Leopard Gecko Bowser: ceramic heat emitter, night viewing bulb, setup ?s, & all
- Thread starter Bowser
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Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
Bowser is a pretty cool lookin' dude!
Be sure you set up his tank prior to his arrival. Check out the leo guidelines linked in my signature right here---almost one-stop-shopping :yahoo:.
Be sure you set up his tank prior to his arrival. Check out the leo guidelines linked in my signature right here---almost one-stop-shopping :yahoo:.
Bowser
New member
are freeze dried crickets a good food source for Leopard geckos?
I planned on my gecko having a staple diet of meal worms, but after that article on impaction, i'm not so sure. I don't know how much of an option live crickets are in the home i rent. I read that there are reeze dried food sources, but don't know anything about it. Was wondering if anyone could help me out with this? Or have other options I could look at???
I planned on my gecko having a staple diet of meal worms, but after that article on impaction, i'm not so sure. I don't know how much of an option live crickets are in the home i rent. I read that there are reeze dried food sources, but don't know anything about it. Was wondering if anyone could help me out with this? Or have other options I could look at???
cricket4u
New member
Hi,
No canned foods please! Leopard geckos need their insects alive, gutloaded and dusted. It's important that you feed variety of insects and not just one item. Most items available are posted on the caresheet.
GeckoLover123
New member
Cricket4u is like the jesus of geckos. 
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
Cricket4u is like the jesus of geckos.
Keep up the great work, cricket4u :banana:!
Bowser
New member
So if I'm not able to store live crickets, then what? I understand a balanced diet is the best thing, but it sort of sounds like live crickets are the ONLY staple...and everything else is just extra. Is this true?
I saw that meal worms aren't in the list of good food sources in the care sheet. But silk worms, butter worms, horn worms are...are these much better than meal worms? And where could I get them?
I saw that meal worms aren't in the list of good food sources in the care sheet. But silk worms, butter worms, horn worms are...are these much better than meal worms? And where could I get them?
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My_Leopard_Bijou
New member
If you absolutely can't get crickets or another staple, it can't be that bad. Many breeders raise their geckos on a staple of mealworms. Just make sure they are alive, gutloaded, and dusted. Because of some obstacles, I'm only able to feed mealworms to my geckos. I sift through the container looking for the worms that just shed so they will be soft and easier for my geckos to digest. Now I'm not completely sure if this is correct, but I read somewhere that leopard geckos have something in their stomach that breaks down whatever the mealworm's shell is made of. Crickets are your first choice, but if you absolutely can't use them, mealworms aren't horrible.
cricket4u
New member
Well, it doesn't work that way. If you read through the threads this topic has been discussed over and over again. It's no different than if I ate the same food item and nothing else. The gecko may appear healthy due to the fat content in mealworms, however in reality the gecko is suffering from nutritional deficiencies. I suggest that you both read through as many post as necessary. It will help you understand the importance of a varied diet.
cricket4u
New member
I forgot to mention I am half gecko and half human.:lol:Cricket4u is like the jesus of geckos.
My_Leopard_Bijou
New member
Well, it doesn't work that way. If you read through the threads this topic has been discussed over and over again. It's no different than if I ate the same food item and nothing else. The gecko may appear healthy due to the fat content in mealworms, however in reality the gecko is suffering from nutritional deficiencies. I suggest that you both read through as many post as necessary. It will help you understand the importance of a varied diet.
I will definitely read through them. It is really very difficult for me sometimes to understand what is right and wrong concerning my lizards. So many people contradict each other and I try to go off of what I think seems most reasonable. I've begged my dad to allow me to feed my lizards varied food, but he refuses to have any insects except the absolute necessities in his house. Also, I realize that mealworms don't provide much nutrition in comparison to other feeders, so I have read through many gutloading threads and make sure the mealworms are completely loaded with as many vitamins and nutrients as I can possibly fit into their little stomachs! As soon as I get to move out, my lizards will eat like kings... er... queens. They're female.
Bowser
New member
I will definitely read through them. It is really very difficult for me sometimes to understand what is right and wrong concerning my lizards. So many people contradict each other and I try to go off of what I think seems most reasonable. I've begged my dad to allow me to feed my lizards varied food, but he refuses to have any insects except the absolute necessities in his house. Also, I realize that mealworms don't provide much nutrition in comparison to other feeders, so I have read through many gutloading threads and make sure the mealworms are completely loaded with as many vitamins and nutrients as I can possibly fit into their little stomachs! As soon as I get to move out, my lizards will eat like kings... er... queens. They're female.
Read up on Phoenix Worms...they seem to be even better than crickets! And you don't have to feed them either, leave them be and just feed them to you lizards. Also have a choice to store at room temp. or keep cool to last longer.
RadioGumdrop
New member
I usually feed my gecko only crickets and a waxworm every other week. Crickets are great because they're extremely inexpensive ($3.00 for about 30 of them). Why wouldn't you be able to keep crickets? Keeping live crickets is relatively easy. You can get a good sized cricket cage at pets mart that comes with tubes for easy feeding. Fluker's cricket feed also is relatively cheep and it lasts a good amount of time. It's fortified with calcium and is a premium gut-loader. The only downside to crickets, in my opinion, is the chirping and smell.
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
Thing about Phoenix worms is the largest ones are only say 3/4 inch. A leo would have to eat the whole container for a meal :biggrin:...well, almost the whole container ;-). Then some leos only take one worm and no more.
About butterworms: some leos will just eat a few and no more
Have not heard the actual scoop on hornworms.
What I have heard is that crickets and silkworms are very good! Guess mealworms would be alright...just not as a staple diet.
I'm not sure on this: Feeding leos a varied diet, which is very important, might be easier if one starts leos on variety while young???
One caution on Blaptica dubia: They are way high in protein...maybe best NOT to be used as a staple either.
Bowser ~ Just google the feeder. A new (quieter) cricket (Gryllodes sigillatus) is about to be sold by Ghann's Crickets.
My_Leopard_Bijou
New member
So if I do phoenix worms, how many does each gecko get per day? Are they expensive? More expensive than mealworms? Also, can I buy them from the common pet store?
My_Leopard_Bijou
New member
The thing is, I CAN keep crickets relatively easily. My dad is the problem. He hates bugs. It took enough pleading to allow me to get live food for them. I've tried reasoning with him. Nothing works. He might go for phoenix worms though considering they're pretty similar to mealworms in terms of storage... at least from what I've heard.
Bowser
New member
I rent in a house...pet policy due to cleanliness/odor/noise. Crickets are definitely out.
If you go to phoenixworm.com i believe they sell 600 for $27. Theres also a trial for 100 for $5. They also include size references to a penny. The largest ones r actually a good size! And again, the best part is you do NOT feed them!!! They are already gut loaded when bought!
If you go to phoenixworm.com i believe they sell 600 for $27. Theres also a trial for 100 for $5. They also include size references to a penny. The largest ones r actually a good size! And again, the best part is you do NOT feed them!!! They are already gut loaded when bought!