Can you feed a crested gecko banana? Yes, you can. Bananas are high in fiber and potassium. They also contain vitamin B6, vitamin C, and copper.
They have very few calories but are rich in natural sugars. And last but not least, they are safe and healthy to eat as part of your gecko’s diet.
Crested geckos are unique among lizards when it comes to their diet.
This is because unlike other species of geckos that primarily feed on insects, crested geckos actually prefer fruit as one of their food sources.
Can Crested Geckos Eat Bananas?
Yes, crested geckos eat bananas, as well as many other fruits. The reason you should feed your gecko banana is that it has many health benefits.
It is very nutritious and rich in fiber, making it a healthy snack or light meal choice.
For example, one banana will provide your pet with 10% of their daily fiber requirement. You can also feed a banana to your gecko to help with constipation and diarrhea.
If your gecko is underweight or overweight, this fruit can help with both conditions.
This is because bananas are rich in potassium and low in calories, which is beneficial for both situations. Bananas are also rich in vitamin B6, vitamin C, copper, and manganese.
Vitamin B6 is important for the immune system and nervous system, whereas vitamin C is required for healthy bones and teeth.
Copper is used for iron absorption and manganese helps metabolize fatty acids. All of these nutrients make bananas a nutritious and healthy fruit for your gecko to eat.
Can You Give Crested Geckos Mashed Bananas To Eat?
The simple answer is yes, you can. However, you should note that in general, most geckos prefer to feed on fruit that’s not been cooked.
This is because when the fruit is cooked, it loses most of its nutritional value.
Once fruits have been cooked, their natural sugar content becomes higher. As a result, the risk of feeding your gecko too much sugar increases.
This might cause weight gain or health problems like diarrhea.
A mashed-up banana, on the other hand, still contains all the fiber that your gecko needs. This means that it will be easier for the little lizard to digest.
It will also give your gecko enough energy to get moving around!
Is it a Good Idea To Feed Bananas To Your Crested Gecko?
First off, bananas are an excellent source of fiber. This is essential for a healthy digestive system.
It also helps regulate blood sugar and keeps the risk of diabetes low.
Bananas are also a good source of potassium. This is an essential mineral for reptiles.
It is important for the health of the nervous system, the heart, and the muscles.
3 Steps on How To You Feed Crested Gecko Bananas
When feeding your gecko bananas, you should always make sure that they are ripe.
- Peel the banana.
- Slice and mash up the banana until it’s paste.
- Feed it to your crested gecko.
Ripe bananas have more sugar, making them more palatable and delicious for your gecko. If you are planning on feeding your gecko mashed banana, you should make sure that it isn’t too watery.
You don’t want it to be too sticky, but neither do you want it to be runny.
Bananas are best eaten fresh, so you should always make sure that you are buying new ones each time.
If a banana is left to ripen past its optimum ripeness, it will get too mushy and sweet and might stress out your gecko.
How Many Bananas To Feed?
The number of bananas you feed your gecko depends on the age and size of your gecko. A fully grown crested gecko is not able to eat a full banana.
Small portions are more than enough for your crested gecko.
How Many Times Should You Feed It Bananas?
You should try to feed your gecko bananas once every 1-3 weeks. You should always feed your gecko fresh mashed-up bananas.
If a banana has been left out for too long, it will be runny, mushy, and not appetizing.
What is The of Ratio Of Calcium To Phosphorus in Bananas?
The ratio of calcium to phosphorus in bananas is 1:4.4. This indicates that there is 4.5 times as much phosphorus as calcium in the banana.
Crested geckos should eat a diet that has a Ca:P ratio of 2:1, 1:1, or 1:0.5.
Nutritional Value of a Banana
How To Calculate Ca:P Ratio
You can figure this out by calculating the Ca:P ratio using the formula given below.
According to the nutritional content, the Ca:P ratio is 11.3mg:49.5mg. Dividing through by 11.3 (calcium). The ratio becomes 1:4.4.
How does Oxalic Acids Affect Crested Geckos?
Oxalic acid is not a nutrient or essential dietary component and it is not required for normal growth or health.
When oxalic acid is consumed, it binds to the calcium and magnesium in the body and prevents them from being absorbed.
This can lead to calcium deficiency which can be harmful to your pet. Crested geckos are strict insectivores and may not benefit from the oxalic acid in the food and may not be able to digest it.
Some people recommend soaking and rinsing the bananas to get rid of the oxalic acid. However, this is not proven to be effective.
Oxalic Acid Level Of Bananas
Crested geckos should eat foods that have a low oxalic acid level. Oxalic acid is a compound found in many plants, especially those that are high in fiber.
This compound is also found in bananas and it can sometimes cause your gecko’s health to suffer.
Crested geckos, can sometimes exhibit signs of calcium deficiency due to the ingestion of foods high in oxalic acid.
Because of this and the fact that bananas have a Ca:P ratio. It required to serve it as a treat once a week or two.
Summary
Bananas are great sources of fiber, potassium, and vitamins. However, due to their high Ca:P ratio we recommend bananas be fed every 1-3 weeks.
This ensures your crestie gets enough nutrients and fiber for healthy growth.
