Leopard geckos are an unusual species, which requires special food requirements for proper living conditions. A recently introduced food solution allows pet owners to prepare a gel diet without breeding and dusting live insects themselves.
Leopa Gel has been specially formulated to give geckos all of the necessary vitamins, minerals and trace nutrients. Plus, it’s ready-made – no mixing necessary!
Contents
Nutritional Information
Hikari Leopa Gel comes in a resealable pouch and provides gecko’s with a nutritionally complete food source. Before opening, gently knead the pouch to prevent liquid pooling; use only clean spoons or tweezers when taking food from its spout to avoid bacteria transfer from hands to food and unwanted bites from their gecko. This prevents either hand from touching their food and reduces picking out unwanted bits!
Gel foods tailored for specific lizard species contain protein, vegetable and fruit sources. While they’re best suited to omnivorous reptiles such as Leopard Geckos and Tokay Geckos, such as Leopard Gecko or Tokay Gecko diets can also provide for more carnivorous reptiles like Red-Eyed Crocodile Skinks or Veiled Chameleons.
leopard geckos should also receive live insects and worms supplemented with vitamins, minerals, and amino acid supplements (gut loading). Waxworms and butterworms contain high amounts of fat; therefore they should only be given occasionally as treats as these could contribute to obesity in Leopard Geckos.
Ingredients
Leopard geckos are insectivores, meaning their diet should consist primarily of insects. Live feeder insects can be purchased online and at pet stores to ensure your gecko receives all the nutrition it requires. Wild insects could contain parasites or contaminants which could harm its health.
Crickets and mealworms may tempt pet parents with no upkeep required, yet these foods lack essential nutrition. Powdered insect supplements may provide more vitamins, minerals, and amino acids into a pet’s diet.
Before feeding insects to geckos, place them in a bag and dust them thoroughly with their supplement of choice, making sure that all corners are evenly coated. Dusting should take place every two to three feedings; waxworms and butterworms should be avoided due to their fattening qualities as they can lead to obesity in geckos.
Storage
Leopard geckos and other reptiles require a diverse diet, with gel food such as Leopa Gel offering an efficient alternative that offers greater nutritional balance than dried/pelleted foods.
Gel food comes in powder form that’s mixed with water to form a sticky gel (similar to jello). They’re easy to prepare, store in the refrigerator in a squeeze pouch and allow you to control exactly how much gel your pet consumes at one time.
Feeder insects must be stored carefully to extend their lives and provide optimal nutrition to Leopard Gecko species. Mealworms stored in a cold fridge become dormant over time and eventually develop pupae or darkling beetles which could injure your pet’s intestinal tract – however when stored correctly mealworms can last 6-10 weeks in their entirety.
Feeding
Leopard geckos are insectivores and cannot eat fruits or vegetables as their bodies don’t possess the capacity for this. Their digestive tract is shorter and more acidic than those belonging to herbivores, rendering their consumption impossible.
Leopard Geckos are predominantly nocturnal creatures, so their diet must coincide with this lifestyle. Provide two appropriately-sized insects per inch of body length daily for babies and juveniles while every other day for adults.
As opposed to live food, Leopa Gel contains more moisture and does not need refrigeration or thawing for storage purposes. You may touch it barehanded but excessive handling should be avoided in order to avoid transmitting bacteria.
As well as offering a varied diet, we recommend providing your leopard gecko with a hide box or hut for privacy, along with a sphagnum moss or cypress mulch cage substrate to control sheding. In addition, provide water dish for proper hydration.
