Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does a leo absolutely need to have crickets as a part of their diet? I have no problem with keeping or feeding crickets if they do need them but if they do not then I don't want to have to mess with them. I have looked at some websites but can't find a definite answer. Also, does anyone know, if you put a green anole in the cage with a leo would the leo kill or eat the anole. Before anyone yells and tells me not to do this I am not planning on doing this. I have both but just wanted to know purely out of curiosity. I know you aren't supposed to mix species and would never do that to my anole. I would think the leo would kill it but I don't know. Just curious to see what you thought. Thanks for reading.

No. They are not an absolute necessity. They are messy, loud, stinky, and replaceable.

Worms and roaches are another alternative.

My leos weren't fond of roaches, but some people swear by them. I tried lobster and hissers. What I hated about them was that they climb! So I had to smear a coat of vaseline around the top of the tanks, so they'd stay in. Some people crush their heads to keep them in place.

What I love and decided to keep were worms. All kinds! Silkworms and butterworms are more nutritious than crickets, and a breeze to keep. The mulberry chow that silkies eat is available pre-made, but if you choose to make your own all you need is water and a microwave. The powder keeps forever in your fridge. They are more expensive than crickets, but I am willing to pay for avoiding the hassle of dealing with crickets.

I still get them crickets occasionally, but it is far easier to go to Petco, buy 10, 20 or so, and get rid of them in two days.

Some people feed their leos pinkies. Mine smelled them and walked away.

Waxies and mealworms ared another alternative. And they'll grow for you in a few months too, cutting down expenses when you start breeding them, if you choose to do that. You'll still have to pick out dead ones. Waxies are particularly stinky when they die.

And then there's other worms and goodies that people do not normally talk about in boards. I guess a group makes the main suggestions and everyone sort of follows along, but browse fishing supplies websites and see if you want to try anything else...
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Thanks for the quick response. I am currently feeding my leo crickets but I don't like touching the large ones so my bf has to feed them to him, which he doesn't mind. Although it'd be a lot easier not having to keep them. Plus my leo doesn't seem to like them all that much anyway. A lot of them he just crushes in his mouth and drops them and never eats them which then I must clean them out of the cage. He does however love the mealworms we give him and we ordered some silkworms. My anole also loves these as well. I just didn't want to stop feeding the crickets if they needed them for any kind of nutrients or anything. Thanks a lot.

I'm a big fan of mealworms. I use them as a staple as do some pretty well knowned breeders and other herpers. I breed them so that I don't have to buy them every so often as they can get expensive if you have alot of leos. There's a link in my sig that gives you the details on how to breed them. Most of the time they do best when just left alone though.
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Katie F.
Peach State Geckos
Breeding Mealworms
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"A herper's life is never dull" - ME