Leopard gecko how much to feed

So, you may only find this beneficial if your pet is still a juvenile. This is especially helpful in the instance of feeding grubs and some roaches, as they are unable to escape from these bowls. If your leopard gecko seems hesitant to eat from a bowl, you can try fasting him or her for a few days and using a clear container with extra-wriggly insects to stimulate its hunting and feeding response. Exceptionally spoiled leopard geckos can be fed from a pair of soft-tipped feeding tongs or even your fingers!

This may help you and your leopard gecko form a bond. Regularly feed your leopard gecko any combination the more varied, the better! Treat insects have a high amount of fat. Indulge your leopard gecko with any of the following on occasion:. Insects like this, such as lightening bugs, contain a chemical that is highly toxic and can be lethal if ingested by your gecko. No captive diet can replicate the nutritional value of the variety of invertebrate, vertebrate, and possibly even occasional plant species that a leopard gecko would ingest in the wild.

You see, commercial vitamin supplements help to bridge this dietary gap. Simply put the feeder insects in a plastic bag with the supplement powder, give it a little shake, and then offer the coated feeder insects to your pet gecko. Reptiles need an equal amount of calcium to process phosphorus. Most insects have higher phosphorus than calcium, which is why we coat them in calcium powder.

When it comes to fat and protein content, opt for higher protein and lower fat for overweight or healthy adult leopard geckos. Younger animals and animals that are used for breeding may benefit from insects with higher fat content. Above you can see how these 9 feeders stack up against one another in terms of protein, fat, Ca:P ratio, and how to properly gut-load them if applicable.

Additionally, knowing the calcium and fat content can also be helpful because it will allow you to feed a sick or underweight leopard gecko. Keep in a secure, ventilated container with a lid and cardboard egg crates at room temperature for eight to ten weeks. Keep in an open-top container without the lid, in wheat bran or oat bedding, in the fridge for up to two weeks. Keep in an open-top container without the lid, in wheat bran or oat bedding, at room temperature for up to a year. Keep in a smooth-sided container with cardboard egg crates at room temperature for up to three months.

Keep them in the original container at room temperature or the door of your fridge for up to one month. Leopard geckos will eat as often as they can. Their high activity levels, and a lack of prey, means that wild species rarely become fat or obese. In fact, they are usually underweight. Wild individuals typically weigh around 27 grams, while larger pets can reach 90 grams.

Pet leopard geckos are prone to gaining weight because of their reduced activity levels and high-quality food. To prevent obesity, it is important to feed your gecko on a schedule and monitor any weight gain. Hatchlings and juveniles should grow faster and eat more frequently than adults.

Species over two years old should no longer gain weight and so should eat less often, though their prey size can be larger. Crickets, cockroaches, mealworms, waxworms and hornworms are all healthy and safe foods for a leopard gecko to eat.

However, not all of these foods are equal in terms of nutrition. The most common leopard gecko Food is house crickets, as they are sold in bulk at pet stores. However, these insects tend to smell and can be noisy. Mealworms and Dubia roaches are a much better choice. Waxworms are also commonly fed, but are high in fat and low in protein. In their natural habitat , these lizards prey on many different types of animals.

You should try to mimic this natural variation in their diet. You will also need to pay attention to the nutrient content of the different insects you are feeding. Babies are greedy eaters and have a very high metabolism. Because of their rapid growth and development they need to eat more often than adults, preferably once per day.

Baby geckos are usually more skittish than adults and are less likely to take food from your hand or tongs. It is best to feed them using a small dish. Using a small dish also allows the prey to move around and attract their attention.

Generally, baby leopard geckos should be given as many small crickets or roaches as they can eat in 10 minutes. After 10 minutes any uneaten food should be removed. It is safe and healthy for young geckos to eat every day and it helps fuel their rapid growth. Provided you are giving them small food items there is little to no danger of overfeeding. If your baby still seems hungry after eating seven crickets, then offer a few more. In general, you should feed to their appetite.

Like adults, baby geckos may lose their appetite when shedding. However, this should only be temporary. A baby not eating for four days or more is cause for concern. Once they reach four inches usually around six months you can introduce mealworms and larger crickets or roaches. Species under four inches long should not be fed mealworms because of the difficulty in digesting chitin. After ten months you can start to gradually transition to medium-sized foods.

At 12 months geckos are fully grown and can be fed on an adult feeding schedule. Adults do not need to eat as much as babies and juveniles do. These lizards store fat in their tails, so they always have a supply of extra energy if they need it. Fully grown leopard geckos individuals older than 10 months should be fed every two to three days.

Leopard geckos are not active during the day. The best time to feed them is in the evening, just after turning off the lights. This is when they will be active and most interested in food. Many leopard geckos take to being hand fed quite well, it is also an enjoyable experience for both the lizard and you. He reacts to being touched. He reacts to movements inside and outside of the tank, especially when hungry.

He approaches the front glass when he is hungry and he sees you. Adult Leopard Geckos can go without eating for 10 to 14 days, although some have been known to refuse food for a few months safely.

Baby and young Leopard Geckos can only go a week or so without eating. Signs of Health A healthy gecko will be bright and alert with clear open eyes and nostrils and a clean vent. Skin should be undamaged with no sign of parasites, and shedding should occur regularly. Your gecko should also be keen to eat, and pass faeces at least every days. All feeder insects should be gutloaded for at least 24 hours before feeding.

Ideally, they should come pre-gutloaded from the breeder. Adding some bee pollen granules I like the Stakich brand to the gutload is a natural source of extra vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients. All insect feeders should be dusted with calcium powder.

As long as you are dusting your feeders appropriately, however, this should not be necessary and may even contribute to calcium overdose. Leopard geckos also need an occasional multivitamin. Dust insects with a multivitamin powder once a week for young geckos and once every other week for adult geckos.