[Chum]

I did a quick recearch for some calcium: phosphor ratios. From what I can gather quick it shows that crickets and espeacially mealworms have a horrible ratio. I think we all agree that a 2:1 ratio of Ca: P is what we strive for.


Crickets: Ca .16 %; P .87 %; ratio 1:5.4
Crickets (gutloaded with food containing high calcium levels) Ca .77 %; Ca .88 %, ratio; 1:1.1
Mealworms: Ca .038 %; P .57 %; ratio 1:15

Taken here: http://nessexotic.com/Portals/0/docs/Calcium.pdf


Crickets: Ca:P = 0.33:1 which translates to a ratio of 1:3
Mealworms: Ca:P = 0.07:1 to 0.33:1 which translates to a ratio of 1:14 to 1:3

Taken here: http://lllreptile.com/info/library/c...rous-reptiles/

So it is quite obvious that crickets and mealworms contain way to much phosphor, and dusting with calcium is needed.

As WingedWolfPsion said it is normally not a consern to add enough phosphor to a geckos diet, but rather to add calcium and phosphor in the right ratio and a proper amount of both.

So I don't see any reason to serve crickets as a staple food other than easy availability or variation.

[hexentanz]

I think you are both misreading what i have been trying to say. So I will just give up.

Enjoy your geckos.

[WingedWolfPsion]

I thought that you were trying to say that these geckos required large amounts of phosphorus in their diet, but you're right--I wasn't sure. Which is why I asked for clarification as to why you believed crickets were necessary.

This was a question more aimed at very experienced keepers who have experimented with different diets--I have at least now gotten a confirmation that others are keeping these geckos successfully on a diet similar to the one I'm using, so that's good.