The Leopard Gecko Diet: What Do Leopard Geckos Eat?

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Eternally smiling and adorable, leopard geckos have quickly become one of the most popular reptile pets. The leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) is often recommended as the best low-maintenance pet for both beginner reptile enthusiasts and expert herpetologists alike. One of the first questions people interested in this handsome spotted lizard ask is: What do leopard geckos eat?

Whether you want to own a leopard gecko or you’re just curious about what these little lizards eat in the wild, we’ve got you covered. Let’s take a detailed look at the average leopard gecko’s diet in both their native habitat and in captivity.

What Do Wild Leopard Geckos Eat?

Of course, leopard geckos didn’t just spring up in homes all over the world overnight. They are native to dry and semi-dry deserts and dry, rocky grasslands in Iran, Afghanistan, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. Because they are opportunistic predators, they will eat just about any insect or small invertebrate that crosses their path. Leopard geckos are primarily insectivores, so they will generally only eat small-to-medium-sized insects and other invertebrates. In rare cases, they will also eat small rodents , other lizards, spiders, or scorpions.

Additionally, they will only pursue live, moving prey. This means they generally won’t eat anything that’s already dead or that won’t put up a fight. Despite these rather picky preferences, they still manage to find a wide variety of prey in the wild, including:

• Crickets
• Locusts
• Centipedes
• Beetles
• Grasshoppers
• Flies and fly larvae
• Roaches
• Snails
• Scorpions
• Smaller lizards
• Spiders
• Mice and other very small rodents

How Do Wild Leopard Geckos Hunt Their Prey?

As mentioned above, leopard geckos are opportunistic predators. They will pounce on just about any insect or invertebrate that wanders too close. In general, they are either crepuscular or nocturnal hunters. Crepuscular geckos are mostly active around the hours of dawn and dusk, while nocturnal geckos are mostly active at night once the sun has set.

Fortunately, leopard geckos have great vision, especially night vision. This adaptation helps them sneak up on their prey in low light. Additionally, they are ambush predators, so the way they hunt is straightforward and uncomplicated.

A leopard gecko looking for a meal will usually hide behind or around rocks or bushes, waiting for an insect or other invertebrate to cross their path. They wiggle their tails as a distraction before quickly leaping at their prey. They use their uniquely sticky tongues to snatch up their unfortunate meals in the blink of an eye.

What Do Pet Leopard Geckos Eat?

Beginning in the 1960s and continuing through the 1970s, reptile breeders began capturing and transporting leopard geckos from their native habitats to breed and sell them as pets. They quickly became popular pets amongst reptile experts and novices due to their simple care requirements and friendly, docile personalities.

The ideal diet of a pet leopard gecko is very similar to that of its wild cousins. As insectivores, they eat a wide range of feeder insects that are bred and raised in careful conditions to prevent the spread of parasites and illnesses. This is one of the reasons why captive geckos tend to live longer than those in the wild, as their food sources are much healthier. Captive geckos also benefit from protection from predators, regular veterinary care, and a stable environment.

There are many nutritious feeder insects on the market to choose from, such as:

• Mealworms
• Superworms
• Dubia roaches
• Crickets
• Waxworms
• Hornworms
• Butterworms
• Phoenix worms (also known as black soldier fly larvae or NutriGrubs)

Leopard geckos should never be fed plant matter, including fruits and vegetables. They have short, alkaline digestive tracts designed to break down insects, but their digestive systems are not equipped to process plant material. If eaten, undigested fruits or vegetables can cause impaction, a painful blockage of the digestive tract.

How to Feed a Pet Leopard Gecko

Feeding a pet leopard gecko is both simple and incredibly interesting to observe firsthand. They tend to hunt the same way as their wild counterparts: they ambush their prey after stalking it from a distance or simply wait for the insect to get too close.

When feeding a leopard gecko, it’s best to offer them as many insects as they will eat within a 5 to 10-minute period. Additionally, to prevent choking or impaction, always opt for insects that are smaller than the width of the space between the gecko’s eyes. Variety is key, as your gecko will quickly tire of eating the same thing each day. Juvenile geckos should be fed daily , and adults should be fed roughly every other day.

Most reptile owners simply drop the feeder insects into their gecko’s enclosure or food dish one by one, allowing the gecko to snatch them up at their leisure. There are also feeding tongs available on the market if your gecko is especially picky or you have a senior gecko that needs a bit more help. Hand-feeding is also an option, but it can discourage your gecko’s natural hunting behaviors and may lead to reduced activity over time.

Do Leopard Geckos Need Vitamin Supplements?

A captive leopard gecko’s diet must have a calcium supplement provided regularly, and a vitamin D3 supplement added as needed, particularly if the gecko does not have access to UVB lighting. Without enough calcium and vitamin D3 in their diet, leopard geckos in captivity are prone to malnutrition and metabolic bone disease. You can purchase these supplements in the reptile section of your local pet store. Lightly dust your feeder insects with the supplements immediately before feeding per the instructions on the packaging.

Experts also recommend gut-loading feeder insects with vitamins and minerals. Feeder insects should be given a variety of healthy foods, such as leafy greens, vegetables, and commercial gut-loading diets, 24 to 48 hours before being fed to your gecko.

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