What Do Leopard Geckos Eat: A Comprehensive Guide

Leopard geckos are fascinating creatures that make great pets. These small lizards are native to the deserts of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India, and have become a popular choice for reptile enthusiasts. One of the most important aspects of caring for a leopard gecko is providing them with a proper diet.

A leopard gecko is eating live crickets in its terrarium

A leopard gecko’s diet consists mainly of live insects, although they can also eat certain fruits and vegetables. In the wild, they feed on a variety of insects, including crickets, mealworms, and waxworms. In captivity, it’s important to provide them with a varied diet that includes a mix of these insects.

Key Takeaways

  • Leopard geckos are native to the deserts of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India.
  • Their diet consists mainly of live insects, although they can also eat certain fruits and vegetables.
  • In captivity, it’s important to provide them with a varied diet that includes a mix of insects.

Dietary Basics

Leopard geckos are insectivores, which means they mainly eat insects. However, they also require a balanced diet to stay healthy. Providing a varied diet is essential to ensure that they get all the necessary nutrients.

Nutritional Needs

Leopard geckos require a diet that is high in protein and low in fat. They also need a good source of calcium to maintain healthy bones. Feeder insects such as crickets, mealworms, and waxworms are a good source of protein. However, they are low in calcium. Therefore, it is important to dust the insects with calcium powder before feeding them to the gecko.

In addition to insects, leopard geckos can also eat small amounts of fruit. However, fruit should not make up a significant part of their diet. Feeding fruit in moderation can provide additional nutrients and variety to their diet.

Feeding Frequency

Leopard geckos should be fed every two to three days. Younger geckos should be fed more frequently than adults. They should be fed as much as they can eat in about 15 minutes. Overfeeding can lead to obesity, which can cause health problems.

It is also important to provide fresh water daily. Leopard geckos get most of their water from their food. However, they still need access to fresh water to stay hydrated.

In summary, a balanced diet is essential for the health of leopard geckos. Feeder insects should make up the majority of their diet, supplemented with calcium powder. Fruit can be fed in moderation. Leopard geckos should be fed every two to three days, and fresh water should be provided daily.

Live Prey

Leopard geckos are insectivores, which means they primarily eat insects and other invertebrates. Live prey is an essential part of a leopard gecko’s diet, as it provides the necessary nutrients and exercise for their overall health and well-being.

Crickets

Crickets are the most popular and readily available food source for leopard geckos. They are high in protein and low in fat, making them a nutritious choice. However, it is essential to gut-load crickets before feeding them to your leopard gecko. Gut-loading is the process of feeding crickets with nutrient-rich food, such as fruits and vegetables, to ensure that they are packed with essential vitamins and minerals.

Mealworms

Mealworms are another common food source for leopard geckos. They are high in protein and easy to digest, making them a popular choice. However, mealworms are also high in fat, so they should be fed in moderation. It is also essential to dust mealworms with calcium and vitamin D3 supplements before feeding them to your leopard gecko.

Dubia Roaches

Dubia roaches are becoming increasingly popular as a food source for leopard geckos. They are high in protein and low in fat, making them a nutritious choice. Dubia roaches are also easy to digest and do not make noise or smell, making them a more pleasant option for some owners. However, they can be more expensive and harder to find than crickets and mealworms.

In conclusion, live prey is an essential part of a leopard gecko’s diet. Crickets, mealworms, and Dubia roaches are all popular and nutritious food sources. It is essential to gut-load and supplement the live prey before feeding them to your leopard gecko to ensure that they receive all the necessary nutrients for their overall health and well-being.

Supplements

A leopard gecko is consuming live mealworms and crickets in its terrarium

Leopard geckos require supplements to ensure they receive all the necessary nutrients for their health. The two main supplements leopard geckos require are calcium and vitamins.

Calcium

Calcium is one of the most important supplements for leopard geckos. It helps them with bone development and is not available in sufficient quantities in their diets. Captive leopard geckos tend to grow faster than those in the wild and need more calcium. Calcium supplements for leopard geckos come in powder form and should be dusted onto their food before feeding. GeckoAdvice suggests that leopard geckos should be given calcium supplements without vitamin D3 at every meal.

Vitamins

Leopard geckos require vitamins to maintain their health. The two main vitamins they require are vitamin D3 and multivitamins. Vitamin D3 helps with the absorption of calcium and is essential for bone health. Multivitamins provide a range of essential vitamins and minerals that leopard geckos require. It is important to note that too much of either vitamin can be harmful to leopard geckos. According to Lizards101, it is best practice to supplement leopard gecko’s food with only calcium, then calcium + vitamin D3 and multivitamins on different days to avoid vitamin or mineral buildup or over-supplementation.

Leopard geckos require a balanced diet of live insects and supplements to maintain their health. Providing the correct supplements is essential to ensure they receive all the necessary nutrients for their well-being.

Fruits and Vegetables

Leopard geckos eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, such as small pieces of mango, papaya, and carrots, arranged on a clean, flat surface

While leopard geckos are primarily insectivorous, they can consume a small amount of fruits and vegetables as a supplement to their diet. It is important to note that fruits and vegetables should not replace their primary diet of insects, but instead should be given as a treat in moderation.

Safe Fruits

Leopard geckos can eat a variety of fruits, but it is important to avoid feeding them fruits that are high in sugar or acidic. Some safe fruits for leopard geckos include:

  • Apples (without the seeds)
  • Bananas
  • Blueberries
  • Mangoes
  • Papayas
  • Pears
  • Strawberries

It is important to remove any seeds or pits from the fruit before feeding it to the leopard gecko, as these can be harmful to their digestive system.

Safe Vegetables

Similar to fruits, leopard geckos can consume a variety of vegetables, but it is important to avoid feeding them vegetables that are high in oxalates or nitrates. Some safe vegetables for leopard geckos include:

  • Carrots
  • Collard greens
  • Green beans
  • Kale
  • Peas
  • Squash
  • Sweet potatoes

It is important to note that vegetables should be finely chopped or pureed before feeding them to the leopard gecko, as they have small mouths and may struggle to eat larger pieces. Additionally, it is recommended to dust the fruits and vegetables with a calcium supplement before feeding them to the leopard gecko to ensure they are receiving proper nutrition.

Overall, while fruits and vegetables can be a healthy supplement to a leopard gecko’s diet, it is important to prioritize their primary diet of insects and to feed fruits and vegetables in moderation.

Hydration

A leopard gecko is eating a mealworm while perched on a rock under a heat lamp

Leopard geckos get most of their hydration from the food they eat, which is part of the reason why live insect feeders are best instead of pellets or processed feeds. Geckos will not usually drink much from a water dish, but providing one in their enclosure is still quite beneficial to increase their hydration and prevent shedding issues.

Water Requirements

Leopard geckos require fresh, clean water at all times. The water dish should be shallow enough for the gecko to easily climb in and out of it. The dish should be cleaned and refilled with fresh water every day to prevent bacterial growth. The water dish should be placed in a cool area of the enclosure, away from the heat source, to prevent evaporation.

Watering Techniques

In addition to providing a water dish, leopard geckos can also be misted with water to help keep them hydrated. Misting should be done once or twice a day, depending on the humidity level in the enclosure. Misting can also help with shedding issues by keeping the skin moist.

Another way to provide hydration is to offer geckos water-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables. However, this should be done sparingly as leopard geckos are primarily insectivores and too much fruit and vegetables can cause digestive issues.

Overall, providing fresh water and misting as needed is the best way to ensure that leopard geckos stay hydrated and healthy.

Foods to Avoid

Leopard geckos avoid certain foods. Show a gecko turning away from lettuce and citrus fruits

Leopard geckos are primarily insectivorous, and their diet mainly consists of live insects such as crickets, mealworms, and waxworms. However, there are certain foods that should be avoided when feeding leopard geckos.

Vegetables and Fruits

Leopard geckos are not herbivores, and they do not require fruits and vegetables in their diet. In fact, feeding them fruits and vegetables can cause digestive issues and even lead to health problems. Therefore, it is best to avoid feeding them any kind of fruits or vegetables.

Foods with High Fat Content

Leopard geckos are prone to obesity, and feeding them foods with high fat content can lead to weight gain and other health problems. Foods such as pinkie mice, butterworms, and silk moths should be avoided or fed in moderation.

Insects with Hard Shells

Insects with hard shells such as beetles and cockroaches should be avoided when feeding leopard geckos. These insects are difficult to digest and can cause impaction, which is a serious health issue that can be fatal if not treated promptly.

Wild-Caught Insects

Leopard geckos should not be fed wild-caught insects as they may have been exposed to pesticides and other harmful chemicals. It is best to feed them captive-bred insects that have been raised specifically for reptile food.

By avoiding these foods, leopard gecko owners can ensure that their pets remain healthy and happy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What insects are safe for leopard geckos to consume?

Leopard geckos are primarily insectivores, and they can consume a variety of insects. Some of the safe insects to feed leopard geckos include crickets, mealworms, waxworms, and cockroaches. It is important to ensure that the insects are gut-loaded, which means that they are fed nutritious food before being fed to the leopard geckos. This ensures that the leopard geckos receive adequate nutrition from their diet.

How frequently should leopard geckos be fed?

The frequency of feeding leopard geckos depends on their age. Adult leopard geckos can be fed every other day, while baby leopard geckos require daily feeding. It is important to ensure that the leopard geckos are not overfed, as this can lead to obesity and other health issues.

Are there any vegetables suitable for leopard geckos?

Leopard geckos are primarily insectivores, and they do not require vegetables in their diet. In fact, vegetables can be harmful to leopard geckos because they are unable to digest plant matter. Therefore, it is important to stick to a diet of insects for leopard geckos.

What is the diet of baby leopard geckos?

Baby leopard geckos require a diet of small insects, such as small crickets and mealworms. They should be fed daily, and the insects should be appropriately sized for their small mouths. As the leopard geckos grow, their diet can be adjusted accordingly.

Can leopard geckos have any human foods?

Leopard geckos should not be fed human foods, as they are unable to digest many of the foods that humans consume. Additionally, many human foods can be harmful to leopard geckos, such as those that are high in fat, salt, or sugar.

Is fruit a part of a leopard gecko’s diet?

Leopard geckos are primarily insectivores, and they do not require fruit in their diet. In fact, fruit can be harmful to leopard geckos because it is high in sugar. Therefore, it is important to stick to a diet of insects for leopard geckos.