When it comes to pets, any animal that requires live feed is quite obviously more complex than your usual dog-food-in-bowl routine. Thankfully, taking care of this creature is so rewarding, many consider them worth the effort.
Hailing from the arid regions of Central Asia, Leopard Geckos are insectivores. While us humans benefit from fruit and veggies in our diet, these creatures do not. There is a huge range of insects these critters consume, but they can be narrowed down to the most common two-- mealworms and crickets
Crickets are excellent in terms of nutrition and ease of digestion. They also do put up quite a chase which makes for great stimulation for your gecko. This helps them feel like they are out in the wild, hunting. Remember that with wild animals in captivity, it is always best when you are able to take them as close to their original environment as possible.
As with all good things, these things do not come without detriments. The top of mind problem with critters is the ruckus they cause. They are incredibly annoying and noisy. Note that feeding your gecko life crickets means you will need to house them. Do not feed your gecko more than four crickets, as these insects are known to bite your gecko when they are not eaten.
Mealworms are much easier to feed your gecko with. Place them in a pan and put them into your vivarium. Make sure the pan is stable and does not tip over, as mealworms like hiding in the substrate. They aren't as stimulating as your crickets though. The way to fix this is to put some cricket feed into their pan. They squirm around in response to the dust and in effect, make for a very stimulating meal.
Although many breeders see mealworms more as a treat for their pets rather than a staple food, many other handlers have fed their geckos mealworms for years without ill effects.
As with all great endeavors, it is all a matter of trial and error. Let's hope you find the right mix to help your gecko become strong, healthy and fruitful!
Want to find out more about leopard gecko feed, then visit Ethan Milroy's site on how to choose the best feed for your needs.
