Ideal Leopard Gecko Diets, Based on Zoo & Field Research

bronxzoofrank

New Member
Messages
270
Location
NY
I've actually found a few of these in my basement before, after the weather turned cold. They can't seem to survive... too dry, I think?

Yes, probably so...roaches that live among leaf litter, fallen logs generally need moist environments...not as adaptable as German roaches and other household pests. You could probably keep them as described here; let me know how all goes; BTW - they were active already, in Kansas?
 

favrielle

New Member
Messages
338
Location
Kansas
I'm in SC Kansas. We've had some rather up and down weather, already over 70* F some days, but still very cool/cold overnights. These guys weren't out-and-about active... as I said, I found them under a wood pile, at the very bottom among some dead/decomposing leaves & bark. In fact, as I was collecting them, they were moving rather slowly except for the smallest babies. Now that I have them inside, they're moving much faster.

I'm going to keep them, try to set up a simple enclosure for them. I might have to order some better screening, though, as the babies really are very small.
 

bronxzoofrank

New Member
Messages
270
Location
NY
I'm in SC Kansas. We've had some rather up and down weather, already over 70* F some days, but still very cool/cold overnights. These guys weren't out-and-about active... as I said, I found them under a wood pile, at the very bottom among some dead/decomposing leaves & bark. In fact, as I was collecting them, they were moving rather slowly except for the smallest babies. Now that I have them inside, they're moving much faster.

I'm going to keep them, try to set up a simple enclosure for them. I might have to order some better screening, though, as the babies really are very small.

I always think of Kansas as having brutal winters...only 28F right now here in S NY; some spring like signs, though, redwing blackbirds back, cardinals calling, wood frogs/peepers should start any day.

Very interesting re the roaches, thanks...means they likely have a life cycle lasting at least 1 year, as the over-winter. Let me know if you decide to check ID's; Peterson/Audubon Field Guides good, or perhaps try here.

You can buy or order "insect screening" and duct tape or silicone over regular screening...best to do so on outer side of cover, as some adult roaches can chew through (most are plastic, not metal). Enjoy and pl keep me posted, frank
 

favrielle

New Member
Messages
338
Location
Kansas
Interesting.

I took your suggesting to check bugguide.net under Parcoblatta, and it looks like these are actually just half-grown over-wintering nymphs... which makes sense, as I didn't actually see any winged ones while trying to knock all of them into my hastily-grabbed container.
 

bronxzoofrank

New Member
Messages
270
Location
NY
Interesting.

I took your suggesting to check bugguide.net under Parcoblatta, and it looks like these are actually just half-grown over-wintering nymphs... which makes sense, as I didn't actually see any winged ones while trying to knock all of them into my hastily-grabbed container.

Thanks...not sure if I've heard of them overwintering as immatures and hatchlings, very interesting...then again, I don't put anything past roaches! Best, Frank
 

favrielle

New Member
Messages
338
Location
Kansas
Thanks...not sure if I've heard of them overwintering as immatures and hatchlings, very interesting...then again, I don't put anything past roaches! Best, Frank

That's why I assumed the larger ones were adults, despite their lack of wings. I'd never heard of roaches overwintering either. Anyway, for now I have them set up in temporary housing, a 6 qt shoebox container with lid. They do not appear to be able to climb the clean, smooth plastic of the tub, which will make them much easier to keep and contain.
 

bronxzoofrank

New Member
Messages
270
Location
NY
That's why I assumed the larger ones were adults, despite their lack of wings. I'd never heard of roaches overwintering either. Anyway, for now I have them set up in temporary housing, a 6 qt shoebox container with lid. They do not appear to be able to climb the clean, smooth plastic of the tub, which will make them much easier to keep and contain.

Just struck me...tried keeping hissing roaches cool this year - have not eaten since October (60-62 F) and appear fine, so...

A band of Vaseline along the top can be used as insurance if needed

Hope they do well, frank
 

Samantha12

Member
Messages
134
Location
Michigan, USA
Has anyone ever tried giving a leopard gecko feeder fish? Rosy reds, to be specific? I intern at a nature center and we feed all the reptiles and amphibians rosy reds occasionally. Would this be a nice treat for my geckos, or are they nutritionally poor?
I used to feed crickets, meal worms, superworms, and occasional hornworms, but switched to a staple of dubia roaches a few months ago and now I have a hard time getting any of my lizards to eat anything else lol.
 

bronxzoofrank

New Member
Messages
270
Location
NY
Has anyone ever tried giving a leopard gecko feeder fish? Rosy reds, to be specific? I intern at a nature center and we feed all the reptiles and amphibians rosy reds occasionally. Would this be a nice treat for my geckos, or are they nutritionally poor?
I used to feed crickets, meal worms, superworms, and occasional hornworms, but switched to a staple of dubia roaches a few months ago and now I have a hard time getting any of my lizards to eat anything else lol.


Hello,

Minnows are a valuable food for many herps but I would not suggest for leopard geckos; uncertain if there would be problems metabolizing, as radically different from typical foods; vertebrates are rarely if ever taken in the wild...an concessional pinky is fine for gravid females, but otherwise best to use a variety of inverts.

Roaches are fine as a basis of the diet; they will take former foods if kept a bit hungry. I avoid mealworms other than newly-molted grubs. Please let me know if you need anything, best, frank
 

indyana

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,336
Location
Massachusetts, United States
Great to see this thread going! I'm still trying to work up the nerve to try a few wild-caught insects this coming spring/summer. In the meantime, I've been working my way through the commercially available insects with my lizards. There are always new things to try. :)
 

bronxzoofrank

New Member
Messages
270
Location
NY
Great to see this thread going! I'm still trying to work up the nerve to try a few wild-caught insects this coming spring/summer. In the meantime, I've been working my way through the commercially available insects with my lizards. There are always new things to try. :)

Thanks..let me know if you need links to other articles on collecting, etc. best regards, Frank
 

Mantislover

New Member
Messages
42
Location
Ellsworth, Maine
How about the little red asiatic beetle? A friend has alot of trouble with them eating her plants. I will try them on my mantids first. They love the japanese beetles.
 

bronxzoofrank

New Member
Messages
270
Location
NY
How about the little red asiatic beetle? A friend has alot of trouble with them eating her plants. I will try them on my mantids first. They love the japanese beetles.

Hi...I'm not sure of the species...red coloration can mean trouble, but not always..any photos or ID? japanese beetles great for mantids, unless you're near a farm/nursury where spraying is common. But don't feed too many at once to herps; I've had no problems with lizards, but lost 2 frogs after large meals...vet's theory (at Bx Zoo) was that the legs etc caused minute wounds internally...lizards crush them, usually, but best to use with caution. Vet told me about a small dog that also died after partaking of a Japanese beetle meal...but he ate appx 1,500 of them in a short time!!! bbest, Frank
 

Mantislover

New Member
Messages
42
Location
Ellsworth, Maine
Thanks. The beetles are red asian lily bugs. They ravage asiatic lilies. I cant use the ones from my friend's garden, I just found out she sprayed them last year. I dont and the grounds are not sprayed. I think they are safe. I found a beautiful gray tree frog in my garden last summer so no poisons allowed!
 

Mantislover

New Member
Messages
42
Location
Ellsworth, Maine
I will try a couple of japanese beetles and see what they think. I prefer moths, they are soft and flutter around after being chilled awhile so are easy to catch for the geckos.
 

bronxzoofrank

New Member
Messages
270
Location
NY
Thanks. The beetles are red asian lily bugs. They ravage asiatic lilies. I cant use the ones from my friend's garden, I just found out she sprayed them last year. I dont and the grounds are not sprayed. I think they are safe. I found a beautiful gray tree frog in my garden last summer so no poisons allowed!

Thanks...I've only seen them once or twice...no reports of toxicity that I can find; nice that you have gray treefrogs nearby, they really are beautiful. They have managed to hold on here near and even in NYC; best, Frank
 

Elgreco

New Member
Messages
45
Location
United States
I think I'm going to start breeding woodlice. It seems like they are one of the easiest, if not the easiest feeders to breed. Plus the fact that they will eat pretty much anything makes them easy to gut load.
 

bronxzoofrank

New Member
Messages
270
Location
NY
I think I'm going to start breeding woodlice. It seems like they are one of the easiest, if not the easiest feeders to breed. Plus the fact that they will eat pretty much anything makes them easy to gut load.

One of the best choices...crustaceans, high in CA and feed as you say; here's an article on care and breeding if needed; enjoy, Frank
 

favrielle

New Member
Messages
338
Location
Kansas
I thought I'd update that I still have that colony of wild local wood roaches, though the winged males proved to be quite talented escape artists and even a 1.5" band of vaseline was not much of a deterrent to their plastic-climbing, jail-breaking habits. My colony is now made up almost entirely of adult females, who appear less willing (unable?) to climb plastic. I now have nearly 2 dozen egg cases that I'm attempting to incubate. If it works, I'll be keeping this colony going as an interesting experiment and possible future feeder source, though the winter diapause before maturity might complicate matters.
 

bronxzoofrank

New Member
Messages
270
Location
NY
I thought I'd update that I still have that colony of wild local wood roaches, though the winged males proved to be quite talented escape artists and even a 1.5" band of vaseline was not much of a deterrent to their plastic-climbing, jail-breaking habits. My colony is now made up almost entirely of adult females, who appear less willing (unable?) to climb plastic. I now have nearly 2 dozen egg cases that I'm attempting to incubate. If it works, I'll be keeping this colony going as an interesting experiment and possible future feeder source, though the winter diapause before maturity might complicate matters.


Thanks...they are fast and agile! Wondering; if they may be adaptable enough to breed year round...I've not seen anything either way, pl keep me posted, enjoy, Frank
 

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