Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all,
I'm new to this forum, and new to leopard geckos as well! I'm going to be getting two female leopard geckos (about two years old) in a couple weeks and I'm trying to make sure I have everything set up and ready for them...

I have one major question: Is it absolutely necessary to feed them LIVE insects every couple days???
I will definitely do this if it is a must to keep my little ones healthy, but I was wondering if anyone out there has tried anything else??

I've noticed that you can buy freeze-dried crickets (if they'll eat them) will they provide the same nutrition as a live one? Also, roasted mealworms (can o'worms, and others) would those work as well? (Still providing that the geckos will eat it)
I know I would still need to dust with calcium supplement...but I was wondering what all your opinions are on this...

I'm just worried that trying to keep,breed,and even prepare live crickets every other day is going to be a big hassle (like I said I will do it if it is necessary...) That's why I'm checking with all of you first!

Also, if that kind of diet is okay what do you recommend for the vitamin supplement??? (Nature Zone's Gecko Bites look like they would make a good supplement/food source...) Anyone have any opinions???

One last thing, if live crickets and mealworms are a must...how do most of you order/keep/care for/feed/breed etc...?? Any tricks to cricket wrangling?? lol

Okay sorry this is so long! Like I said I'm totally new to this, and ANY opinions would be more than welcome! Thanks guys!

Well...geckos are cued to eat by movement, and most will not take a dead bug from your hand unless they have been trained to snap at it by first offering them live insects...and if you just aqquired geckos, they will not even want to be near your hand, let alone eat from it.

Freeze dried bugs don't have the complete nutriotion of live ones...you can keep a gecko alive on them, but it's kinda like making a person live off tree bark. Edible, but not very tasty or nutricious.

Now here's the good news: You don't need crickets. Most geckos like mealworms, and they can be a staple diet provided they are properly gut-loaded. They are easy to keep and breed, I keep mine in a big plastic bin filled with oatmeal, cereal, chick mash, and bits of carrots and apple for moisture...the grubs turn into beetles that lay eggs..best of all the bugs don't fly so you don't even need a lid if the sides are smooth. Dust them with calcium and your leos will love them. Crickets are harder to keep and a lot smellier...and the males chirp...not fun during night.

Geckos can eat their mealworms out of a bowl, so they won't crawl all over the cage to.^^

Thanks for the reply and info!!! I would much rather feed them live mealworms than crickets!!!

Sounds much easier!
Thanks again!!