feeders
Geckos need to eat something, and most are carnivorous, they eat insects:
Crickets (the original staple diet)
Mealworms (AKA mealies, the current most popular)
Roaches (Dubia Roaches being the most popular)
Waxworms and Pinkies (a treat, high in fat)
Crickets are of course loud and can jump/escape. These used to be the most common and the only thing that was used. But people started using mealies a while ago which are much easier to breed, quieter, and more nutritious. A couple of the larger distributors of mealworms had a bad batch, and all of their mealies were destroyed. Thus creating a worldwide shortage of them. Now people are getting into Dubia Roaches (like me) which are just as easy (if not easier) to breed and more nutritious than mealworms. But, they cost just under each. Wax worms and pinkys (mice) are used to beef up females giving birth, or just non-eating Leos. Also they can be used as a once a month treat. But don't feed too many because they are addicting, and have no nutritional value.
Crickets are the noisiest smelliest, but most popular insect that are fed to Leos. They are cheaper due to their high population. The best place to get crickets is Crickets Online.
Mealies are the larval form of the mealworm beetle (a species of darkling beetles). They have four stages of life: Egg, larva, pupa, and beetle. The cheapest place to buy mealies is NY Worms. They sell 1000 mini mealies for $18 shipped.
Dubias are the most expensive and the most nutritious. They are also very easy to breed. I personally breed them and they are NO problem at all. The best place for dubias is The Roach Guy.
Waxworms and pinkies are more of a treat then a food. They are high in fat and low in nutrition. They are used once a month, or when the geckos are on a food strike and won't eat. They are also used when females are giving birth. You can get wax worms here and pinkies here.
Top
