Are you considering adding a leopard gecko to your family? Have you wondered what they eat and if you need to feed them crickets? If so, you’ll be surprised to learn that crickets may not be the only option for feeding these unique and fascinating reptiles.
In this article, we’ll explore the reasons why owning a leopard gecko can be a rewarding experience, as well as the nutritional necessities that they require.
We’ll also cover what to feed them, what size of crickets should be fed, how often they should be fed, and other insects and foods that leopard geckos may enjoy.
Lastly, we’ll provide some helpful tips for feeding your leopard gecko.
Let’s jump in and take a look!
Table of Contents
Short Answer
Yes, leopard geckos should be fed live crickets as their main source of food.
Crickets should make up about 80-90% of their diet, with the rest of their diet made up of other feeder insects such as mealworms, waxworms, and roaches.
Crickets should be fed to leopard geckos at least 3 times a week, or every other day.
Reasons to Own Leopard Geckos as Pets
Leopard geckos make fantastic pets for reptile lovers due to their ease of care and gentle demeanor.
They are a small species of gecko native to the Middle East and North Africa and are known for their striking spotted patterning and short, stubby tails.
They are one of the most popular pet lizards and are a great option for first-time reptile owners.
Leopard geckos are relatively easy to care for, require minimal space, and can live up to 20 years with proper care.
They are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk, so they dont require as much attention as other pet reptiles.
They are also ground-dwellers, so they dont require a large enclosure with lots of height.
Leopard geckos are generally quite docile and can be handled with patience and care.
They have also been known to form strong bonds with their owners and can recognize their caretakers.
These small lizards can make great pets for reptile lovers of all ages and experience levels.
Nutritional Necessities for Leopard Geckos
When it comes to leopard geckos, proper nutrition is key to a healthy and happy pet.
These reptiles have specific dietary needs that must be met in order to ensure they remain healthy and happy.
Crickets are a primary source of nutrition for leopard geckos, as they provide essential proteins and calcium.
As well as providing essential nutrients, crickets also provide a great source of moisture, which helps keep your leopard gecko hydrated.
Crickets should be fed to your leopard gecko on a regular basis, as they provide the essential nutrients necessary for a healthy reptile.
Its important to make sure that the crickets you feed your leopard gecko are the appropriate size.
Too large of a cricket can be a choking hazard and can cause serious health issues.
When choosing crickets, make sure to pick ones that are smaller than the length of your geckos head.
In addition to crickets, leopard geckos can also benefit from feeding small insects such as mealworms and waxworms.
These insects provide essential proteins and calcium, as well as providing a great source of moisture.
Its important to note that mealworms and waxworms should only be fed as a treat, as they can contain a lot of fat and should not be a primary source of nutrition.
Overall, its important to provide your leopard gecko with an appropriate diet that includes both crickets and other small insects.
By providing your leopard gecko with a well-rounded diet, you can be sure that your pet is getting all of the essential nutrients it needs to stay healthy and happy.
What to Feed Leopard Geckos
Leopard geckos are a popular choice of reptile pets for many owners.
They are relatively low maintenance and easy to care for.
A key component of a healthy leopard gecko diet is crickets.
Crickets provide essential nutrients such as calcium and protein, which are necessary for a healthy leopard gecko.
In addition to crickets, these lizards also eat mealworms, waxworms, and other small insects.
It is important to feed your leopard gecko an appropriately sized cricket, as they can choke on larger insects.
A general rule of thumb is to feed crickets no bigger than the distance between the geckos eyes.
Furthermore, crickets should be gut loaded (fed a nutritious diet) before feeding them to your leopard gecko.
Frequent feedings of crickets and other small insects are necessary to keep your leopard gecko healthy.
It is also important that you vary your leopard geckos diet.
This means that you should offer a variety of different insects and mealworms to your leopard gecko on a regular basis.
Not only will this ensure that your leopard gecko is getting a balanced diet, but it will also keep them interested in their food.
You should also dust your leopard geckos food with calcium supplements to ensure that they are getting the essential nutrients they need.
Finally, you should not overfeed your leopard gecko.
This can lead to obesity and other health issues.
You should feed your leopard gecko only as much as they can eat in a single feeding.
If there are any leftovers, you should remove them from the enclosure to avoid spoilage.
In conclusion, feeding a leopard gecko crickets and other small insects is essential for its health and wellbeing.
However, it is important to ensure that the crickets are appropriately sized, gut loaded, and dusted with calcium supplement.
You should also vary their diet and not overfeed them.
By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your leopard gecko stays happy and healthy.
What Size of Crickets Should Be Fed
When it comes to feeding your leopard gecko crickets, size really matters.
The size of the cricket should be no larger than the space between the geckos eyes.
That means if you have a small leopard gecko, you should opt for smaller, younger crickets.
On the other hand, if you have a larger gecko, you can feed them larger adult crickets.
Its important to provide the right sized cricket for your leopard gecko as they can choke on larger insects.
When in doubt, err on the side of caution and feed them smaller crickets.
Its also important to provide a variety of cricket sizes to your leopard gecko.
This will ensure they get the essential nutrients they need from each size of cricket.
For example, smaller crickets provide higher amounts of protein, while larger crickets provide more calcium.
By providing a variety of sizes, your leopard gecko will get the optimal nutrition they need for a healthy diet.
When it comes to feeding your leopard gecko crickets, size really is key.
Make sure to provide a variety of sizes to ensure your reptilian friend gets the essential nutrients they need from each size of cricket.
By doing this, you can ensure your leopard gecko will stay healthy and happy!
How Often Should You Feed Crickets
When it comes to feeding your leopard gecko crickets, the frequency depends on the age and size of the reptile.
For juvenile geckos, they should be fed every day or every other day.
As they get older, you can feed them every 3-5 days.
Adult leopard geckos should be fed once or twice a week.
It’s important to feed your leopard gecko the right sized cricket or insect for their size.
Smaller leopard geckos should be fed smaller crickets, such as pinhead crickets, while larger geckos can handle larger crickets, such as adult crickets.
If you feed your gecko a cricket that is too large, it can choke or cause damage to their digestive system.
It’s also important to make sure that your leopard gecko is getting enough variety in their diet.
While crickets are a staple for leopard geckos, they should also be fed other small insects like mealworms, waxworms, and even superworms.
This will provide them with the essential nutrients they need for a healthy life.
Finally, it’s important to remember that your leopard gecko should not be fed too much.
Overfeeding can lead to obesity and other health problems.
Make sure to feed them the appropriate sized crickets and other insects in the appropriate frequency.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your leopard gecko is getting the nutrition it needs to stay healthy and happy.
Other Insects and Foods That Leopard Geckos Eat
Leopard geckos are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and insects.
Along with crickets, leopard geckos can also be fed mealworms, waxworms, and other small insects.
Mealworms are a great source of protein, and waxworms are an excellent source of fat.
It’s important to feed your leopard gecko an appropriate sized cricket, as they can choke on larger insects.
However, insects should not be the only source of food for your leopard gecko.
In addition to crickets and other insects, leopard geckos also need a variety of plant-based foods to stay healthy.
Leafy greens such as kale, collard greens, and turnip greens are great sources of nutrition for leopard geckos, and they can be supplemented with fruits such as apples, strawberries, and bananas.
These fruits and vegetables should be chopped up into small pieces and placed in a shallow dish for the leopard gecko to eat.
It’s also important to provide a calcium supplement for your leopard gecko, as this is essential for their health and development.
A calcium powder or block can be placed in the dish for your leopard gecko to lick up as they eat.
Leopard geckos also need to have access to fresh water at all times.
This can be provided in a shallow dish that is easily accessible to the gecko.
It’s important to keep the water dish clean and to change the water regularly to prevent the spread of bacteria.
Overall, feeding your leopard gecko a diet of both crickets and other insects, as well as a variety of plant-based foods, is essential for their health and wellbeing.
It’s important to provide the right sized insects, as well as a calcium supplement, to ensure your leopard gecko is getting the nutrition they need.
Additionally, you should provide fresh water and keep the dish clean to prevent the spread of bacteria.
With the right diet and care, your leopard gecko can stay healthy and happy.
Tips for Feeding Leopard Geckos
When it comes to caring for leopard geckos, one of the most important aspects is feeding them correctly.
Crickets are the primary food source for leopard geckos, providing essential nutrients like calcium and protein that are necessary for a healthy reptile.
In addition to crickets, leopard geckos may also feed on mealworms, waxworms, and other small insects.
When feeding your leopard gecko, it’s important to choose an appropriate sized cricket for them.
Too large of an insect can cause choking, so choose ones that are about the same size as the space between their eyes.
It’s also important to feed your leopard gecko frequently, making sure to provide enough food for them to get the nutrients they need.
In addition to providing the right sized insects, you should also make sure to provide them with a varied diet.
A combination of crickets, mealworms, and waxworms can give your leopard gecko a more balanced meal, helping to ensure they get the vitamins and minerals they need.
It’s also important to remember that leopard geckos are nocturnal, so they should be fed in the evening when they are most active.
Finally, it’s important to make sure your leopard gecko’s diet is supplemented with calcium and other vitamins.
You can do this by offering them calcium-dusted crickets or adding a calcium supplement to their food.
This will help to ensure that your leopard gecko gets all the nutrients they need in order to stay healthy.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, leopard geckos make great pets and are relatively easy to care for.
They require a varied diet, with crickets being an important part of it.
Make sure to feed crickets that are an appropriate size as they can choke on larger ones.
In addition to crickets, they also enjoy mealworms, waxworms, and other small insects.
With the right diet and care, you can ensure the health and happiness of your leopard gecko.
Now that you know the answer to the question ‘do you need to feed a leopard gecko crickets?’ the next step is to get out there and start caring for your new pet!