Key Takeaway:
- Tokay geckos are primarily insectivores, and crickets, mealworms, waxworms, super worms, and roaches are some of the go-to insects for them.
- Fireflies, ladybugs, and butterflies should be avoided as they can be toxic.
- In the wild, tokay geckos eat insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, and moths, but commercially raised insects are recommended for captive geckos to avoid diseases or parasites.
- There are three common methods to feed insects to your tokay gecko: dusting, gut loading, and blending, which provide additional nutrients to their diet.
- The frequency and feeding methods depend on the age and size of your gecko, and baby geckos require more frequent feedings than adult ones.
- A varied and balanced diet of safe and nutritious insects is essential for the overall health of your tokay gecko.
Hey there, fellow reptile lovers! Today we’re talking about the best insects to feed your tokay geckos.
It’s important to give your little buddies a varied and balanced diet, but not all insects are equal in their nutritious value.
So, let’s dive into what insects your tokay gecko can eat in captivity and in the wild, as well as how to feed them to your gecko.
What Insects Can Tokay Geckos Eat in Captivity?
In captivity, tokay geckos can eat a wide variety of insects. Some popular options include crickets, mealworms, waxworms, calci worms, super worms, and roaches.
These insects are rich in protein and other essential nutrients that help keep tokay geckos healthy.
However, it’s important to note that not all insects are safe for tokay geckos to eat.
Some insects, such as fireflies, ladybugs, and butterflies, can be toxic and should be avoided.
It’s important to do your research and only offer safe, nutritious insects to your tokay gecko.
What Insects Do Tokay Geckos Eat in The Wild?
In the wild, tokay geckos have a similarly varied diet. According to FeedingNature , a website dedicated to educating people about pet nutrition, tokay geckos in the wild feed primarily on insects.
They will also eat other small animals, such as lizards, frogs, and mice, when the opportunity arises.
Some insects that tokay geckos eat in the wild include crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, and moths.
It’s worth noting that wild-caught insects can pose a risk to captive tokay geckos.
Insects that are caught in the wild may carry parasites or diseases that can be harmful to captive reptiles.
For this reason, it’s generally recommended to feed captive tokay geckos commercially raised insects.
3 Ways to Feed Your Tokay Gecko Insects
When it comes to feeding insects to your tokay gecko, there are a number of ways to ensure that they receive all of the necessary nutrients.
Dusting, gut loading, and blending are three common methods for feeding insects to your tokay gecko.
Dusting
Dusting is the process of coating feeder insects with a powdered supplement prior to feeding them to a tokay gecko.
The supplement can comprise calcium, vitamins, and minerals. This is a standard method of boosting your gecko’s diet with essential nutrients.
The supplement may be obtained at a pet store or online.
Dusting is especially crucial for young, growing geckos that require more calcium to establish strong bones.
Gut Loading
Gut loading is the process of providing nutritious food to insects prior to feeding them to a tokay gecko.
This guarantees that your gecko receives the maximum nutritional value from its meal.
This method entails feeding the insects a high-calcium, vitamin, and mineral-rich diet for a period of time prior to feeding them to your gecko.
Fresh vegetables, fruits, and specially formulated gut-loading diets are frequent items used to load the intestines.
Blending
Blending is pulverizing feeder insects with a nutrient-rich supplement in a blender to form a paste.
This strategy ensures that your gecko receives all the nutrients it needs in a way that is convenient and easily digestible.
Blending can be particularly beneficial for geckos that have difficulty eating entire insects or have a penchant for particular bug species.
It’s important to note that while these methods are useful for providing extra nutrients to your gecko, they are not a replacement for a balanced and varied diet.
Feeding your gecko a variety of safe and nutritious insects is essential for their health.
How To Feed Insects to Your Tokay Gecko
Knowing how to feed insects to your tokay gecko properly is essential for their overall health and well-being.
Different stages of life require different feeding methods and frequencies, so it’s important to understand how to feed insects to your gecko based on their age and size.
Baby
Baby tokay geckos require more frequent feedings than older geckos, as they are growing and developing rapidly.
For the first few weeks of life, you should feed your baby gecko small, soft-bodied insects, such as fruit flies or pinhead crickets, 2-3 times a day.
As your baby gecko grows, you can gradually increase the size of the insects.
Juvenile
Juvenile tokay geckos can be fed slightly larger insects than baby geckos, such as small crickets, waxworms, or mealworms.
They should be fed every other day, with insects dusted or gut-loaded for optimal nutrition.
It’s important to monitor their growth and adjust the size of the insects accordingly.
Adult
Adult tokay geckos can be fed a variety of insects, including crickets, mealworms, super worms, and waxworms, as well as small mice or pinkie rats.
Adult geckos should be fed every 2-3 days, with insects dusted or gut loaded as necessary.
How Many Times Should You Feed Insects to Your Tokay Gecko?
The frequency of feeding depends on the age and size of your tokay gecko.
As mentioned earlier, baby geckos need to be fed more frequently, while adults can go longer between feedings.
Should You Feed Insects to Baby and Juvenile Tokay Geckos?
Yes, feeding insects to both baby and juvenile tokay geckos is important, as they need a protein-rich diet to support their growth and development.
However, the size and type of insects should be appropriate for their age and size.
How Big Should the Insects Be When Fed to Your Tokay Gecko?
The size of insects should be appropriate for your tokay gecko’s age and size. Insects should not be bigger than the size between the eyes of a tokay gecko.
For baby geckos, small, soft-bodied insects are appropriate. Juvenile geckos can be fed slightly larger insects, such as small crickets or mealworms.
Adult geckos can eat larger insects.
Five Insects Tokay Geckos Need to Avoid
While there are many insects that tokay geckos can safely eat, there are a few that are best avoided.
Some insects may not be nutritionally suitable for your gecko or pose a health risk. Here are five insects that tokay geckos should avoid:
Fireflies
They contain a chemical called lucibufagins, which can be toxic to tokay geckos if ingested. These insects should be avoided at all costs.
Ladybugs
While ladybugs may be visually appealing, they secrete a toxin called hemolymph that can be harmful to tokay geckos. Avoid feeding your gecko ladybugs.
Monarch Butterflies
Monarch butterflies are known to be toxic to many animals, including tokay geckos. Avoid feeding monarch butterflies or any insects that resemble them.
Spiders
It is not recommended to feed spiders to captive Tokay geckos. This is because spiders can carry parasites or toxins that can be harmful to the geckos.
In addition, some spiders have sharp and potentially harmful fangs that can injure the geckos while they try to eat them.
Ants
While tokay geckos are known to eat ants in the wild, they should be generally avoided.
Ants can contain toxic elements that can harm your pet tokay gecko, plus they are also known to bite as well and thus should be avoided.
It’s important to remember that there may be other insects that should be avoided based on your specific gecko’s health and dietary needs.
Always research and consult with a veterinarian if you are unsure which insects are safe for your tokay gecko to consume.
FAQ’s
Can Tokay Geckos Eat Cockroaches?
Yes, tokay geckos can eat cockroaches because cockroaches make a great food source for geckos.
However, make sure to feed your gecko appropriately sized cockroaches and avoid feeding wild-caught cockroaches that may have been exposed to pesticides.
Can Tokay Geckos Eat Dragonflies?
No, it is not recommended to feed your tokay gecko dragonflies because dragonflies are not a suitable food source for geckos because they can carry parasites and may be difficult for geckos to catch and consume.
Can Tokay Geckos Eat Earthworms?
Yes, earthworms can be an occasional good addition to your tokay gecko’s diet because they are high in protein and low in fat, making them a healthy choice.
Can Tokay Geckos Eat Earwigs?
Yes, you can feed your pet geckos earwigs because they are highly nutritious due to their high protein content.
Can Tokay Geckos Eat Grasshoppers?
Yes, grasshoppers are a good food source for tokay geckos. They are high in nutrition and easy to digest.
However, make sure to avoid feeding your gecko grasshoppers caught in the wild, as they may have been exposed to pesticides or other harmful substances.
Can Tokay Geckos Eat Hornworms?
Yes, hornworms are an excellent food source for tokay geckos because they are rich in nutrients and especially water, which will hydrate your gecko.
However, make sure to avoid feeding your gecko hornworms that are too large, as they can be difficult to digest.
Can Tokay Geckos Eat Isopods or Pill Bugs?
Yes, isopods or pill bugs can be an occasional supplement to your tokay gecko’s diet because these crustaceans contain calcium-rich exoskeleton, which is essential for maintaining the health of your geckos.
Can Tokay Geckos Eat Japanese Beetles?
No, feeding Japanese beetles to your tokay gecko is not generally recommended.
Although Japanese beetles are not harmful to the majority of geckos and are safe for them to consume; their chitin exoskeleton and strong mandibles may cause injury to your pet gecko, especially smaller ones, when consumed.
Can Tokay Geckos Eat Nightcrawlers?
No, it is not recommended to feed your tokay gecko nightcrawlers because they may often be too large for geckos to consume and can be difficult to digest, which can lead to impaction and other health issues.
Can Tokay Geckos Eat Super worms?
Yes, super worms can be an occasional good addition to your tokay gecko’s diet.
Because they constitute a part of the geckos’ diet and are nutritious, make sure to avoid feeding your gecko super worms that are too large, as they can be difficult to digest.
Can Tokay Geckos Eat Butter worms?
Yes, butter worms can be an occasional excellent addition to your tokay gecko’s diet because they constitute part of the gecko’s natural diet.
However, make sure to avoid feeding your gecko too many butter worms, as they are also high in calcium and may lead to hypercalcemia if fed in excess.
Summary
Tokay geckos can consume a variety of insects in captivity, including crickets, mealworms, waxworms, and roaches.
These insects are commonly accessible in pet stores and online, and they provide Tokay geckos with protein and other vital elements.
Importantly, you should never feed your Tokay gecko wild-caught insects since they may have diseases or parasites that are hazardous to your pet.
In the wild, Tokay geckos consume a variety of insects, such as crickets, grasshoppers, and beetles.
They also devour small vertebrates like lizards and mice. The majority of their diet consists of insects, and they are known to be opportunistic feeders, consuming whatever prey is available.
When feeding insects to your Tokay gecko, there are numerous ways to guarantee they are getting the right nutrition.
One option is to sprinkle the insects with a calcium supplement.
Another option is to gut-load the insects by feeding them nutrient-rich foods, which can boost their nutritional value.
You may even combine the insects into a paste to make it easier for your Tokay gecko to ingest.
When feeding your Tokay gecko insects, it is essential to consider their age and size. Baby and juvenile geckos require smaller insects.
However, adult geckos can consume larger prey. In addition to feeding your gecko according to its appetite and activity level, you should avoid overfeeding it.
In conclusion, Insects are a crucial component of the Tokay gecko’s diet.
You can assure your pet’s health and happiness by supplying them with a range of nutrient-rich insects and using suitable feeding methods.
