The Significance of Calcium

Many of the biological processes of the gecko, including the development of bones and the contraction of muscles, depend on the vital mineral calcium. Because they are unable to generate enough vitamin D3 on their own for calcium absorption, leopard geckos, like all reptiles, need higher amounts of calcium in their diet than mammals. Leopard geckos who do not receive enough calcium from their diets rapidly develop metabolic bone disease, a dangerous condition brought on by mineral deficiencies that can result in weak and deformed bones, paralysis, and even death if treatment is not received. For developing juvenile geckos to have healthy bone growth and for their bones to remain intact throughout adulthood and old age, it is essential to provide a diet rich in calcium.

Calcium Deficiency Symptoms

Leopard geckos exhibiting symptoms of calcium deficiency-related metabolic bone disease need to be given better nutrition and early veterinary care. Weakened bones and muscles, trouble walking or moving, a limp tail or limbs, lumps or edema along the spine or limbs, and convulsions are among the symptoms. The illness results in deformities, total paralysis, and death if treatment is delayed. Reversing advanced metabolic bone disease is a considerably riskier and less successful course of action than prevention with appropriate dietary calcium.

Top Sources of Calcium

Supplemental calcium and feeder insects high in calcium are the greatest calcium sources for leopard geckos. Before being fed outside, feeder insects such as dubia roaches, mealworms, crickets, and waxworms can have their guts stuffed with calcium-rich diets and nutritional powders. The calcium and nutrients inside the feeder bug are absorbed by the gecko as it breaks it down. Oranges, sweet potatoes, collard greens, and commercial gut loading formulae are common feeder insect stomach loading diets. Adding a small amount of pure calcium supplement to feeder insects right before feeding them to geckos also increases their consumption of calcium.

Calcium Supplement Guidelines and Powder

Leopard geckos have high calcium requirements, which can only be satisfied by pure calcium supplements in addition to feeder insects, especially during their early growth stages. The best supplement is calcium carbonate, which is given in the form of a powder that the gecko can eat by sticking it on feeder insects. For growing juveniles under one year old, calcium should be given every one to two feedings. For mature and elderly geckos, the frequency might decrease to two or three times each week. It is sufficient to lightly dust feeders so that the powder is visible but not overly packed on. The gecko shouldn’t have trouble swallowing or coughing while it is eating because of the calcium particles.

Extra Dietary Guidelines

Leopard geckos need calcium, but they also require a balanced diet that includes enough protein and fat, the right amount of phosphorus in relation to calcium, and the right amount of vitamin D3 for calcium absorption. It’s crucial to offer a range of gut-loaded feeder insects in addition to sporadic high-protein feeders like silkworms and hornworms. Nutritious meals of feeder insects also provide vital fatty acids for ailments of the skin and body. It’s also crucial to take a multivitamin supplement containing vitamin D3 1-2 times per week. A diet rich in calcium-rich feeder insects, together with vitamins and other necessary nutrients, will help maintain optimal bone health and stave against metabolic bone disease in leopard geckos.

In summary

For leopard geckos to maintain healthy overall bodies, strong bones, and proper neurological and muscular function, they must consume calcium in their diet. In the absence of appropriate calcium levels, geckos quickly suffer from a crippling metabolic bone disease that causes deformity and ultimately death. Leopard gecko owners can encourage excellent health and avoid expensive veterinary intervention by providing calcium-rich gut-loaded insects at every feeding, administering supplemental calcium supplements one to three times a week, and providing balanced other nutrients, such as vitamin D3. Leopard geckos are wonderful companion pets in captivity for 10–20 years, if they receive the greatest nutrition available. A lifetime relationship between a pet lizard and its owner is ensured by monitoring calcium intake and health. I sincerely hope you find this “Importance of Calcium in the Diet of Leopard Geckos” article helpful.

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Introduction to feeding pet Leopard geckos

Leopard geckos are considered entirely insectivorous^(32)(49)(50), meaning they mainly eat and digest insects as food. Popular feeder insects for healthy Leopard geckos include correctly sized crickets^(30)(32)(50) and mealworms^(30)(50). Popular feeding times are during the evenings, dusk and dawn. The diet of Leopard geckos needs to be supplemented with vitamins and minerals.

A variety of gut-loaded insect prey should be offered⁽³²⁾.

Various feeding related items for Leopard geckos and other lizards are commercially available from places like Amazon.com, pet shops, reptile retailers and other online shops.

What wild Leopard geckos eat

Living in harch, dry semi-arid areas of the world, wild Leopard geckos are known to be very adaptable. In nature, Leopard geckos are known to eat scorpions, centipedes, spiders, and beetles⁽⁷¹⁾.

Also see
Natural distribution of Leopard geckos

Feeder insects for pet Leopard geckos

Because of their quality, acceptability, size and availability, crickets and mealworms will often be the most commonly used feeder insects for Leopard geckos. It is important to offer a variety of insect sizes/ages and types. Commercially available insects should take preference over, more dangerous, wild-caught ones and it is preferable that they are obtained from trusted, reputable pet shops and/or insect farms.

Although some Leopard geckos will occasionally accept dead insects, feeder insects should be alive and fresh (i.e. gut-loaded). Commercial insects can either be obtained as needed or can be bred in large or small quantities at home. Some insects such as mealworms are easy to store for longer periods, but Leopard gecko keepers typically buy enough feeder insects to last for about a week.

Other good commercial feeder insects include walking insects such as Dubia roaches^(30)(50), small locusts/grasshoppers^(30)(50)(71) and springtails⁽⁷¹⁾ and crawling insects like waxworms^(30)(50)(71), Phoenix worms, silkworms⁽³⁰⁾ and Trevo worms. The occasional pinky or nestling mouse can also be offered to adult Leopard geckos^(30)(71).

Also see
Feeding crickets to Leopard geckos
Feeding mealworms to Leopard geckos
Feeding silkworms to Leopard geckos

Food sizes for Leopard geckos

Whatever feeder insects are used, they should also be the correct size for Leopard geckos. The average size of the insects that are being fed to Leopard geckos should not exceed the width of the Leopard gecko’s head. In other words, the length between the eyes of the Leopard gecko.

Feeder insects and pinky mice can often be ordered and bought according to their size. Although dependant on the type of insect, sizes are generally marked as (extra small), small, medium and large. Baby Leopard geckos will need small to medium-sized insects where adults will need larger sizes.

The number of insects that will be consumed per feeding will depend on the feeding frequency, type and size of insects, availability of ad-lib food, environmental factors such as average heating, and the age, size of the personal preference of the Leopard gecko. Depending on these factors, anything between one and around ten insects can be considered normal.

Walking insects such as crickets can be offered one-by-one, or a few at a time until the Leopard gecko has lost interest. Some keepers prefer leaving walking insects in the enclosure for up to an hour. Excess (non-eaten) insects should be removed. Free-roaming insects become ‘stale’, can spread diseases, cause stress and possibly cause injuries to sleeping Leopard geckos.

Also see
Tail injuries in Leopard geckos

Crawling insects such as mealworms can be offered ad libitum (always available) in a small shallow escape-proof dish. Although ‘crawlies’ should always be available, they must always be fresh. It is also a good idea to offer crawling insects in the same container as the powdered supplements are offered in (see below).

How often to feed Leopard geckos

The frequency of feeding depends on the age, reproductive status, body condition and health status of Leopard geckos.

It is generally accepted that baby and juvenile Leopard geckos should be fed every day until they are about 1 year of age. So should sick, pregnant females, debilitated and tailless Leopard geckos.

Depending on their body condition score, adult Leopard geckos can be fed every other day.

Supplementation for Leopard geckos

Probably the only disadvantage of feeding commercial feeder insects (vs. wild-caught insects) is that vitamin and mineral supplementation is required⁽⁵⁰⁾. For Leopard geckos, food supplementation is vital^(30)(32).

Because it is not always advisable to supply ultraviolet (UV) lighting to Leopard geckos^(30)(32), calcium and vitamin D₃ supplementation plays an important role in maintaining bone mass and overall health.

Lick supplementation is part of feeding Leopard geckos. In this image, a Leopard gecko is eating mealworms from a shallow dish also containing a powdered calcium/vitamin D₃ supplement. Image by Renier Delport

Feeder insects should be gut-loaded with an appropriate mineral/vitamin supplement and should be dusted two to three times a week with a calcium/vitamin D3 combination powder. An ad-lib supply of powdered calcium/vitamin D3 supplement as ‘lick’, should be supplied in a small shallow dish or lid for additional calcium needs.

Also see
Leopard gecko supplementation through gut-loading
Leopard gecko supplementation through food ‘dusting’
Supplying light to Leopard geckos

Where to feed

The best place to feed Leopard geckos is inside their enclosure — there where the temperature and lighting are more natural and preferable. To prevent accidental ingestion of particulate substrates, such as sand and gravel, food can be offered in shallow containers, on a feeding platform or, if it is tolerated, by hand.

It’s feeding time!

Being crepuscular^(50)(51)(59) to nocturnal^(49)(69) and cathemeral, Leopard geckos will mostly come out to feed during dusk, dawn and the evenings. This makes early mornings and the evenings the best time to offer food to Leopard geckos.

Conclusion

Correct feeding will ensure that Leopard geckos grow strong and healthy. When using the correct food and principles, feeding Leopard geckos becomes less of a chore and more of a pleasure.

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This article is tagged to be informative to veterinarians too. The information is not a substitute for advice from a veterinarian.

This Leopard gecko feeding behaviour post will give you a little more information on what to expect, what is normal and what you should worry about when it comes to feeding times.

Introduction to Leopard gecko eating behaviour

Leopard geckos are insect-eating or insectivorous lizards. In nature, they eat a variety of live foods including, insects, spiders, worms and a variety of small mammals. They are also nocturnal, meaning they spend most of their active time at night.

To stimulate normal Leopard gecko feeding behaviour, this is what keepers should aim for – feeding live insects, mainly at night. Leopard geckos are also considered hunters, which prey on moving or wiggling foodstuffs.

Baby and adult Leopard geckos might have different eating habits. Babies are often very cautions when it comes to living food items, but soon start to catch up after days or weeks not to disappoint their juvenile and adult counterparts. Although it is not always expected to eat a lot, baby Leopard geckos should at least always be interested in moving insects.

Newly acquired Leopard geckos might also be shy when it comes to eating in front of an audience. Remember that everything might be a bit overwhelming, so give new geckos some privacy during the adaption stages. Also make sure that there is adequate hiding areas for shy Leopard geckos.

In the correct setup, healthy Leopard geckos should eat quite frequently, at least every day. Note that normal shedding can sometimes cause a significant disruption in feeding patterns.

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