Congratulations on finishing this crash course in leopard gecko diet and nutrition! ... Leopard gecko's need a warm hide to remain healthy. Leopard geckos tend to squirm a lot when picking them up in ways that they shouldn’t be picked up, so because of that, their tails could easily detach while being mishandled. This site does not constitute pet medical advice, please consult a licensed veterinarian in your area for pet medical advice. This is important to make sure that your leopard gecko isn’t gaining too much weight AND to make sure that it isn’t losing too much weight if it goes on a hunger strike. Breeding is relatively easy, but if your female is too young, complications may develop and you can shorten your gecko’s lifespan. I used to always stress about whether my leopard gecko was too skinny or unhealthy which would lead to sleepless nights. This should be a temporary dietary addition only. Not only are dropped tails or tail injuries in general tragic for a leopard gecko to go through, but it also takes a lot of effort from the owner to keep these types of injuries clean and sterile while they’re in the process of growing in their new one.eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'reptilejam_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_7',112,'0','0'])); You would need to remove and clean out everything in your tank, change your substrate, and consistently manage their injury until their tail starts to grow back. Avoid handling your new pet for the first week, or until it’s eating consistently. If their tails ever happen to get injured, then it’s best to treat them immediately so that they don’t potentially end up falling off. ⭐️ Fun Fact: Did you know, female leopard geckos lay just 1 to 2 eggs per clutch? Variety of insect types, and gut-loading the insects prior to offering them to your leopard gecko will ensure a nutritionally complete diet. However, just like in humans and any other animal species, obesity is a severe health problem and can drastically shorten your pet’s lifespan. Monitor your leopard gecko’s weight closely with a kitchen or postal scale that weighs in grams. Make sure the dish is shallow, so that your gecko can drink from it easily, and there is no chance of it drowning if it managed to climb into it. They may show interest in these kinds of foods, but they likely offer NO nutritional value to your pet. Just think about it, would you rather gain weight fast by eating cake, pizza, and ice cream every day and have complications in the future or would you rather eat healthier foods and gain it over time? If your leopard gecko’s tail is thicker than its neck or has bubbles of fat and tissue behind its arms, it is overweight. A leopard geckos tail is arguably one of the cutest parts of their body but because they’re so chunky, it often leads owners to wonder why they are. If you find your leopard gecko to be overweight, you’ll need to cut back on the number of insects offered and the feeding frequency to help it lose weight. The breeding season for leopard geckos usually starts around January and lasts up until June or July. You are going to want to wait for your leopard gecko to reach at least one year in age before you consider breeding. However, it’s important to note that crickets and some types of roaches and beetles will easily escape any kind of feeding dish. These days, there is a vast array of feeder insects available. Baby leopard geckos need to eat EVERY day, and even adult leopard geckos need to eat several times a week. Having these things stored allows them to go long periods of time without eating by taking what they need to survive out of their tails.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'reptilejam_com-box-3','ezslot_1',107,'0','0'])); Leopard geckos who are captively kept don’t have to worry about running out of food, but because they are animals that come from environments where food can sometimes be scarce, being able to take what they need from their tails is very critical for their survival. They very quickly adjust to being handled and are easy-to-care for any first-time owner! Raw meat can carry dangerous bacteria, and cooking meat destroys its nutritional value. Feeding them a variety will be a much slower way to get them to gain weight, but it pays off in the long run and will ensure that they’re staying healthy. You can still offer calcium freely in a dish, but you may find that you’ll need to refill it less often. While in captivity, their tails should be used as more of an indication of how healthy they are instead of being used to supplement themselves because they’re not getting the right amount of food or water. While it’s true that leopard geckos can go quite some time without food because of their ability to get what’s needed from their tail, it’s not recommended that any owner stop feeding them as doing so would be harsh and detrimental to their leopard gecko’s health. In order to protect it, you’ll want to do a few things. While it may seem easy, it can be quite taxing when you have to do it every day just to make sure that it doesn’t get infected from the bacteria lying all throughout the tank. This is why it’s important be well educated on ALL your leopard gecko substrate options. Rest assured, food strikes are prevalent in just about every reptile species and, thanks to their slow metabolisms, usually only require a little bit of time and patience. If you notice rapid or sudden weight loss in your gecko, take him or her to a vet as soon as possible, as it can be a warning sign. As a rule of thumb, don’t feed your leopard gecko any insects that are bigger than the space between their eyes. Proper diet is probably the main secret to keeping your pet leopard gecko happy and healthy. A small drop in temperature at night is acceptable, and will generally occur anyway as the ambient temperature in your home falls. But if it’s more than that, your leopard gecko is probably be fat. Leopard geckos prefer to hide in warm shelters during the daytime, using their warmth to “charge” themselves for nighttime activity. You don’t need to worry about fruit, meat, vegetables, or grain – just ditch that whole food pyramid idea. After your leopard gecko reaches twelve months of age, your BIGGEST concern will be preventing it from becoming overweight or obese. The leopard gecko has a tail that can detach if the animal is caught by a predator. That said, there are two things that can be done to prevent either of these things from happening. of the following: Treat insects have a high amount of fat. So because of that, it’s best that we’re making sure nothing happens to them so that they don’t potentially lose it and have to live the rest of their lives without a full and chunky tail. This bacteria can come from feces, urates, and even from dead insects that are hidden in hard-to-reach places within the tank. Do you really want to go to the pet store that often? You have and a number of different factors, however this is a good guide. Hopefully, you went with the latter. It also increases the likelihood that your leopard gecko is getting all its required vitamins and micronutrients. So in situations like these where they actually need to use their tails for nutrition, it’s okay. For the answer to the question though, please read on. Ever since I was a child, I’ve always had this deep passion and interest for reptiles that eventually led me to become the proud owner of multiple snakes, lizards, frogs, and turtles. Depending on the insect species, you can care for them and keep them alive for up to several months before you feed them to your leo. Keep their food moist. The ideal calcium to phosphorus (AKA Ca:P) ratio is 2:1. Fresh, clean water should always be available to your pet gecko in a spill-proof, shallow bowl to prevent drowning. This means that they eat bugs. A healthy adult leopard gecko will have a tail that, at the thickest point, is as wide as its neck. When confronted by a predator or if attacked, the leopard gecko will drop their tail to give them enough of a distraction to escape. Leopard geckos don’t drop their tails easily but when they’re pushed past their breaking point or put into a dangerous situation where another animal has bitten it off, it can take a huge hit to their health and because of that, they’ll likely require a little more care than they would have needed had they not dropped it. Some particularly gluttonous leopard geckos will feast on calcium powder out of boredom or just to fill their tummy. Have a vent (an opening … In this case, it’s best to get your pet to an experienced reptile veterinarian as quickly as possible. Pair that perfect diet with ideal habitat, and you and your little leo can enjoy many happy years together. Consider the following 7 reasons below. Unlike many other lizards, which may require varied diets from different food groups and unique food preparation techniques, the menu of a pet leopard gecko is relatively straightforward: live insects and vitamins. Remove any causes of stress. Get as close as possible to this size without going over. I usually feed her every other day with 1-4 medium/large sized mealworms, though lately I've been cutting down to 2 mealworms. Below you’ll find easy-to-follow instructions on how to care for the 9 most common feeder insects your leopard gecko can enjoy. The leopard gecko is a common variety that is found in pet stores. And for leopard geckos between 6 – 12 months old, feeding should be done every other day. You see, commercial vitamin supplements help to bridge this dietary gap. Many people have noticed that their African fat-tailed geckos shed their tails … If your leopard gecko seems hesitant to eat from a bowl, you can try fasting him or her for a few days and using a clear container with extra-wriggly insects to stimulate its hunting and feeding response. Rest assured, if your leopard gecko is not eating… there’s a reason! 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