Key Takeaway:
- Dubia roaches form a good enrichment food for baby and adult gargoyle geckos.
- Dubia roaches have a low Ca/P ratio of 0.66.
- Dubia roaches can be fed 2 to 3 times a week to gargoyle geckos.
Gargoyle geckos are omnivorous reptiles. Their natural diet consists of a mix of fruits, seeds, and insects.
So, an obvious question does arise: Can gargoyle geckos eat dubia roaches? The answer is yes. You can feed dubia roaches to your pet gargoyle gecko. However, for gargoyle geckos kept in captivity, feeding insects should be done with due caution.
In this article, we will check in detail how you can feed dubia roaches to your pet gargoyle gecko in safe quantities and ways.
Can Gargoyle Geckos Eat Dubia Roaches?
Yes, Gargoyle Geckos can eat Dubia roaches. Dubia roaches are considered to be one of the excellent feeder insects for geckos, including Gargoyle Geckos.
They are nutritious, easy to digest, and have a good calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, which is essential for the health of your gecko.
Dubia roaches provide a great source of protein and should be appropriately sized for your gecko to consume easily.
It’s important to ensure that the size of the roaches matches the size of your gecko’s mouth, particularly for baby and juvenile Gargoyle Geckos.
Remember to supplement the Dubia roaches with calcium powder before offering them to your gecko, as this helps maintain proper calcium levels in their diet.
As always, it’s beneficial to provide a varied diet for your Gargoyle Gecko, incorporating other feeder insects, fruits, and occasional treats such as waxworms or silkworms to promote a balanced and nutritious diet.
Keep in mind the size, age, and specific dietary needs of your gecko when selecting feeder insects, and consult with a reptile veterinarian if you have any concerns or questions.
Should You Feed Dubia Roaches to Gargoyle Geckos?
Yes, feeding Dubia roaches to Gargoyle Geckos is generally recommended. Dubia roaches are considered to be a nutritious and suitable feeder insect for Gargoyle Geckos.
They provide a balanced source of protein, are easy to digest, and have a good calcium-to-phosphorus ratio.
When offering Dubia roaches to your Gargoyle Gecko, make sure the size of the roaches is appropriate for your gecko’s age and mouth size.
You want to avoid offering roaches that are too large, especially for younger geckos, as it may cause difficulties in swallowing or digestion.
Nutritional Value of Dubia Roaches
| Moisture, % | 61 |
| Fat, % | 7 |
| Protein, % | 36 |
| Fiber, % | – |
| Ash | 2 |
| Ca, mg/kg | 560 |
| CA/P ratio % | 0.66 |
In order to understand how beneficial dubia roaches are for gargoyle geckos, we must compare the nutritional requirements of those reptiles with the nutritional values present in dubia roaches.
- Moisture: Gargoyle geckos require foods with moisture content between 60% and 80%. Dubia roaches have just enough moisture based on gargoyle geckos’ requirements.
- Fat: Gargoyle geckos require foods with fat content between 10% and 20%. Dubia roaches are low in fats based on gargoyle geckos’ requirements.
- Protein: Gargoyle geckos require foods with protein content between 20% and 40%. Dubia roaches have sufficient protein content based on gargoyle geckos’ requirements.
- Ash: The foods consumed by gargoyle geckos should have ash less than 3%. Dubia roaches are safe for gargoyle geckos with only 2% ash content.
- Ca/P Ratio: The required Ca/P ratio for gargoyle geckos is 2:1, and with only 0.66 Ca/P, Dubia roaches have extremely low ratio.
Benefits of Feeding Dubia Roaches to Gargoyle Geckos
Feeding Dubia roaches to Gargoyle Geckos offers several benefits:
- Nutritional Value: Dubia roaches are highly nutritious and make an excellent staple feeder insect for Gargoyle Geckos. They have a favorable calcium-to-phosphorus ratio and provide essential nutrients such as protein, vitamins, and minerals.
- Digestibility: Dubia roaches are relatively easy for Gargoyle Geckos to digest compared to other feeder insects. Their soft exoskeleton and moderate size make them suitable for geckos of different ages and sizes.
- Exercise and Enrichment: Hunting live prey, such as Dubia roaches, can provide Gargoyle Geckos with mental and physical stimulation. It allows them to engage in natural hunting behaviors, promoting exercise and overall well-being.
- Variety in Diet: Offering a diverse diet is crucial for maintaining a healthy Gargoyle Gecko. Dubia roaches serve as a valuable component of a varied diet alongside other feeder insects, such as crickets and mealworms.
- Reduced Risk of Parasites: Compared to wild-caught insects, Dubia roaches are less likely to carry parasites or diseases that could harm your gecko. Breeding Dubia roaches in a controlled environment can help ensure the cleanliness and safety of your gecko.
Remember to always gut-load the Dubia roaches with nutritious foods before feeding them to your gecko.
Gut-loading involves feeding the roaches healthy foods to pass on additional nutrients to your gecko when they consume them.
Preparing Dubia Roaches
Preparing Dubia roaches for feeding involves a few important steps: gut loading and dusting. Here’s a brief overview of each process:
Gut Loading
Gut loading refers to feeding the Dubia roaches a nutritious diet to enhance their nutritional value before feeding them to your Gargoyle Gecko.
By providing the roaches with a well-balanced and nutrient-rich diet, you ensure that your gecko receives optimal nutrition.
You can gut load Dubia roaches by feeding them a variety of nutritious foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables (e.g., leafy greens, carrots, squash), high-quality commercial insect diets, and gut load supplements specifically designed for feeder insects.
It’s important to offer a diverse range of foods to ensure a variety of nutrients are transferred to the roaches.
Dusting
Dusting involves coating the Dubia roaches with a powdered supplement just before feeding them to your Gargoyle Gecko.
The powdered supplement helps provide additional essential nutrients, such as calcium and vitamins, to your gecko.
Dusting is particularly important for Gargoyle Geckos, as they have specific dietary calcium requirements to maintain optimal bone health.
To dust Dubia roaches, lightly dust them with a calcium powder or a calcium and multivitamin combination powder.
You can use a plastic bag, container, or specialized dusting container to gently shake the Dubia roaches in the powder, ensuring they get an even coating.
How to Feed Dubia Roaches to Gargoyle Geckos
Feeding Dubia roaches to Gargoyle Geckos requires considering factors such as frequency, size, and quantity. Here’s some guidance on how to feed Dubia roaches to your Gargoyle Gecko:
Frequency
Gargoyle Geckos are primarily insectivorous, and Dubia roaches can be a nutritious part of their diet.
It’s generally recommended to offer Dubia roaches to adult Gargoyle Geckos two to three times a week.
Juveniles and growing geckos might require more frequent feedings, up to daily or every other day.
Size
The size of the Dubia roaches you offer to your Gargoyle Gecko should be appropriate for their age and size.
As a general rule, the size of the prey item should not exceed the width of your gecko’s head.
For juveniles, smaller-sized Dubia roaches or nymphs are suitable, while larger adults can handle larger prey items.
Quantity
The number of Dubia roaches to feed depends on the appetite and size of your Gargoyle Gecko.
It’s recommended to offer a few roaches at each feeding session, and you can adjust the quantity based on your gecko’s hunger levels and how well they consume the prey.
Monitor their eating habits and evaluate their body condition regularly to ensure they’re getting the right amount.
Are Dubia Roaches Good for Baby And Juvenile Gargoyle Geckos?
Yes, Dubia roaches can be suitable and beneficial for baby and juvenile Gargoyle Geckos.
They offer a nutritious food source that can support their growth and development. However, it’s important to consider the size of the Dubia roaches in relation to the size of your gecko.
For baby and juvenile Gargoyle Geckos, it is recommended to offer smaller-sized Dubia roaches or nymphs that are appropriate for their size.
As they grow, you can gradually increase the size of the prey items.
Dubia roaches are a good choice because they have a soft exoskeleton, making them easier to digest compared to some other insects.
They also have a relatively balanced nutritional profile, containing essential proteins, fats, and moisture that contribute to a well-rounded gecko diet.
Summary
Dubia roaches form a good enrichment food for adult and baby gargoyle geckos. Their soft exoskeleton makes them easily digestible.
However, remember to dust the Dubia roaches with calcium powder or a reptile vitamin supplement before feeding them to your gecko.
This helps ensure that your gecko receives essential nutrients, particularly calcium, which is crucial for their bone health.
It’s important to offer a varied diet to Gargoyle Geckos, including a mix of feeder insects, fruits, and occasional treats.
This helps mimic their natural diet and provides them with a balanced nutritional intake.
