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What do Leopard Geckos eat?

Leopard Geckos are mostly insectivorous and benefit from eating a wide variety of captive-bred live food. In order for your Leopard Gecko to be healthy, you need to ensure their food is dusted in supplements according to a set schedule, and that they have access to UVB and basking opportunities.


Staple Foods

The following insects can be fed reguarly, as a part of your Leopard Geckos varied diet. Variation is key, we recommend feeding your gecko at least 3 species of insect reguarly.


Dubia Cockroaches

Pros

  • Very easy to keep alive

  • Cannot climb or fly, so don't escape easily

  • Cannot reproduce without more heat and humidity than British houses provide in the event of an escape

  • Don't smell

  • Very nutritious

  • Quiet

  • Can be fed veggie scraps and cat food

Cons

  • Many people dislike the idea of keeping cockroaches

  • Difficult to release into an enclosure, as they don't move around much and will burrow into soil.

  • Relatively expensive

Locusts

Pros

  • Easy to keep alive

  • Relatively slow-moving (easy to catch)

  • Can be released into an enclosure, allowing for hunting enrichment

  • Cheap to buy

  • Can be left unattended in an enclosure, unlikely to bite

  • Quiet

  • Can be fed veggie scraps and cat food

Cons

  • Can jump so escapes more likely


Red Runner Cockroaches

Pros

  • Nutritious

  • Fun for your gecko to hunt

  • Silent

  • Easy to keep alive

  • Very cheap to buy

  • Can be fed veggie scraps and cat food

Cons

  • Many people dislike the idea of keeping cockroaches

  • Can breed in your house if they escape

  • Bad smelling

  • Smaller size so your gecko will need to eat more

Silkworms

Pros

  • Very nutritious

  • Leopard Geckos love them

  • Don't smell

Cons

  • Expensive

  • Difficult to keep alive

  • Difficult to breed

  • Can only eat mulberry leaves (you can buy paste)

Mealworms

Pros

  • Very cheap

  • Somewhat nutritious (hard exo-skeleton)

  • Very easy to keep alive

  • Can be fed veggie scraps and cat food

  • Most geckos from breeders will be established on mealworms

  • Can be left in a bowl so geckos always have access

Cons

  • Can have a small when large amounts are kept

  • Often used as a geckos only food source, which isn't ideal

  • If allowed to pupate, they will become darkling beetles which Leopard Geckos don't like to eat

Crickets

Pros

  • Nutritious

  • Great