By Crested geckos are fascinating reptiles that make excellent pets for both beginners and experienced reptile enthusiasts. Understanding their dietary needs is crucial in ensuring they remain happy and healthy in captivity. This comprehensive feeding guide provides you with all the necessary information to keep your crested gecko well-fed and thriving.
Table of Contents
Introduction to Crested Gecko Diet
Crested geckos are omnivorous reptiles that, in the wild, feed on a variety of insects, fruits, and nectar from flowers. In captivity, providing a balanced diet for your crested gecko is relatively easy, thanks to the availability of commercial crested gecko diets and a wide range of suitable insects and fruits.
A well-rounded crested gecko diet should consist of:
- Commercial crested gecko food (Meal Replacement Powder – MRP)
- Insects as a treat
- Fruits and vegetables as a treat
- Vitamin and mineral supplements, if necessary
It is essential to understand the nutritional needs of your crested gecko and provide them with a diet that closely resembles their natural food sources. This will ensure their happiness, health, and longevity in captivity.
The Basics of a Crested Gecko Diet
A healthy diet is vital for your crested gecko’s well-being and lifespan. There are two primary ways to approach your crested gecko’s diet:
- An insect and fruit-based natural diet: This diet tries to mimic the diet of crested geckos in their natural habitat. Although they are omnivores, research has shown that most crested geckos have a diet based on fruit and nectar in the wild.
- A powder/granulate meal replacement diet: This diet utilizes commercially available crested gecko food and supplements it with insects, worms, and fruit as treats.
The primary difference between these two approaches lies in the level of effort and knowledge required to maintain a balanced diet. The “natural” diet requires careful measurement and balancing of nutritional values, which might not be suitable for new crested gecko owners. On the other hand, the commercial crested gecko diet is easier to manage and contains most of the nutrients your crested gecko needs to stay healthy.
Commercial Crested Gecko Food
Several reputable brands offer commercial crested gecko food that provides most of the nutrients your crested gecko needs. There are two types of commercial crested gecko food available:
- Meal Replacement Powders (MRP): This type of diet comes in powder form, which is then mixed with water to create a paste. The paste can be fed to your crested gecko using a shallow dish or feeding cup.
- Granules/Pellets: This type of diet comes in the form of small, ball-shaped granules that can be placed directly into a food dish.
Some popular brands of commercial crested gecko food include Repashy, T-Rex, Fluker’s Farms, and Pangea.
It can be challenging to determine which brand and type of food is best for your crested gecko. To learn more about the available options, you can consult detailed guides on commercial crested gecko diets.
Insects and Worms
Insects and worms are a vital component of a crested gecko’s diet, providing essential protein and nutrients. Some popular insects and worms to feed your crested gecko include:
- Crickets: Crickets are the most popular choice of insect food for crested geckos. They are an excellent source of protein and relatively inexpensive. Make sure to provide crickets that are no larger than the distance between your gecko’s eyes.
- Dubia Roaches: Dubia roaches are gaining popularity among gecko owners due to their high nutritional value. While they are not as readily available in pet stores and tend to be pricier than crickets, they make an excellent addition to your crested gecko’s diet.
Worms, such as mealworms, waxworms, and superworms, can also be fed to crested geckos but should be given as treats rather than primary food sources.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables can be fed to your crested gecko as treats, providing additional nutrients and variety in their diet. Crested geckos can eat a range of soft fruits, with the exception of citrus fruits, that are high in calcium and low in phosphorus. Some suitable fruits include papaya, figs, raspberries, prickly pears, berries, grapes, apples, pears, melons, watermelons, cherries, bananas, peaches, and cantaloupes.
It is essential to maintain a 2:1 calcium to phosphorus ratio in your crested gecko’s diet. Most fruits have a low calcium content but are high in phosphorus, so they should only be fed as occasional treats.
Vitamins and Mineral Supplements
When offering insects and worms, it is essential to gut-load and dust them to provide extra vitamins and minerals for your crested gecko. Gut-loading involves feeding the insects with nutrient-rich food 24 hours before feeding them to your gecko. Dusting refers to coating the insects with calcium and vitamin D3 powder before feeding them to your gecko.
Products like Fluker’s High Calcium Cricket Powder are popular choices for gut-loading, while calcium and vitamin D3 powders are widely available in pet stores.
Treats for Crested Geckos
Crested geckos enjoy occasional treats, but it is essential to limit their intake to prevent obesity and health issues. Common treats for crested geckos include mashed soft fruits, such as those mentioned earlier, and worms due to their high fat content. Treats should be limited to once or twice a month to maintain a balanced diet.
Harmful Foods to Avoid
Certain foods can be harmful to your crested gecko and should be avoided. Some examples include:
- Baby Food: Baby food often contains high amounts of sugar, additives, and preservatives that are harmful to crested geckos. While it was once a popular option for crested gecko owners, it is now recommended to use commercial crested gecko diets instead.
- Large Insects: Feeding large insects to your crested gecko can cause injury or impaction. Ensure that the insects you provide are no larger than the space between your gecko’s eyes.
- Citrus Fruits: Citrus fruits contain citric acid, which can be harmful to crested geckos. These fruits should only be given as treats and limited to once or twice a month.
Water Requirements
Crested geckos require a humid environment and access to water to stay healthy. A water dish or water bowl is necessary for providing water to your crested gecko. However, crested geckos also obtain water by licking droplets from leaves or the sides of their enclosure. Ensure that you mist the vivarium once or twice a day to create water droplets for your crested gecko to drink.
Crested Gecko Feeding Schedule
A proper feeding schedule is crucial for maintaining your crested gecko’s health. Adult crested geckos do not need to eat every day but should be fed three times a week. Hatchlings and juveniles, on the other hand, can be fed daily to promote growth.
A typical feeding schedule includes:
- Meal replacement powder or granulated food: 3 times a week
- Insects: once or twice a week
- Fruits and worms: once or twice a month
Feed your crested gecko in the evening, as they are crepuscular and nocturnal creatures. Remove any uneaten food within 24 hours to prevent the buildup of bacteria and unpleasant odors.
By following this comprehensive feeding guide, you will ensure that your crested gecko remains happy, healthy, and thriving in captivity.