Leopard geckos are insectivores, meaning they feed on insects from pet stores or those specifically designed to feed reptiles such as feeder insects. For optimal results, breeders specialized in providing feeder insects designed to feed reptiles must buy and breed these feeder insects themselves.
Food is mixed in water and administered via syringe to your gecko, so they will learn to lick any leftover food deposited on their face or off of its tip.
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Gut Loading Insects
Gut loading involves providing insectivorous animals with food or substances designed to benefit their digestive systems, such as fresh fruits and vegetables rich in essential vitamins and minerals, calcium-rich greens or commercial gut load products.
These foods are then fed to insects, which absorb their nutrition into their systems before being eaten by pet reptiles as food for themselves as well as source of nourishment for themselves.
Recently, researchers conducted a study that demonstrated how leopard geckos can use gut loaded BSF larvae as a source of nutrients. Researchers observed that these gut loaded BSF larvae provided good amounts of proximate nutrients like vitamin A while also being highly digestible – although further research needs to be completed in order to address calcium deficiency among leopard geckos and find better means of providing this essential mineral source.
Dusting Insects
Leopard geckos in their natural environments rely on calcium-rich mineral deposits and salts for nourishment, so in captivity it is recommended that they receive dietary supplements.
Reptile hobbyists usually offer crickets, meal worms and Dubia Roaches to their leopard geckos as staple foods, with occasional treats of wax worms Phoenix worms or Black Soldier Fly Larvae provided as occasional treats. All three insects provide protein, vitamins and calcium; however their high fat content could lead to obesity if fed continuously as food sources.
Keepers can combat this issue by dusting their feeder insects with powdered vitamin and mineral supplements prior to feeding – either every other day, or each time the animal needs feedings. It is important that any leftover dust in their dust container doesn’t accumulate, as that would invite bacteria and pathogens. Once made up, keepers can deliver it using a syringe.
Assist Feeding
Leopard geckos inhabit deserts and mountainous grasslands with limited sources of nourishment, making it hard for them to find what they require for survival. When these animals become sick or stressed and lose appetite, it’s crucial that we provide assistance as soon as possible to support their wellbeing and ensure their continued existence.
To feed your Leopard Gecko more efficiently, begin by mixing mealworms or crickets with some Pedialyte in order to rehydrate them and using a syringe to provide your Leo with food.
Be careful when feeding your Leopard Gecko too much food at once as this could lead to choking or impaction, and only force-feed your reptile when absolutely necessary.
One way of helping your Leopard Gecko feed more easily is to supplement insects they eat with nutritional supplements that can easily be dusted over or poured directly into their cage. You can find powdered or liquid forms of such supplements, which make dosing insects with them much simpler.
Force Feeding
Leopard geckos that become sick can lose their appetite and be unable to feed themselves, leading to rapid weight loss and decline in health and vitality. Force feeding may help restore nutrition and restart eating for maximum weight recovery.
Leopard geckos in captivity need extra calcium supplements in order to avoid metabolic bone disease – an illness which deforms their bones and may prove fatal.
Mix their regular feeder insect diets with water or Pedialyte until it resembles a smoothie-like consistency, then use a syringe to inject this food mixture just above their gum line into their skin or mouth using an injection needle. If they start licking at their face or the tip of the syringe after being fed this slurry, this means they have accepted it as their meal!
