Crested geckos need a diet rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals as well as feeder insects and fruit for proper nourishment and waste disposal. Unused food must also be regularly removed.
Mealworms should only be given to crested geckos as occasional treats; their high fat content could lead to obesity or impaction issues.
Contents
They are rich in protein
Crested geckos consume a wide range of foods and should be provided with an appropriate diet to promote growth and prevent health problems. Supplementing their meals may provide them with enough protein. When fed correctly, this will allow them to stay strong and healthy as they reach adulthood.
As dried mealworms contain harmful bacteria, it’s best to refrain from feeding them to your gecko. When feeding them to them make sure that they are fresh and not expired – keeping any unused containers around could attract bugs that make your pet sick!
Mealworms should only be fed to crested geckoes in moderation as they contain both protein and fat, with an inadequate calcium to phosphorus ratio. They may be hard for your crested gecko to digest, causing impaction or constipation issues.
They are rich in fat
Mealworms provide crested geckos with an excellent source of protein, but should only be fed sparingly as they contain large quantities of chitin which can be difficult for their digestive systems to process and are high in fat content which may contribute to weight issues in your pet.
Mealworms pose another potential hazard for feeding to lizards: parasite infestation can reduce their appetite and cause organ problems; for this reason it’s advisable to seek assistance from your vet in removing the parasites.
If you plan on feeding your crested gecko mealworms, be sure to add calcium and other essential nutrients before giving them. This will aid their digestion. Alternatively, dried mealworms might be better as raising live ones may require too much work; just pick some up at your pet store.
They are difficult to digest
Crested geckos are omnivorous animals in their natural habitat and may vary between frugivory (feeding on fruit) and opportunistic feedings (eating whatever is available to them). A varied diet helps them remain healthy.
Mealworms can make an excellent supplement to a crested gecko’s diet, but should not comprise its primary source of nutrition. Mealworms are difficult to digest and feeding them daily may lead to digestive and impaction issues; additionally, their hard chitin exoskeleton may get stuck in your pet’s digestive tract and become life-threatening.
Dubia roaches offer an easy solution that are simple to care for and digest by reptiles, plus they provide additional nutrition with their high protein content and gut-loading option.
They are a source of parasites
Mealworms can provide crested geckos with essential protein-rich food sources to supplement their diet. Furthermore, mealworms contain high concentrations of potassium and phosphorus – two key vitamins for crested geckos. Unfortunately, mealworms are sometimes known to harbor parasites as well as pesticide residues; for the healthiest results you should only feed fresh mealworms that have not been exposed to chemicals or contaminants.
Mealworms should only be offered as treats and not part of a balanced diet for your crested gecko. Mealworms are difficult to digest and may lead to digestive issues like constipation and impaction. Furthermore, they contain high amounts of fat with an inferior calcium-to-phosphorus ratio and should only be fed when their distance between eyes allows it.
They are expensive
Mealworms are a popular food choice for crested geckos, but can be costly to purchase and consume. Plus, their tough exoskeleton may prove difficult for your pet to digest – leading to digestive issues or even death! You can reduce this risk by giving your gecko another type of feeder insect such as black soldier fly larvae or waxworms as snacks.
Cresties are generally opportunistic feeders in nature; therefore, you will likely only have limited control over their diet when raising them as pets. But, you have greater options when breeding or raising cresties for breeding purposes.
Mealworms can be purchased both online and at fishing bait stores. Mealworms come in large packs that you can feed directly to your crested gecko, though this method requires quite a lot of handling so may not always be suitable.
