switching from feeding cricket to superworm

[jjasonn]

hi, i am new to keeping leopard gecko, i just got a Shtct from a breeder.. it is abt 1.5 yrs old.. I was told by the breeder it feed on superworm, but when i bring it home, it stop eating for a week or so.. I offer superworm and meal worm, it wont eat at all..
So i decided to feed it with cricket.. It chase after it and eat the cricket immediately..
I called up my breeder, he told me that if ever feed a leo with cricket, it wont eat superworm anymore.. Cricket make the leo poops more smelly.. Feeding mealworm will be better, wont create much smells..
I hope any expect can give me some tips, so tat my leo will start eating superworm?

 

[Bellalee]

If a gecko is hungry, it will eat the superworm. Some geckos just don't eat superworms with that being said though.

 

[Enigmatic_Reptiles]

Well getting a leo off of crickets is the hard part. They become accustomed to the thrill of the hunt and the visual stimulation of the cricket running around. The thing with super worms is not all leos will eat them. If they were fed mealworms and superworms with the breeder then I would just continue to feed those. If a gecko doesn't eat for a week after being shipped that's not un-heard of. The stress and adaptation will sometimes prevent the leo from eating for a week or two and then pick right back up on eating. What I would suggest is to stop feeding crickets and continue to try with the mealworms and superworms.

 

[NycGecko]

i had my super worms in a feeding bowl and they would never eat for 2 weeks when i first got my geckos. so then i fed them crickets and they went after them so tried this.. jus take out the food bowl and jus drop the worms or crickets in there and im pretty sure they will eat them its like hunting for them lol

 

[jjasonn]

i am using newspaper.. The superworm tends to hide under the newspaper if i didnt use a food dish.. I am worried that the leo lack of fats and protein due to not eating mealworm or superworm.. Anyone feed your leo just crickets only?

 

[jjasonn]

finally i my leo eat superworm... i use a tweezer to hold a superworm and cricket together.. the leo will strike at both of them...

 

[NycGecko]

i use green carpet turf which is more durable then the plastic crap and easier to clean and looks more visually more appealing i mainly use superworms as a primary source of food and 1 day out of 2 weeks i give them wax worms i just throw them in the cage and let them go for it this all works for me

 

[Landen]

I would strongly recommend not to allow any food item to be left in the cage. They will wind up feeding on feces, then the gecko eats it and increases the probability of illness. Or it's in there for several days without food and by the time your gecko gets it it's empty and theres no benifit from gut loading. Not to mention that they will actually nibble on your gecko's tail and cause damage. Try to find a food bowl that allows the gecko better visibility or access to the food without allowing the worms to roam around. I tong feed all crickets, and leave none unattended after feeding.

I feed all three, mealworms, crickets, and supers. I cycle from one type to the other, so my animals are used to switching their diet. This tends to eliminate or minimize picky eaters and works better for new owner and gecko when they go to their new home.