Leopard geckos are docile lizards dwelling on the ground, natively found in desert countries like Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. They have become one of the commonly kept lizards, especially for the first-time reptile keepers.
Known for their friendly nature, looks, and ease of maintenance, they are quite popular in the pet reptile world.
Leopard geckos are insectivorous, and they have a taste for delectable bugs. If you are a first-time reptile owner and are wondering what do leopard geckos eat, you are at the right place.
Here is what your pet leopard gecko’s diet chart should look like.
Feeder Insects
Leopard geckos do not eat vegetables or plants, so you must add live insects to their diet. Some of the good feeder insects are,
- Mealworms
- Crickets
- Dubia Roaches
- Hornworms
- Silkworms
- Red runner roaches
- Discoid roaches
You must offer your pet leopard geckos live insects. If you give them canned or dead insects, it will not trigger the gecko’s hunting mode, and the dead insects will be left uneaten.
When you are not sure what do leopard geckos eat, you can feed them more than one or two types of insects from the list. This way, you will know which insect your pet prefers, and it is also a way to offer different kinds of enrichments and nutrients to the pet.
Worms as Treats
You can treat your pet leopard gecko once a week with wax worms, butter worms, or super worms. As these worms are very high in fat, make sure you don’t overfeed your gecko.
Also, avoid feeding the leopard geckos pinky mice unless the gecko is underweight or recently lost its tail, and you are trying to fatten it up. But make sure that you are regulating its diet properly.
Avoid feeding the gecko bugs or insects that you caught in your garden or backyard. Unknown insects can be harmful and can make your pet sick.
Vitamins
All the feeder insects that you give the leopard gecko must be dusted with calcium powder. If you have not installed a UVB light in its enclosure, you should use a supplement containing vitamin D3.
You can also place a dish of calcium powder without D3 in the enclosure for it to lick whenever it feels like it.
Feed the younger geckos insects dusted with multivitamin powder once a week. Do the same for the adults once every other week.
Water
Make sure there is a dish of fresh water readily available in the enclosure at all times. You can use a heavy ceramic plate to avoid spillage. But it should not be too deep, as there are chances of the gecko drowning in it.
You should not use softened or distilled water. Use tap, spring, or filtered water which will contain minerals essential to the gecko’s health.
For leopard geckos, one of the most fed insects from the list is dubia roaches. As they are healthy, cheap, and easy to breed, it is famous among pet owners. Now you will have a fair idea of a leopard gecko’s diet. Maintain a feeding schedule, and set their routine correctly to help them grow strong.
