Joshua Barraza
The number of crickets your leopard gecko, or any other gecko, should eat can vary by time of year, age, species, reproductive cycle, and many other factors. When you first get your gecko it is a good idea to keep a log of what your gecko is eating. You can also use a food scale to keep track of their weight. Gathering this information is a good rule of thumb and will help immensely in monitoring your gecko’s health.
How many crickets should I put in my leopard gecko tank?
Adult leopard geckos and baby leopard geckos will eat different sized food items. For now, let’s ignore the size and focus on quantity. It’s a good practice to periodically test your gecko’s appetite with live insects or whatever food you prefer to feed. The addition of calcium powder here is OK but not necessary. See how much your gecko will eat in 5 mins. 6 mins. How long, and how many prey items, until they appear disinterested? This is the amount you should feed every other day or so.
Can a leopard gecko eat too many crickets?
No. Adult geckos and baby geckos will not overeat and harm themselves. However, you will want to remove any uneaten prey items, especially if your gecko is a picky eater. Leaving live food in the tank can cause your gecko a great deal of stress. Whether you feed wax worms, dubia roaches, meal worms, you don’t really have to worry about overfeeding your gecko. Calcium supplements also cannot really be overdone. Use them at every feeding if you wish. It will definitely help prevent metabolic bone disease. It’s also worth the trouble to find a good reptile multivitamin for optimum nutritional value. Leopard gecko owners will end up feeding an adult leopard gecko large crickets. Juvenile leopard geckos will eat small crickets or medium crickets. The goal is to keep the prey item smaller (in every dimension) than the distance between your gecko’s eyes. This will ensure that your gecko doesn’t choke.
How often should I feed my leopard gecko crickets?
We recommend you try feeding your gecko ideally every other day but at least twice a week. It is important to note that your gecko may or may not eat every time you offer him food. That is OK. Make sure your gecko’s environment has the ideal temperatures and other parameters. Offer fresh water in a water dish at all times.
Can you overfeed a leopard gecko?
No you cannot overfeed a leopard gecko but it is important that you do not leave any live prey items in his terrarium. If they were in their natural habitat they would find only enough food to fill up but not eat too much food. Same with clean water, they will drink from a shallow dish and stop when they are full. First thing to do when feeding your new gecko is to fully observe all feeding. Use a separate container to feed him in so you can easily monitor the quantity and time.
How do I know if my leopard gecko is hungry?
If your gecko is losing body weight and is active and looking for food during early morning and evening hours especially, then he is probably looking for something to eat. A small dish of meal worms or wax worms would be much appreciated on a regular feeding schedule. Yes, leopard geckos can sometimes be low maintenance but they still thrive with a varied diet served on a strict schedule. Young geckos will require more food and more frequent feeding. High fat content foods are ok but avoid making them staples. Nutritious food should be offered as the staple.
How do I know if my leopard gecko is happy?
If your leopard gecko is active, has a healthy appetite, and alert then they are probably happy! A healthy gecko will be hungry at the appropriate time and he will appreciate a nutritious diet. He will also be active on a daily basis and free of health problems because you’ve offered a variety of insects with a multivitamin mineral supplement. These things are a great way to ensure your gecko lives a long healthy life.
When feeding your gecko you want to closely observe him and the size of the crickets, or other prey item. Make sure they’re no larger than the space between his eyes. The amount of food you feed will depend on many variables but the best way to ensure healthy rapid growth is to pay attention to your gecko. Use gut loading methods if you’re able. Your pet leopard gecko will live a long and healthy life if you address their nutritional needs and offer a healthy food source on a regular schedule. The best time of a day to feed your young leopard gecko is in the early morning or evening hours. Pay attention to your little guy, small animals will tell you what they need if you pay attention to their behavior.
