Feeding my new leopard gecko

[G.G (gecko girl)]

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I am soon getting a baby leopard gecko and am not sure how often I should feed him/her while they are a baby and adult. I will be feeding it mealworms and every site I checked says a different quantity for how much I should feed it. Another thing is I don't know what to do with the beetles that the mealworms turn into if my leopard gecko won't eat them. So, how much and how often do I feed him/her, and what do I do with the unwanted beetles? And how much should you give your gecko vitamin powder? ( I know calcium needs to be provided at all times)

[PoppyDear]

Hello!

Thanks for researching before you get the gecko! Feeding can be a difficult topic, as can supplimentation. When they are babies you feed every day, I will reccomend a schedule that will change as they mature into adults (Starting at 12 months). Feed as much as they will eat in 15 minutes at first, then you can average that and feed them the average number of bugs they consumed when you let him/her eat as much as they want in 15 minutes. Feed more if they act hungry and as they get larger, or increase insect size (The insect must always fit in the space between their eyes).

Unwanted beatles can be used for breeding! I personally do not put my mealworms in the fridge for better gutloading, then I get pupa and then they transform into my breeding beatles, you could try breeding to save money! But if you don't want them then you will probably have to kill them yourself, sadly.

Keep in mind that you have to feed variety, more than just mealworms, dubia and crickets can be a staple, supplimented by hornworms, mealworms, calci worms etc. Vitamin and calcium powder are not reccomended in the tank to avoid over doses. Plain precipitated calcium carbonate can be kept in the tank for only babies. Here is a schedule to help you with feeding and supplimenting;

•Use Zoo Med Repti Calcium with D3 at 1 feeding per week. Lightly dust it on half the crickets or dubia, not every insect at that feeding.
•Use Zoo Med ReptiVite multivitamins without D3 at 1 feeding per week. Lightly dust it on crickets or dubia. Maybe only lightly dust half the insects at that feeding.
•Use plain precipitated calcium carbonate at 1 feeding per week. Lightly dust it on crickets or dubia. Precipitated calcium carbonate is purer than oyster shell calcium. The NOW brand sold in health foods stores is ideal.

Weekly Schedule for Leos 12 months old & under

Crickets or dubia >> Monday - Zoo Med Repti Calcium with D3
Crickets or duba >> Tuesday
Mealworms >> Wednesday
Crickets or dubia >> Thursday - Zoo Med ReptiVite multivitamins without D3
Crickets or dubia >> Friday
Mealworms >> Saturday - precipitated calcium carbonate without D3
No food or free choice >> Sunday

Future weeks:
Continue on since all weeks are identical. . . . . .


Would you mind telling us what suppliments you have currently, if any? Those above are very good suppliments I reccomend.

Best of luck!

[Elizabeth Freer]

The schedule PoppyDear shares above is wonderful.

Only 1 change:
I would NOT keep even plain calcium in the enclosure 24/7. Too much calcium coats the digestive tract and actually impairs absorption of the very vitamins and minerals one dusts with.

[G.G (gecko girl)]

Thank you both you've been a big help

[Elizabeth Freer]

Thank you both you've been a big help

You're most welcome, G.G.

Keep GU in mind for all things gecko related.

[Rdoyle225]

I thought mealworms where pretty much garbage?

[Elizabeth Freer]

I thought mealworms where pretty much garbage?

Mealworms are significantly higher in fat and chitin than some other feeders like crickets. Some of their nutrition depends upon what they eat.

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For more mealworm and superworm info click: Click: Mealworm & Superworm Tips......acpart, Hilde, & swisswiss -- July 2017

[G.G (gecko girl)]

I forgot to tell poppydear I was planning on using the National Geographic vitamins and calcium

[Elizabeth Freer]

I forgot to tell poppydear I was planning on using the National Geographic vitamins and calcium

Please check this link.

Click: Gecko Multivitamins

[Elizabeth Freer]

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Here's additional feedback on Zoo Med's supplements --

Click: Why I recommend Zoo Med's Repti Calcium with D3 & Zoo Med's ReptiVite multivitamins without D3?