants. However, their only drawback is that they may become quite overweight; so it’s best to feed them only occasionally as a special treat.
For an alternative feeding option, feed your leopard gecko crickets instead of mealworms. They are more active than their smaller counterparts and will stimulate their natural hunting instinct.
It is essential to remember that leopard geckos are opportunistic carnivores, meaning they will eat virtually anything. Therefore, having a variety of foods available for your pet at all times is beneficial.
Shed Skin
Leopard geckos are predators that feed on insects and small invertebrates. Feeder crickets and Dubia roaches are two staple foods for these geckos, though they will also consume mealworms and wax worms.
Shed skin is an essential food source for reptiles, often eaten by lizards after they shed their skins. Not only does it contain protein and essential vitamins essential to growth, but lizards cannot get these essential nutrients from other food sources.
Shedding skin is an entirely natural process for many animals, but if it occurs too frequently or in an unhealthy way, medical attention may be necessary. For lizards especially, the process can be painful and cause the tips of their toes to dry out and fall off.
Supplements
Supplements are an integral part of your leopard gecko’s diet, as they provide them with essential vitamins and minerals for healthy development.
Calcium is an essential mineral your leopard gecko needs on a daily basis. Not only does it aid with various metabolic processes, but it’s also essential for bone density.
Many people prefer to dust their feeder insects with calcium powder before giving them to their geckos. This simple step ensures your gecko gets the correct amount of calcium.
Maintaining a small bowl of calcium in your gecko’s enclosure for them to lick from is recommended. Doing this can be extremely beneficial for their overall wellbeing, as they get the proper amount of calcium from this source.
