Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My crestie loves mealworms....Is this a good staple diet...i could ad some fruit on the side like babyfood??

Thanks....

I am no expert, but I really would not suggest mealworms as a sole staple diet. Mealworms have a high content of phosphorous (Phosphorous binds calcium) and are very high in fat. The hard chitin shell is also very tough and hard to digest for some lizards. From everything I have read, I think crested gecko diet and some crickets (dusted and gutloaded) are the best way to go. Like I said, I am no expert; I just love the little guys. My crestie seems to be happy and growing strong on crickets and cgd.

Good Luck
Bryan

there is alot of information supporting the use of crickets that have been gutloaded as opposed to mealworms, wax worms, and silk worms. these larval stages are high in fats, and are lacking in many specific nutrients. crickets are easy to gutload, attract attention from the cresteds, and are generally better choice than mealworms. however a "staple" diet of any one inset should be varied to allow access to a variety of nutrients. thankfully with Crested gecko diet all of that variation is available with out the fuss of live prey. if you are truely concerned about feeding your lizards to the best lvl of nutrition, CGD is an excelent way to go, other wise offering a variety of gutloaded insects works well too. i mostly use CGD and crickets.

The awsome thing about these lizards for starter pets is they are very hardy animals and thrive under a variety of situations. find a balance that works for you and the animal, and be happy.

Andrew Ellis

N/p