How do you feed your leopard gecko?

Mozina

Mozina

New member
Hey guys,

I've been having some trouble feeding my leopard gecko lately. My procedure is to remove everything in the tank and then dump a ****roach or mealworm right in front of her. What seems to happen is that she ignores the food completely; she even walks right across it. But it could also be that she can't see it? One time I had the ****roach between the tweezers and I held it in front of her. She pulled her head back, looking surprised, focusing on the ****roach and ate it. Also, it's pretty damn hard to keep the food in front of her because 1) she's moving around constantly, and 2) the food is of course fleeing as soon as it lands on the substrate.

I'm not sure if it's because of the tank, that the ****roach has too much space to run around and escape, or if it's because she can't see it somehow? If you have any advise, please let me know. My leopard gecko is two years old, I've had her for one, and I use paper towels as substrate. Thank you.

Let me hear how you guys manage to feed your leopard geckos! :) I could use some inspiration/tips.
 
Seth9999

Seth9999

New member
Did you try small bowel? Rainbow worms sell a small bowel with sort of lid. The lid is open in center, were she can eat threw middle. But Criders can't clime out. I use that sometimes. Think 50 cents piece.
 
GeckoFanboy

GeckoFanboy

Member
Geckos can be very finicky about the bugs you feed them. My late gecko of 17 years would not eat ANY worms at all, except waxworms (which have zero nutritional value - all fat). The only thing he'd eat regularly was crickets...and that was it.

So before you jump to conclusions, try feeding her some other bugs, and see how she reacts.

Female geckos do weird things when they are gravid...like not eating normally.

Also, if she's having trouble seeing...is her tank lit with a lamp? Is it too bright? Geckos aren't crazy about bright light if they can avoid it. If they are exposed to it long enough, it can affect their vision.

To be honest, my late male gecko of 17 years, would often do the same thing yours is doing. Ignore his food. In fact, if he couldn't catch it in the first two attempts, he'd give up and stop trying to catch and eat.

Lastly, try pulling the back legs off of the roach. It won't be able to move as fast.
 
Mozina

Mozina

New member
GeckoFanboy said:
Geckos can be very finicky...
Click to expand...

Don't worry my room has a very dim light when I feed her.

Your gecko sounds very stubborn :D but then again, if they get hungry enough they'll probably eat.

Thank you very much for your advice! I will try and feed her some crickets and see if it pleases her.
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
Mozina said:
Great idea! I will try a glass bowl. Thanks a lot!
Click to expand...

You're welcome. I found a slanted rock on the beach that leads right up to the lip of my leo's glass dish. Those Anchor bowls with straight sides are sold at Kitchen Kaboodle and other kitchen stores.

Sometimes I cut off the back legs of the crickets right below their "knees" to keep them in the bowl. They'll still be able to walk around. Dubia can't climb glass.
 
Mozina

Mozina

New member
I just fed her using a small glass bowl and it worked like a charm! I've never seen her eat so much at once. I feel so relieved. Thanks again :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top