By Table of Contents
Mourning Gecko Diet: An Overview
Mourning geckos are omnivorous in nature, which means they consume a varied diet of fruit, pollen, and insects in the wild. In captivity, their diet consists of a combination of fruit-based crested gecko diets (CGD), insects, and calcium supplements. It is essential to provide a balanced diet that meets their nutritional requirements to keep these geckos healthy and thriving.
Feeding Rotation
The ideal feeding rotation for mourning geckos consists of the following schedule:
- CGD for 2 days
- Insects for 3 days
- 2 “off” days
This rotation ensures that the geckos receive adequate nutrition from both plant-based and protein-rich sources. If you have a busy schedule, offering fresh CGD every 48 hours and dusted insects 1-2 times per week is also a successful approach.
Crested Gecko Diet (CGD)
Crested gecko diet (CGD) is a powdered formula specifically designed for geckos. It is essential to choose a high-quality, nutritionally complete CGD for your mourning geckos. Some trusted brands include:
- Pangea
- Repashy
- Leapin’ Leachie
- Zoo Med
- Black Panther Zoological
- Lugarti
These brands offer top-quality nutrition and a range of flavors to cater to your gecko’s preferences or provide variety in their diet.
Preparing Powdered Diets
To prepare CGD, mix the powdered formula with water to achieve a ketchup or smoothie-like consistency (usually 2-3 parts water per 1 part powder). Offer the prepared CGD in a biodegradable condiment cup, which can be placed on the ground or a wall-mounted feeding ledge. If you have multiple geckos, offering CGD in multiple cups can help prevent quarreling. The CGD should be removed after no more than 2 days.
Feeder Insects
Feeder insects are an essential part of a mourning gecko’s diet, providing protein, vitamins, and minerals. Some suitable feeder insects for mourning geckos include:
- Fruit flies
- Pinhead crickets
- Calci-worms
- Tiny roaches
It is crucial to gut-load feeder insects for at least 24 hours before feeding them to your geckos. This process ensures the insects are nutritionally enriched and safe for your geckos to consume.
Gut-loading Feeder Insects
Gut-loading is the process of feeding insects a nutritious diet before offering them to your geckos. Ideally, the insects should come pre-gut-loaded from the breeder. If they aren’t, or if you buy your feeder insects in bulk, you can gut-load them using a reconstituted version of one of the following professional formulas:
- Repashy Bug Burger
- Mazuri Better Bug
- Timberline Vita-Bug
- Nature Zone Total Bites
You can also add a sprinkle of bee pollen for extra nutrition.
Dusting Feeder Insects
As mourning geckos constantly produce eggs, adequate calcium intake is critical to their welfare. All insects should be gut-loaded and dusted with a high-quality calcium supplement. Some recommended calcium supplements include:
- Rep-Cal Calcium with or without Vitamin D3
- Miner-All Indoor or Outdoor Formula
- Zoo Med Repti Calcium with or without Vitamin D3
If you are using UVB lighting in your geckos’ enclosure, use a calcium powder without vitamin D. If you are not using UVB lighting, use a calcium powder with vitamin D. However, using UVB is strongly recommended.
To dust feeder insects, place the insects in a container with calcium powder and shake them until evenly coated. Serve the dusted insects to your geckos.
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
While CGD provides adequate nutrients for mourning geckos, including fresh fruits and vegetables adds variety to their diet and can be beneficial. Some suitable fresh fruits include:
- Papaya
- Mango
- Banana
- Figs
Vegetables are not a primary part of a mourning gecko’s diet, but small amounts of dark, leafy greens or other veggies can be offered occasionally for added nutrition. Ensure that any fresh produce is thoroughly washed and cut into small, manageable pieces for your geckos.
Avoiding Baby Food and Fruit Puree
It is essential to note that baby food or fruit puree is not an acceptable substitute for CGD. These products lack the necessary nutrients and may contain added sugars or preservatives that can be harmful to mourning geckos.
Calcium Supplements
In addition to dusting insects with calcium powder, it is beneficial to provide an extra dish of calcium powder for your geckos to lick as needed. This extra calcium source ensures that your geckos maintain adequate calcium levels, particularly when they are constantly producing eggs.
Feeding Frequency
Mourning geckos should be fed most days of the week. A general feeding schedule consists of plant-based foods twice a week and protein-based foods three times a week. For the remaining two days, fasting the geckos allows for healthy digestion.
Potential Health Issues
Like other reptiles, mourning geckos are at risk of various health issues, including:
- Respiratory infections
- Bacterial infections
- Skeletal issues (e.g., metabolic bone disease)
These health issues can often be avoided or managed by providing a balanced diet, proper enclosure conditions, and regular cleaning and maintenance of their habitat.
Water and Hydration
Mourning geckos rarely drink from standing water, preferring to lap up droplets from plant leaves. However, providing a small, shallow water dish is still essential for their well-being. The geckos can use the dish to cool off or soak when necessary. Ensure the dish is regularly cleaned and replenished, as geckos may defecate in it, leading to bacterial growth.
Conclusion
Mourning geckos are fascinating and relatively easy-to-care-for reptiles that thrive when provided with a balanced diet and proper living conditions. By following this comprehensive feeding guide and ensuring your geckos receive a varied diet of CGD, insects, and calcium supplements, you’ll help keep these captivating creatures healthy and happy throughout their lives.