What else can I feed them?

[GodzillaGecko]

Besides crickets and meal worms (I will not do roaches. I was born and raised in NY. I never want to see another giant roach again). And of course the little treats that are waxworms.

I really don't see much talk about other insect types that could be ordered. Like grasshoppers or could we use wingless flies to add variety? I don't see anything with locusts (which are like grasshoppers anyway) on any of the sites.

Just wondering if there was more then just crickets and mealies that could be used. (AND NO ROACHES ARGHH!)

 

[DrCarrotTail]

I stay away from wild caught bugs since you just never know where they come from and have been.

I believe locusts are not native to the Americas and are currently illegal in the US as they have the potential to survive in our climate and become unwanted pests.

 

[Taesolieroy]

There are also butterworms and Phoenix worms (fly larvae that are bizarre to look at but active as all get out).

Butterworms rank the same fat levels as a waxie and should be fed sparingly - they like to spin psuedo coccoons in their bedding and making it clump, but their size and brilliant orange colors are a major attractant to the geckos.

Phoenix worms are a bit pricy depending on where you get them, but they have the highest calcium count in their system and are an all around 'perfect bug'

Some folks have had luck feeding their geckos canned grasshoppers, but be ware of the stink factor with those.

The only other bug is of course the dubias (which you clearly stated a NO towards - and I know where you're coming from too XP )

The only wingless flies I know most stores/suppliers sell are the fruit flies, and those are more suited for newly hatched geckos, not full grown adults >_>
I agree about the wildcaught bugs, particularly in an urban area due to the chemicals in the area. In Maine I was living on the boondocks by the coast away from major towns when we were caring for my stepbrother's anole years ago, and we often caught him moths and crickets.

OH! That's the other bug you could feed the gecko - when your waxworms pupate, let them pupate into moths and feed the moths to the geckos if you don't intend to breed another generation (I've looked up the method and let's say it's a ticking stinkbomb.. I don't want to mess around with that at all - though I may breed mealies for both my geckos and sugar gliders as well as local reptile keepers).

 

[DrCarrotTail]

I forgot about the silkworms i was captivated by at a recent reptile expo. They looked pretty cool. I've seen some places selling hornworms too but they get super huge so you'd probably need to find some young ones for the average Leo.

 

[Taesolieroy]

Plus hornworms have a nasty little bite that might be bad for geckos who quickly swallow their food down over mashing them up (I'm glad all my girls mash their food good and proper in the process of reorienting them for swallowing). They are good though for restoring a gecko's appetite from what I hear.

 

[GodzillaGecko]

Thanks for letting me know. I've seen a few locusts (illegal of course) but they were kept by themselves and were pretty large. And I agree on wild caught insects. You never know. But there should be a grasshopper breeder somewhere out there. You'd think there would be if someone is breeding roaches LOL.

Definitely will look into the pheonix worms. I just want to give my pet several different insects to choose from so they don't just eat 1 thing. I'd get bored if I did. I'm sure they would to.

 

[Taesolieroy]

Just be sure to keep the Phoenixes refrigerated between feedings, I made the mistake of not doing so with mine (because folks are leery about animal food in the fridge to begin with) and they've started dying off/pupating almost from the getgo with it being warm here. Any bug/worm you want to preserve longer before they pupate you'll want to keep chilled.

 

[WilliamTheLeopardGecko]

Super worms can only be used in an older gecko but they can still be fed. Just crush the head before feeding!!

 

[hockeysprinkles]

I know a lot of people say not to do this but I actually feed my geckos a mostly all freeze dried diet. I use Fluker's freeze dried crickets which is the exact farm most chain pet stores use and some sort of dead cooked/freeze dried farm raised flies that I re-hydrate in warm water for about 10 mins. I also use Can O Worms (small mealies) they don't need soaked and the smell isn't that bad unlike the other canned ones (i put the can in a container and then but it in my egg shelf it has a door on it that closes that way its not with my food) . I then thoroughly dust them with various calcium and vitamins depending on the day and place them in a dish. She still gets live crickets, mealies and the occasional wax worm about once a week just to help stimulate her and its a nice treat. I always hide the live insects so she kind of has to hunt for them. My Herp vet says she's healthy and that there is really nothing wrong with feeding her dead feeders as long as she will eat them and that I am dusting them with calcium and vitamins. I also keep a small bottle cap filled with the supplements in her cage too because I rather be safe then sorry.

 

[GodzillaGecko]

I never ever fed my animals bugs in a can. Or mice in a can. or baby birds in a can. A lot of the nutritional value is depleted and yes there are powders and such but it really kills the whole enjoyment of watching them hunt live prey. Definitely never doing roaches though LOL. Been looking at other insects people use on the forums though. I already have all the sites for feeders and going through the prices. Thanks for all the help though guys.

 

[Jusselin]

silkworms....SILK worms =] they love them and they are very good for your gecko.

Depending on your/their personality pinkies too as a treat.