Consider the following 7 reasons below. Reptile.Guide is the preferred educational source on reptiles favored by experienced herptologists and new owners alike. Some leopard gecko owners choose to leave calcium powder in a dish for their leopard gecko. All leopard geckos eat insects and ONLY insects. No captive diet can replicate the nutritional value of the variety of invertebrate, vertebrate, and possibly even occasional plant species that a leopard gecko would ingest in the wild. So because of that, it’s best that we’re making sure nothing happens to them so that they don’t potentially lose it and have to live the rest of their lives without a full and chunky tail. . Let’s look at some leopard gecko diet advice that I summed up from the best resources on the topic available and, of course, my own experience. It’s a list of all of the bugs that I feed to my leopard gecko not only to provide him with a variety but also for maintaining his weight as well. In this case, it’s best to get your pet to an experienced reptile veterinarian as quickly as possible. You have and a number of different factors, however this is a good guide. You can expect the leopard gecko to reach anywhere from 8 to 10 inches in length. I've had my leopard gecko for almost 3 years now, and not until recently she began getting fat. Obviously this can vary quite a lot, depending on the leopard gecko. Get as close as possible to this size without going over. Keep in a smooth-sided container with cardboard egg crates at room temperature for up to three months. Yes, feeding a leopard gecko insects that are super high in fat will help them gain a ton of weight in a short amount of time, but unfortunately, there are many downfalls that come with that. If you follow the advice listed above, you shouldn’t ever have to worry about that happening. ReptileJam.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Assuming that most owners don’t want to rehome their leopard gecko, I recommend taking a look at. You may choose to offer insects and invertebrates you find outside in your yard, but keep in mind that these insects are likely to be carrying parasites and possibly even insecticides and other outdoor poisons. If your leopard gecko’s tail is thicker than its neck or has bubbles of fat and tissue behind its arms, it is overweight. It’s a list of all of the bugs that I feed to my leopard gecko not only to provide him with a variety but also for maintaining his weight as well. Sounds pretty manageable considering other reptiles, such as the bearded dragon can lay a whopping 20 (and in some instances even more!) Let your gecko get comfortable by sitting in its favorite warm spot on your body, and then settle in to watch a movie. If your leopard gecko’s tail is thicker than its neck or has bubbles of fat and tissue behind its arms, it is overweight. This is important to make sure that your leopard gecko isn’t gaining too much weight AND to make sure that it isn’t losing too much weight if it goes on a hunger strike. Their cute appearance, small size, and easy husbandry requirements make them a popular pet for reptile keepers. These things include either rehoming the aggressive leopard gecko to avoid further attacks or putting one of them in their own separate tank for the same exact reason. As a gecko matures, these round pores that look like dots become quite prominent and exude a waxy material. Do you really want to go to the pet store that often? Geckos are cute, docile and friendly little lizards with many interesting behaviors and endearing vocalizations.. Leopard Gecko Food Review 2020- What Should I Feed My Gecko? Having these things stored allows them to go long periods of time without eating by taking what they need to survive out of their tails.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'reptilejam_com-box-3','ezslot_1',107,'0','0'])); Leopard geckos who are captively kept don’t have to worry about running out of food, but because they are animals that come from environments where food can sometimes be scarce, being able to take what they need from their tails is very critical for their survival. While it may seem easy, it can be quite taxing when you have to do it every day just to make sure that it doesn’t get infected from the bacteria lying all throughout the tank. Unlike many other lizards, which may require varied diets from different food groups and unique food preparation techniques, the menu of a pet leopard gecko is relatively straightforward: live insects and vitamins. Yes, feeding a leopard gecko insects that are super high in fat will help them gain a ton of weight in a short amount of time, but unfortunately, there are many downfalls that come with that. Hopefully, all leopard geckos have nice, thick, and chunky tails. The leopard gecko's tail will eventually grow back. My baby leopard gecko seems fairly healthy, and his tail is nice and fat, but he started to get a pink bump on the end of his tail. I looked it up, but couldn’t find any results. It’s important to know all of this information because, depending on your leo’s age, weight, and overall health, you may find a preference for one feeder over another. Ideally, your new Leopard Gecko should… Have a tail that is plump and fat, preferably as wide or wider than the space between the gecko’s shoulders; Have eyes, nose, and mouth that appear clear, with no visible discharge. Really young ones need to be fed once every day. Choose from a wide choice of live insects, worms and ready-made leopard gecko dry foods. While it’s true that leopard geckos can go quite some time without food because of their ability to get what’s needed from their tail, it’s not recommended that any owner stop feeding them as doing so would be harsh and detrimental to their leopard gecko’s health. The common leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) is a nocturnal, ground-dwelling lizard native to the rocky dry grassland and desert regions of Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, India, and Nepal.The common leopard gecko has become a popular pet, and due to extensive captive breeding, is sometimes referred to as the first domesticated species of lizard. To avoid the risk of a calcium overdose, some keepers remove the calcium dish once their leopard gecko reaches adulthood and opt to dust the feeder insects, instead. Depending on the insect species, you can care for them and keep them alive for up to several months before you feed them to your leo. Although caring for an African fat-tail is very similar to caring for a leopard gecko, AFTs are a bit more sensitive and will greatly suffer without the above requirements. Limit these treats to once or twice a week, or more often if you’re trying to help your leopard gecko gain weight. Monitor your leopard gecko’s weight closely with a kitchen or postal scale that weighs in grams. As a final takeaway, remember to ALWAYS monitor your leopard gecko’s weight closely, using a scale that weighs in grams. Leopard geckos are ectothermic, meaning they depend on the environmental temperature to heat their body. However, just because your pet “only” eats bugs does not mean that his or her diet should be boring! Leopard Geckos are native to the arid mountains of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkey in Asia while Fat Tail Geckos are native to the savannas of West Africa. Once you notice you are overfeeding your gecko, cut back on the amount of food you give them and/or remove fatty insects from their diet until the weight returns to … I used to always stress about whether my leopard gecko was too skinny or unhealthy which would lead to sleepless nights. But don’t look at the numbers only – some leopard geckos might have a small body structure and be fat at 60+ grams. This situation simply requires patience. They can live long and normal lives without their original tail, but making sure they’re getting the right amount of food needed with their new tail is a little more important because of the risk of them potentially losing weight a lot quicker from not being able to take what’s needed from it whenever they need food or water because of how small it is. Insects like this, such as lightening bugs, contain a chemical that is highly toxic and can be lethal if ingested by your gecko. The phrase “you are what you eat” resonates here. For leopard geckos, you need to look at their eyes. The first thing you’ll want to do is avoid picking them up by their tails. Just think about it, would you rather gain weight fast by eating cake, pizza, and ice cream every day and have complications in the future or would you rather eat healthier foods and gain it over time? Whenever a leopard gecko drops their tail, they have the ability to grow back another one, but because their new tail is never as chunky or healthy-looking as their original tail, it’s important that we’re protecting it at all costs. This way, you’ll never have to even fuss with insects dead or alive! As a rule of thumb, don’t feed your leopard gecko any insects that are bigger than the space between their eyes. They also use their tails to store fat they can draw on as an energy reserve when food is scarce. Accompanied by an excellent habitat with the proper temperature, humidity, hides, and exercise opportunities, a proper diet will ensure that your pet gecko lives a long, healthy, and happy life. Its legs shouldn't turn into little sausages, and its belly shouldn't be too round. Pinkie mice may be offered to sick, underweight, or breeding leopard geckos as a source of additional fat and protein. Reduced appetite is another dietary problem that leopard gecko owners may face. So in situations like these where they actually need to use their tails for nutrition, it’s okay. There are insects out there such as wax worms and butter worms that are high in fat that will assist your gecko in gaining weight, but because they can become addicted to them and cause them to gain way more weight than what’s healthy for them, these types of bugs should only be fed as treats, which for leopard geckos is about once every two weeks.eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'reptilejam_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_10',108,'0','0'])); Instead of feeding them bugs like that all the time, the very best thing you can do in helping your leopard gain weight is to just simply provide them with many different bugs that carry different types of nutrition. Also, they usually eat their shed skin. Reptile.Guide is not a veterinary website, nor should any of the reptile health information on our site replace the advice of a certified veterinary professional. The hot end of your leopard gecko cage should be maintained at 30-32’C / 86-90’F. A super worm that has recently consumed apples, carrots, and sweet potato will contain more vitamins and nutrients than a super worm that has only eaten oats its whole life. Some particularly gluttonous leopard geckos will feast on calcium powder out of boredom or just to fill their tummy. Their tails should only be used in emergency situations and they should never be put in a position where they have to frequently use it because of a lack of food or water. And even though I’ve had my hands full, I’ve loved every single second of it. This bacteria can come from feces, urates, and even from dead insects that are hidden in hard-to-reach places within the tank. The leopard gecko has a tail that can detach if the animal is caught by a predator. they store the extra fat they get form their food in their tails, and use up the reserve when they are malnourished. A single leopard gecko can be housed in a 10-gallon aquarium, making them a pet that's easy to accommodate. When confronted by a predator or if attacked, the leopard gecko will drop their tail to give them enough of a distraction to escape. What is a healthy leopard geckos tail size? Younger animals and animals that are used for breeding may benefit from insects with higher fat content. Raw meat can carry dangerous bacteria, and cooking meat destroys its nutritional value. Females that are ovulating may not have an appetite, but egg production takes a lot of resources, and they’ll need extra food and supplements once their appetite picks up. A leopard gecko also stores fat in its tail. She isn't extremely fat, but she has a hanging tummy now when she stands, which almost touches the … For instance, if you have a seriously overweight leopard gecko, then you’re probably going to want to stick with feeding them crickets, silkworms, or hornworms until you get their weight under control. Leopard gecko gender can be difficult to tell, but size is a factor. A fully mature leopard gecko needs to be fed every 3 to 4 days. Leopard gecko tails come in various different sizes from long to short all the way to extremely fat to a little skinnier, but they all have one thing in common and that’s to store the things needed in it in order to help them survive. This may help you and your leopard gecko form a bond. Source(s): caretaker for 12 leopard geckos (with three on the way!!) Also, please note that adolescent leopard geckos require MORE calcium than adults. Insects should be no larger than the space between their eyes. As stated above, they come from environments where food can be really hard to come by due to other predators taking it or in the winter where a lot of their prey either die or hibernate. Cold-blooded reptiles have slow digestive systems; they’ve evolved to withstand days, weeks, and in some cases, months without eating when the conditions aren’t ideal. Ensure that your leopard gecko has access to a basking spot or hide that consistently measures 87-94°F. Weird, I know. However, there is a small risk of calcium overdose, so some keepers choose to dust all feeder insects with calcium, instead. Note. Congratulations on finishing this crash course in leopard gecko diet and nutrition! What should a Leopard Gecko drink? Not to fret however, this guide will show you how I have dealt with the meanest lizards making them puppy dog tame. But, there are a few more tidbits of info you should know to ensure a happy healthy leopard gecko. These insects have ideal or close to ideal protein and fat content, and they can be the staple of your pet’s diet. This site is owned and operated by ReptileJam.com, a limited liability company headquartered in Indiana, USA. Keep them in the original container in the door of your fridge for up to four months. This situation allows your pet to self-regulate its calcium intake and lick the supplement whenever the body signals a need for it. Keep in the original cup, upside down, at room temperature for three to seven days. Feeding them a variety will be a much slower way to get them to gain weight, but it pays off in the long run and will ensure that they’re staying healthy. This includes the size of the tail. Additionally, knowing the calcium and fat content can also be helpful because it will allow you to feed a sick or underweight leopard gecko. Simply put the feeder insects in a plastic bag with the supplement powder, give it a little shake, and then offer the coated feeder insects to your pet gecko. To tame a leopard gecko, you will need to build their trust and prove to them that you are not a threat. These little guys usually have voracious appetites and will happily gorge themselves with whatever food is available. Normal and giant leopard gecko can reach 40-100 grams, some even pushing to 110-120 grams. With hundreds of articles on everything pertaining to lizards, turtles, and snakes, our experienced team provides reliable and accurate content you can trust. Feeding a variety of different insects is an essential form of enrichment for your pet. They’ll become less active and stop eating, but you may still see them move around the enclosure and drink water. Baby leopard geckos need to eat EVERY day, and even adult leopard geckos need to eat several times a week. Leopard geckos tend to squirm a lot when picking them up in ways that they shouldn’t be picked up, so because of that, their tails could easily detach while being mishandled.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'reptilejam_com-banner-1','ezslot_4',111,'0','0'])); Another thing you’ll want to avoid is leaving two aggressive leopard geckos in the same tank. In fact, doing so will give you 2 distinct benefits…. Leopard geckos don’t have the anatomy required to digest fruits, vegetables, and grains. This is why supplementing with vitamins is SO important! Expert Tip: Not 100% sure you’re down with the whole insect thing? You could offer canned or freeze-dried insects, but they aren’t as nutritional as fresh, live insects, and most leopard geckos are uninterested in prey that doesn’t move. Many people have noticed that their African fat-tailed geckos shed their tails … Reptiles need an equal amount of calcium to process phosphorus. Here’s how often to supply each vitamin type: Now that you understand the importance of vitamins and what insects you can give your leopard gecko, let’s briefly discuss a couple topics in relation to feeders. The optimal period for gut-loading insects is 12-48 hours before you feed them to your leopard gecko. Some owners will also feed leopard geckos dubia roaches or waxworms. The reason for that is because although they can pull food, water, and nutrients from their tails when needed, they should only do it in situations just like that, whenever they absolutely need to. Most insects have higher phosphorus than calcium, which is why we coat them in calcium powder. Remember the basics: bugs, water, and vitamins. More than one male gecko should not be kept in the same habitat as they will fight. Have a vent (an opening … Keep in a secure, ventilated container with a lid and cardboard egg crates at room temperature for eight to ten weeks. Males can also become so distracted with trying to find a partner that they lose interest in food during the breeding season, too. Why do leopard geckos have fat tails? Keep them in the original container at room temperature or the door of your fridge for up to one month. Well, then why not consider adopting one of many strictly vegetarian reptiles instead? 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