Key Takeaway:
- Tokay geckos can eat mealworms as a part of a varied diet that should include other insects and commercial diet food.
- Mealworms should not be the sole food source for these reptiles. It is essential to provide them with a balanced diet to maintain their overall health and well-being.
- Mealworms can be fed live, dead, frozen, or dried. Live mealworms are recommended as they provide better nutrition for the gecko and also offer better enrichment.
- Mealworms can be fed to baby and juvenile Tokay geckos, but it is recommended to alternate them with other insect feeders such as crickets, waxworms, calci worms and super worms.
- The size of mealworms should be appropriate for the size of the gecko.
Tokay geckos are fascinating creatures with unique dietary needs. As an owner, it’s essential to provide them with a well-balanced diet to keep them healthy and thriving.
One question that often arises is whether or not mealworms should be included in their diet.
While mealworms are a popular choice for many reptile owners, it’s essential to understand if they are suitable for Tokay geckos.
In this article, we’ll delve into the topic and answer important questions such as how often you should feed mealworms to your tokay gecko, how big the mealworms should be, and the nutritional value of mealworms.
Additionally, we’ll cover different ways of feeding mealworms to your gecko and discuss the importance of the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in their diet.
So, if you want to ensure that your Tokay gecko is getting the proper nutrition they need, keep reading to find out everything you need to know about feeding mealworms to your Tokay gecko.
Can Tokay Geckos Eat Mealworms?
Tokay geckos can eat mealworms. Mealworms are an excellent source of protein and essential nutrients for Tokay geckos.
However, feeding them mealworms as a sole diet is not recommended.
Do Tokay Geckos Eat Mealworms in The Wild and Captivity?
In the wild, Tokay geckos eat a variety of insects, including mealworms. However, their diet mainly consists of crickets, beetles, and other insects.
In captivity, they can eat mealworms, but it is important to provide them with a varied diet that includes other insects and commercial diet food.
Should You Feed Baby and Juvenile Tokay Geckos Mealworms?
You can feed mealworms to baby and juvenile Tokay geckos. It’s important to note that mealworms should not be the only food source for Tokay geckos.
A balanced diet that includes a variety of insects, fruits, and vegetables is necessary for their overall health and well-being.
It’s recommended to alternate between mealworms and other insect feeders such as crickets, waxworms, and super worms to provide a varied diet.
Should Mealworms Be Fed Live, Dead, Or Frozen to Tokay Geckos?
Mealworms can be fed to Tokay geckos in different forms, such as live, dead, frozen, or dried.
However, it is usually recommended to feed them live mealworms as they provide better nutrition for the gecko.
Live mealworms have higher protein content and offer better enrichment for the gecko as they can chase and hunt their prey, which is beneficial for their mental and physical health.
4 Ways on How to Feed Mealworms to Tokay Geckos?
There are different ways to feed mealworms to Tokay geckos. Some methods are discussed below:
Blended
You could blend mealworms with other foods to create a paste or slurry that can be fed to Tokay geckos.
This method is recommended for sick or injured geckos that have difficulty eating solid foods.
Live
Tokay geckos are known to prefer live prey. Feeding live mealworms to Tokay geckos can stimulate their natural hunting instincts and make feeding time more exciting.
However, it is important to supervise feeding to prevent any injury to the gecko.
Frozen
Frozen mealworms can be fed to Tokay geckos, but they should be thawed first.
Some sources suggest using tongs to hold the mealworm and moving it in front of the gecko to simulate movement.
Dried
Dried mealworms can be fed to Tokay geckos as a treat, but they should not be the main source of food.
Dried mealworms also lack the essential water content needed for the gecko to stay hydrated.
How Often Should Mealworms Be Fed to Tokay Geckos?
Mealworms are an excellent source of nutrition for Tokay geckos, but it’s important not to overfeed them.
- Baby geckos should be fed two-three times a day
- Juveniles should be fed once each day
- Adult geckos should be fed once after two-three days
How Big Should the Mealworms Be?
When feeding mealworms to Tokay geckos, it’s important to consider the size of the gecko and the size of the mealworms.
The size of the mealworms should be appropriate for the size of the gecko.
Too small mealworms won’t satisfy the gecko’s hunger, and too giant mealworms could cause impaction and other digestive issues.
Most owners recommend offering food that is no larger than the size of the gecko’s mouth to prevent obstructions.
Mealworms can grow to be up to 1 inch in length, so it’s important to purchase them in appropriate sizes.
Nutritional Value of Mealworms
Mealworms are rich in nutrients that are essential for Tokay geckos. The table below provides nutritional information about mealworms.
| Nutrient | Live Mealworm | Dried Mealworm |
| Protein | 20% | 53% |
| Fat | 13% | 28% |
| Fibre | 2% | 6% |
| Moisture | 62% | 5% |
Importance of Calcium to Phosphorous Ratio in Food
The calcium-to-phosphorus ratio is an essential consideration when feeding Tokay geckos. The ideal ratio of calcium to phosphorus in geckos’ food should be 2:1.
This is because geckos require more calcium than phosphorus in their diets.
If the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio is too low, it can lead to metabolic bone disease, which is a severe health condition that can affect the skeletal system of geckos.
On the other hand, if the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio is too high, it can lead to a build-up of calcium in the body, which can also have harmful effects.
Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that the food given to Tokay geckos contains an appropriate calcium-to-phosphorus ratio.
How To Calculate Calcium to Phosphorous Ratio In Mealworms
The calcium to phosphorus ratio is a crucial factor when considering the nutrition of tokay geckos. It is essential to ensure that the prey items fed to the geckos have a proper ratio of these minerals.
To calculate the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in mealworms, you need to know the calcium and phosphorus content of the mealworms.
You can find this information in the nutritional analysis of the mealworms’ packaging, or you can get it from laboratory analysis.
Once you have the calcium and phosphorus values, divide the calcium value by the phosphorus value, and you will get the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio.
It is recommended to feed tokay geckos prey items that have a calcium-to-phosphorus ratio of at least 1.5:1. However, the optimal ratio is around 2:1.
Summary
If you own a Tokay gecko, you may wonder whether it can eat mealworms. Mealworms are one of the most popular feeder insects and are readily available in pet stores.
However, you must be careful about what you feed your gecko because their nutritional needs are different from other pets.
Tokay geckos can eat mealworms, but it should not be the sole food source.
Mealworms are high in proteins and fat making it suitable for a gecko’s diet. However, you should avoid feeding your gecko mealworms that are too big as they may cause impaction (a blockage in the digestive system).
If you choose to feed your gecko mealworms, make sure they are small and gut-loaded with nutritious food, such as vegetables and fruits, for at least 24 hours before feeding.
To ensure a well-balanced diet for your Tokay gecko, it is best to offer a variety of feeder insects, including crickets, roaches, and waxworms, and supplement their diet with calcium and vitamin D3.
The ratio of calcium to phosphorus in your gecko’s food is crucial, and you must calculate it to ensure that your gecko gets enough calcium to support its bone health.
In conclusion, while mealworms can be fed to Tokay geckos in moderation, they should not be the only food source.
A varied diet, proper supplementation, and calcium-to-phosphorus ratio monitoring are essential to keeping your gecko healthy and happy.
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