Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I had heard one time that the feeding guide is based on the gecko's size/length (in inches). Example: A gecko that is 5 inches in size needs to be fed five appropriatly sized crickets or mealworms. So I guess it is one food item per inch. Anyone ever heard of such a thing? I am not thinking it is bad if the gecko who is 5 inches eats 7-8 crickets, but I just thought it was an interesting concept. Does anyone follow this? And should I? I have a female who is approx 6 1/2" in size she eats between 4-6 crickets per night, should I be feeding her more? Any comments would be appreciated.
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~Laura

Rejoice, the age of the fall has begun
We'll dance as the palaces burn.
--Lamb of God, As the Palaces Burn

I always feed mine however much they will eat. If they are all gone in a flash I add a few more. If there are some left I take them out.
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2.0 Leos (Spot - Normal but oh, so sexy; Jessie - hypotang)
3.2.4 Fattails (Henri, Suwannee, Valencio, Dixie, Isis, Zipper, Pheonix, Hissy, and Snickerdoodle)
0.0.1 redfoot tortoise (Sherman)
0.0.1 sulcatta tortoise (Tinacious aka Tiny)
1.1 Dogs (Zubin and Brenda)
0.1 cat (Mimi)

i feed mine in a 5 gal. bucket and give him about 6 or 7... then if the supply allows he will wat 10-12. oh large crickets and he is just over 70 grams....
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there are things known, there are things unknown. inbetween are the doors.
-jim morrison-
1.1.0 leopard geckos
0.0.2 crested geckos
0.1.0 cat

How many does she want to eat? I feed mine until she shows no more interest in the crickets.

Some nights I will put in 6 crickets and there will be two left in the morning. At her size (6 1/2" she should eat more than four right? Should I worry about her?
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~Laura

Rejoice, the age of the fall has begun
We'll dance as the palaces burn.
--Lamb of God, As the Palaces Burn

You shouldn't leave crickets in overnight. They can really irritate the leo. Just feed as much as she will eat. At this time of year, they seem to slow down a bit on how much they eat.

The reason I leave them in overnight is so that it is more natural to them to come out and hunt during the night. It seems unnatural to pull them out in daylight to have them eat. They are nocturnal, so it is more realistic for them to hunt during their time. I never have more than six crickets at a time, they all are pooping regularly, and still come out sometimes to wander in night light, therefore I don't think that leaving them in overnight is cause too much stress. Just my opinion, I am not looking to start anything, just my two cents.
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~Laura

Rejoice, the age of the fall has begun
We'll dance as the palaces burn.
--Lamb of God, As the Palaces Burn

Yeah, but the crix will bother the Leo. Crickets get really active because it is so warm in there. The Leo won't kill the crickets either. Crickets really can be a nuisance. I feed my Leo around 10 at night. If you really want to keep doing it that way, find an out of the way spot at the cool end and put some cricket food in there. Crickets will nibble at your Leo for food. They aren't shy about eating meat. I have seen some of the feeder crickets kill and eat the smaller/weaker ones.

At what time should I put the crickets in for her to eat? If I take her out and drop the crickets in she isn't interested and just goes back into one of her hides. Do you recommend taking the hides to "make" her hunt? That seems wrong to me because I wounldn't want to be force to go out and eat when someone "tells" me too. By taking out her hides, I would think that that would be more stressful because she would feel threatened by me being over her territory and there would be no retreat for her... I see your point about nibbling crix but I can't seem to find a halfway point, and would she try and eat the cricket food? If she did would it harm her? I know leos like to "taste" their enviroment, so I would think she might taste the cricket's food, but I don't want it to be harmful. I am sure wouldn't ingest much, but still, it would be a worry to me. Please let me know what you think and if you have any further info or comments I would gladly appreciate it. Thanks
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~Laura

Rejoice, the age of the fall has begun
We'll dance as the palaces burn.
--Lamb of God, As the Palaces Burn

If your going to use the theory "i wouldnt like it if...", just think about when you are handling them. Would you really like to be picked up by something 50x bigger than you? So yes, when your feeding them, get them out of their hide so they see the crickets and eat them right then insteading of them being in there all night irritating your gecko.

About the myth, that is totally incorrect. Feed your growing gecko however many crickets it will eat in a feeding, don't limit it if it is still growing. If it is an adult give them about 10 every other day. Don't worry if your gecko isn't eating a lot, as long as it isnt losing weight it is fine.