
Gut-loading diet:
- apples
- citrus fruits like oranges
- dark green vegetables like kale, romaine lettuce, green-leafed lettuce, mustard, and collard greens
- carrots
- grains like oat, barley or wheat bran
What is the best baby food to feed a gecko?
What Do Baby Geckos Eat?
- Insect foods for baby geckos. Whether or not they supplement their diets with plant products, most baby geckos eagerly consume insects and other small arthropods.
- Plant-based foods for baby geckos. ...
- Baby food and commercial products. ...
- Safe food practices. ...
- Gut loading insects. ...
Do geckos have to eat live crickets?
Geckos are typically insectivorous, so most species primarily eat insects like superworms, crickets, and roaches. Some will even eat certain arachnids! Additionally, many omnivorous and herbivorous species of geckos enjoy fruit, so you’ll often see them described as frugivorous. Day geckos are a great example of a fruit-eating gecko species.
What is the best thing to feed crickets?
What Do Crickets Eat?
- Organic plant matter. Crickets are naturally omnivores. ...
- Fruits and veggies. Crickets are happy to munch on fruits and veggies. ...
- Seeds and grains. These insects are also happy to consume several seed and grain types. ...
- Insects. Crickets often become omnivores when held in captivity. ...
- Dog food. ...
- Water. ...
- Cricket Diet Variations. ...
What vegetable and fruit can you feed your gecko?
What Geckos eat fruits and vegetables? Papaya, figs and raspberries have excellent calcium-to-phosphorus ratios, so they are preferred by most geckos. Although geckos may enjoy banana, peach, nectarine or cantaloupe, and although these foods are nontoxic, they have very poor calcium-to-phosphorus ratios.
What kind of cricket is used for gecko?
How many crickets do crested geckos eat a week?
How to keep crickets from jumping out of a container?
What is gut loading for geckos?
What do crickets eat?
What is the color of a cricket?
What is the difference between a banded cricket and a house cricket?
See 2 more topics

What can I feed crickets to keep them alive?
Fruits, such as apples, oranges, and bananas. Vegetables, including carrots, potatoes, squash, and leafy greens. Grains, such as alfalfa, wheat germ, and rice cereal. Other packaged pet foods, including fish flakes, dry cat food, dry dog food, and reptile food.
How do I feed my geckos live crickets?
0:562:31Leopard gecko cricket feeding FAQ - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo lots of pet stores there's usually two or three sizes of crickets a general rule of thumb is toMoreSo lots of pet stores there's usually two or three sizes of crickets a general rule of thumb is to feed crickets no bigger than the space between the eyes of your gecko.
What do gecko crickets eat?
Leopard geckos (also known as Leos) go crazy for a succulent mixture of worms and “gut-loaded” crickets — that is, live crickets that have been fed the vitamins geckos need. Adult Leos only need to eat four to five times a week, which makes them a relatively low-maintenance lizard.
Can I feed my gecko crickets everyday?
Baby Leopard Geckos should be fed 5-7 small crickets or mealworms every day until they reach about 4 inches. Larger food should be offered every other day until they become full grown in about 10-12 months. Adults can be fed 6-7 large crickets or mealworms 2 to 3 times a week.
Will geckos eat dead crickets?
Leopard geckos are insectivores, meaning they only eat insects, and that too, live ones. So, if you try feeding your pet a dead roach or a dead and silent cricket, they won't eat it. Their diet is really important, and you need to be careful about their eating habits to maintain their health.
Is it OK to leave crickets in with my leopard gecko?
While crickets cannot seriously harm your leopard gecko, they can spread pathogens or start biting your lizard, which can cause an injury and potentially an infection. Be sure to monitor your leopard gecko's eating habits and feed it as many crickets as it can eat and remove the leftovers after that.
What human food can geckos eat?
So, why NOT share something with your leo? The fact of the matter is that leopard geckos cannot eat any human foods. They are insectivores, meaning they eat nothing but insects and drink nothing but water....The best insects and worms to feed your leopard gecko include:Mealworms.Crickets.Dubia roaches.Hoppers.
How long can a gecko go without eating?
ten days to two weeksMany adult leopard geckos can go without food for ten days to two weeks because of the fat storage in their tails. It is completely normal for leopard geckos to go without eating for long periods. Unlike mammals, reptiles do not require food every day to survive, particularly during the winter.
Why won't my gecko eat crickets?
Your leopard gecko may refuse to eat crickets if there are cage issues, health issues, or cricket issues (too large or inactive). Your leopard gecko might also be addicted to other feeder insects. It is essential to analyze each of these factors, as they can occur concurrently or independently.
What veggies can geckos eat?
Leopard Geckos are insectivores and cannot eat fruit or vegetables. A Leopard Gecko's body can only digest meat, such as insects. The reason they can't eat fruit or vegetables is because their bodies aren't designed to manage or digest fruit and vegetables.
Can geckos eat lettuce?
Leopard geckos are insectivores, which means that they need to eat insects to get the nutrition that they need, not greens and other vegetables. Your leopard gecko most likely won't eat lettuce or other vegetables as they don't like the taste and they can't digest them efficiently.
How do I know if my leopard gecko is hungry?
If your leopard gecko explores his tank, goes back and forth between the warm and cool spot, and approaches the glass whenever he is hungry or sees you, he is likely really happy. If he looks bright and alert, that is even a better sign. In contrast, an unhappy leopard gecko will be really lethargic and sluggish.
What to feed crickets?
When feeding your crickets, you can select from a variety of nutritious foods, including: If you are feeding your crickets pure fruits, vegetables, and grains, and no supplemental pet food, provide them with a nutritional supplement of some kind to make up for any gaps in the diet.
What do crickets eat?
Cricket Diet. Crickets are omnivores. This means that a natural cricket diet consists of plants and meat and includes protein, grains, and produce. In the wild, crickets will consume a wide-ranging diet including insect larvae, aphids, flowers, seeds, leaves, fruit, and grasses.
How to keep crickets healthy?
When humidity levels are too high, your crickets may not survive. It is recommended to store your crickets in a deep container or terrarium with a lid and proper air ventilation. The ideal temperature for crickets is between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
What is the scientific name for crickets?
In this Article. Cricket Diet. Common Concerns Feeding Crickets. Crickets, also known by their scientific name of Acheta domesticus, are insects known for their ability to jump high and for their trilling, chirping sounds. Some people keep crickets as pets.
What temperature should crickets be?
The ideal temperature for crickets is between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. To keep your habitat as hygienic as possible for your crickets, dedicate one side of the habitat to food and water. Check frequently to make sure that the food is still fresh and free of mold.
Can crickets be fed to a snake?
If you are keeping crickets as food for another pet such as a gecko, snake, or bearded dragon, keep in mind that whatever you feed your crickets will also be providing nourishment to your pet. The process of feeding prey crickets nutritious food is known as "gut loading.".
Do crickets drink water?
This will provide the crickets with a safe way to access their drinking water while keeping a firm footing on the pebbles. Some cricket owners will submerge cotton balls in water and place those in the habitat. This provides crickets with a safe way to stay hydrated.
What Do You Feed Crickets?
When raising crickets to use as food, remember that whatever goes into the crickets goes into your pet. Keeping crickets at home for a while before feeding them (or when you raise your crickets) has the tremendous advantage of allowing you to gut load, or feed, them before giving them to your pet.
How many crickets can you buy in bulk?
Buying Crickets in Bulk. Online, you can order crickets in bulk (usually batches of 250 up to 1,000), which should save a lot of money if you have been buying small amounts at the pet store. Keep in mind that crickets will only live for a few weeks.
What is gut loading for crickets?
Gut loading simply means feeding the crickets nutritious foods so that the nutrition is passed on to your pet. You can buy prepackaged cricket foods as well as products specifically fortified for gut loading prey food. Good food items are: Tropical fish flakes.
Can you breed crickets for pet?
If your pet reptile goes through a lot of crickets at mealtime, ordering them in bulk and then breeding and raising more crickets yourself is a cost-effective and easy thing to do. But simply getting the crickets to grow isn't all that there is. To have a successful cricket farm, you want to make sure you raise those crickets right to provide proper nutrition to your exotic pet.
Can you feed crickets before giving them to pets?
When raising crickets to use as food, remember that whatever goes into the crickets goes into your pet. Keeping crickets at home for a while before feeding them (or when you raise your crickets) has the tremendous advantage of allowing you to gut load, or feed, them before giving them to your pet.
Do crickets make noise?
Crickets do make noise and have a distinctive odor (but it is not bad as long as the colonies are kept clean) so you have to be willing to live with it.
Can crickets eat fruits?
Fresh vegetables and fruits can be offered to crickets as a supplement even if you are feeding a commercial cricket chow. If you are only feeding a homemade food mix, then feed a wide variety of foods and be sure to sprinkle the food with a reptile vitamin and calcium supplement.
How to feed a gecko?
However, fatty waxworms or superworms will get your gecko jumping with joy. Stick with doling out those treats only once per week. For smaller geckos, flies are the way to go since the larger creepy-crawlies give the smaller breeds trouble.
How to keep a gecko from dehydrating?
It might seem like a lot at first, but you’ll get into a routine right away. Consider putting up a whiteboard or using an app to track his meals and treats, especially if more than one person handles his feedings. Most importantly, always keep him well-stocked in water since geckos can dehydrate easily and need something to wash down all the bugs.
How do you feed them?
If you bring home a baby or juvie, you’ll start by feeding him every day. Since many geckos are nocturnal (the day gecko being an obvious exception), they prefer a nighttime meal. You’ll want to get into the habit of feeding him at about the same time every evening. Once your pet gets a little bigger, you’ll switch to about every other day. And finally, at a year, you’ll cut it down to three times per week.
What to feed a lizard?
Variety is still the spice of life, even for a lizard. Mix things up when it comes to what type of critter you feed him to give him the proper vitamins and minerals (you’ll also want to gut-load, but more on that later). Every pet has a favorite, and you may notice he looks extra pleased when devouring a mealworm or fruit fly. Feel free to indulge his top foods, though — like dealing with a toddler — you’ll need to insist he finish his crickets, too.
Can geckos eat lettuce?
But here’s where it gets tricky: Most pet geckos cannot eat anything that you like to eat ( unless you enjoy crunchy insects). In fact, even the fruit or lettuce other lizards snack on will seriously harm or kill your leo. They simply cannot digest it because they lack the chemicals to do so in their little tummies.
Do leopard geckos need to be fed?
Before you bring your new reptile home, you’ll need to stack the pantry with gecko food, which is mostly just bugs. However, there are a few more steps that go into the gecko feeding process, and you’ll need to be well versed before you embark on this pet ownership journey.
Do geckos eat crickets?
In fact, for most geckos, that’s all they eat. Even pelleted food probably won’t satiate, and your new friend most likely wants to hunt down his own crickets, too. That means you’ll need to be prepared to buy live insects for feeding, so make peace with that part before you dive in. Options include: Crickets. Worms.
Why is it important to feed crickets?
It’s important to pick the right things to feed your crickets in order to tailor their nutritional profile to your own pet’s needs. Crickets can, and will, eat pretty much everything, but for our purposes, it’s vital to make sure you pick the correct formulation to meet your animal’s needs. Gut loading is beneficial in pretty much all cases, ...
What is cricket food?
Commercial Cricket Foods: Various pet companies offer formulations especially designed for gut loading in the form of various pellets and gels that are loaded with nutritional value. The only actual disadvantage of these items is cost, they can add a little bit to your reptile upkeep bill.
How long does it take for crickets to digest food?
These foods are typically fresh vegetables, whole wheat breads, and grains. Then, you allow the crickets about 24 hours to absorb ...
How long do crickets need to gut?
All you need to do is isolate the crickets that you want to gut load in a separate enclosure, place their food and hydration source down, and let them have at it for a day to two days. The best way to do this is just to use a container with a bare bottom, and sprinkle your chosen mixture liberally over the entire floor. This will keep your insects eating until they’re about fit to burst, and that’s exactly what you want.
What is a gut load for a bearded dragon?
Our in-house zoologist has created a gut-load mix of dry grains that boost the nutritional value of your crickets, superworms, and roaches. Our dry gut-load mix will provide the critical calcium, protein, and vitamins that your bearded dragon needs to live a long, and happy life.
What happens if you don't gut load live insects?
If you aren’t gut loading the live insects you feed your reptiles, you’re making a huge mistake. It doesn’t take much time or equipment, and depending on what you feed them it may not even add to the upkeep costs of your animals. It’s a simple but elegant solution to the problems which may arise from a limited diet.
Can crickets eat oranges?
But please know that although crickets like oranges, the acids from the oranges can be harmful to your leopard geckos and bearded dragons.
What kind of cricket is used for gecko?
There is no one type of feeder cricket. In fact, there are a lot of different cricket types but only a few of them are used as feeder cricket. The ones that are often fed to crested geckos are: the common brown cricket (Acheta domesticus): also known as the house cricket. The brown cricket has a grayish or light brown color, ...
How many crickets do crested geckos eat a week?
If you know that one adult crested gecko can eat up to 6 crickets a week you’ll need approximately 25 crickets a month. Of course, if you choose to feed a commercial crested gecko diet and limit the number of crickets you feed, you won’t need that many crickets.
How to keep crickets from jumping out of a container?
When you buy crickets you usually get them in a small container. You want to keep the crickets in a large container with tall sides. This prevents the crickets from jumping out of the container. It’s also important that the sides are smooth so they can’t climb out.
What is gut loading for geckos?
The idea of gut-loading is that you give a diet with a high nutritional value to the crickets. The crested gecko eats the cricket and gets the same valuable nutrition.
What do crickets eat?
Crickets might even eat their own colony members when in a shortage of food. In the wild, crickets will eat rotting plants, leaves, fruits, insects or bugs, depending on the availability in their environment.
What is the color of a cricket?
The brown cricket has a grayish or light brown color, has long antennae and even has wings. Brown crickets also are very capable jumpers with large jumping legs. Brown crickets are very popular in the feeding industry for pets, including reptiles like the crested gecko.
What is the difference between a banded cricket and a house cricket?
The banded cricket has a light yellowish color and has two thick black bands. Banded crickets are more active than house crickets and have a longer lifespan.
