| The author is a reptile hobbyist and adopted several | | | | preferences, you should observe the animal and |
| leopard geckos as this pet. He has read most of the | | | | remove and dispose of the leftover insects after the |
| If you've never owned a reptile before, then you will | | | | gecko has lost interest in them. For a small gecko, |
| probably find the eating habits of a gecko take some | | | | start out with four crickets. Larger ones may have |
| getting used to. Geckos, like many other reptiles and | | | | as many as eight of them at a feeding. |
| amphibians, are insectivores. This means their staple | | | | Leopard gecko care is important, especially food. |
| diet consists of insects. Many pet stores that sell | | | | When you feed the insects to your gecko, be sure |
| geckos will also carry a variety of crickets, | | | | to gut load them for a few days beforehand. Gut |
| mealworms, superworms, silkworms and | | | | loading is a term that means you've fed the insects |
| cockroaches, and all of these are suitable meals for | | | | highly nutritious foods. Whatever the insect eats is |
| the animal. | | | | going to go straight into your gecko, and by giving |
| As a treat, especially for egg-laying and breeding | | | | the insect high-quality food, you are indirectly giving |
| adult females, you may want to provide a pinkie | | | | that to your pet. Geckos are what they eat, after all. |
| mouse that is only a few days old. Waxworms are | | | | Most insects will eat just about anything, especially |
| also an option, but you should give these to your | | | | crickets. While you can give them specially prepared, |
| gecko very infrequently, as they are very fattening | | | | commercial chows, you can also give them fresh |
| and are addictive for geckos. Consider them another | | | | fruits, leafy greens and vegetables. It's recommended |
| rare treat. | | | | that you buy vitamin and calcium supplement |
| The feeding schedule for your gecko will depend on | | | | powders, then dust the insects directly before giving |
| its size. Growing juveniles need more food than | | | | them to your leopard geckos. |
| adults. Provide food for the babies every single day, | | | | When it comes to water, keep a ready supply |
| and for the adults, feed them every other day. Only | | | | available at all times. Keep it clean and keep it fresh. |
| give as much food as will be consumed in one | | | | Water that is allowed to become stagnant is a |
| feeding, and then remove the leftover insects. How | | | | breeding ground for bacteria and germs, which can |
| long the feeding lasts depends on the size and | | | | cause illness. |
| appetite of your gecko. Until you learn its habits and | | | | |