How Frequently Should Crested Gecko Insects Be Fed?

The frequency of feeding for a crested gecko depends on their diet, with baby geckos being fed daily and adult geckos being fed three or four times per week. They are omnivores, so they should be offered bugs 1-2 times per week for best results. If the gecko is getting fat, reduce the number of feedings. Adults should be offered 6-7 large crickets 2-3 or three times a week. A good feeding schedule should consist of powdered gecko food with live feeder insects and occasional fruit. A good feeding schedule will consist of feeding your crested gecko 3 times a week, with exceptions for hatchlings and juveniles. When using supplements like waxworms or Calciworms® Leopard Geckos, it is recommended to feed 3 to 5 worms 3 times a week.

Crested geckos are omnivores, so they should be fed 1-2 times per week for best results. If the gecko is getting fat, reduce the number of feedings. Rotate between different types of insects and give them about 10 crickets or 5 small dubia every weekend.

How Many Mealworms Should I Feed My Crested Gecko?

For each Crested Gecko in the enclosure, provide 3-4 small mealworms dusted with a multivitamin, 3-4 calcium-dusted crickets, and increase the Crested Gecko wet diet by 1/4 teaspoon per gecko. The amount of mealworms to feed depends on your gecko’s size and age. Start with a test sample of 6 mealworms to gauge how many they consume. Baby geckos should be fed 5-7 small mealworms, while adult Crested geckos can eat about 6 mealworms, with a general rule suggesting two mealworms for each inch of their length.

Ideally, feed them as many insects as they can consume in fifteen minutes, but treat mealworms as an occasional offering. Due to their hard exoskeletons, mealworms can potentially cause impaction, so care is needed. For feeding frequency, baby and juvenile geckos require daily feeding, while adults can eat 3 times a week. A good practice is to offer 3-4 mealworms per serving about once or twice a month, allowing geckos to enjoy them without risking obesity from overconsumption.

Adult geckos should be fed 6-7 large crickets two to three times weekly, along with a consistent feeding and dusting schedule. It’s crucial to monitor their intake based on the size of the mealworms to ensure their health and well-being.

How To Tell If Your Crested Gecko Is Hungry?

Crested geckos display active behaviors, such as exploring their enclosure, which can indicate hunger. Observing your gecko stalking food or licking its lips can also signal it is ready to eat. To ensure your gecko receives adequate nutrition, monitor its activity levels and look for signs of hunger, including searching for food. A happy gecko typically engages in a variety of daily activities like eating and eliminating waste. Healthy skin should appear smooth, while dehydration often results in a wrinkled appearance.

It's crucial to observe your gecko's eating habits, including checking the food dish for remaining food and timing feeding sessions. Signs of a healthy gecko include regular eating, active behavior at night, minimal aggression, consistent shedding, and visible bonding with the owner. If you're concerned about your gecko’s food intake, you may consider hand-feeding every other day while providing remaining food in the enclosure. To monitor your gecko's consumption effectively, weigh it regularly, check for droppings, and look for tongue marks in the food dish.

If the gecko is not eating, you may notice signs like sunken eyes or a wrinkled appearance. Remember that crested geckos may eat less during phases of life changes—aging, shedding, or brumation. Unlike some reptiles, crested geckos do not always display obvious hunger cues. Utilizing paper towels during feeding can help you track food intake. If eating issues arise, assess their tank environment, adjust food, and minimize stressors to improve their well-being.

Can I Feed My Crested Gecko Crickets Every Day?

Feeding crickets to crested geckos is an essential aspect of their nutritional care. Crickets are an excellent, inexpensive source of protein, making them a popular choice among gecko owners. Before serving, it is crucial to dust the crickets with calcium to ensure the gecko receives necessary nutrients and to prevent deficiencies.

The frequency and quantity of cricket feeding depend on the gecko's age. Hatchlings under three months old should be fed crickets 4 to 5 times daily, providing small portions that match their size and appetite. Juvenile geckos, aged between three to twelve months, require crickets 2 to 3 times per day. As geckos mature into adolescents (12 to 18 months old), the feeding frequency decreases to once daily. For adult crested geckos over eighteen months, crickets should be offered 2 to 3 times a week, or even once or twice weekly, to avoid overfeeding and stress.

When selecting crickets, ensure they are not larger than the distance between the gecko's eyes to prevent choking and facilitate easier consumption. An average mature crested gecko may consume around 6 to 10 crickets per feeding, while hatchlings and juveniles eat fewer, typically 3 to 6 crickets per feeding session. Overfeeding can lead to stress and nutrient imbalances, so it is important to monitor and adjust portions accordingly.

Live crickets are preferred as they stimulate the gecko's hunting instincts and provide fresh, nutritious food. However, maintaining live crickets requires proper care, including regular feeding and habitat maintenance. Alternatively, pre-killed or gut-loaded crickets can be used, but they should still be dusted with calcium before feeding.

In addition to crickets, a well-rounded diet for crested geckos should include other insects and powdered gecko food, supplemented with occasional fruits to ensure balanced nutrition. Establishing a consistent feeding and dusting schedule helps maintain the gecko's health and well-being. Adult crested geckos can thrive on a diet where insects are provided about once a week, complemented by daily access to powdered food and fruits.

Crested geckos are nocturnal, so feeding should be scheduled for the mid-afternoon to evening. While they may occasionally go without food for a few weeks, regular feeding ensures they receive the necessary nutrients for growth and maintenance. By adhering to these guidelines, owners can support the health and longevity of their crested geckos through proper cricket feeding practices.

How Often Should Crested Geckos Eat Insects?

Feeding your crested gecko requires careful consideration of their diet and schedule for optimal health. Live food should be offered 1 to 2 times a week, with 2-3 insects per gecko during each feeding. It's recommended to remove the gecko from its enclosure and place it in a smaller, safe habitat for hunting or to use tongs for feeding. Suitable insects include crickets, calcium worms, and Dubia roaches, while butter worms and wax worms should only be given occasionally—about once or twice a month.

The feeding frequency varies by age: juveniles (0-12 months) should be fed daily with live insects offered 1-2 times a week, while adults over six months need feeding every 2-3 days, as their metabolism slows. Even with a balanced diet, offering insects is crucial. If a gecko gains excessive weight, consider reducing feedings.

When feeding, it’s advisable to provide a variety of insects, ensuring they are dusted with calcium powder. Adult geckos can typically consume these insects every weekend. For their main diet, consider Pangea Fruit Mix or similar gecko diets, provided 3-4 days a week, alongside the occasional meal replacement powder and live insects.

Always remember to avoid wild-caught bugs due to potential contamination and diseases. Lastly, monitor your gecko's eating habits to ensure they maintain a healthy weight.