Crested geckos are amazing reptiles that have become very popular as pets in recent years, because they are easy to care for, have unique personalities, and come in a variety of colors and patterns.
But one of the most important aspects of keeping a healthy and happy crested gecko is providing them with a balanced and varied diet.
One of the questions that many crested gecko owners have is: can crested geckos eat mealworms? It's because Mealworms are one of the most common feeder insects available in pet stores, and they seem to be a tempting treat for many geckos.
But are they good and safe for your crested gecko? The short answer is yes but with restrictions, as we will explain in this article, as well as provide you with a comprehensive feeding guide on how to offer mealworms to your crested gecko.
By the end of this, you will have a better understanding of whether mealworms are suitable for your crested gecko and how to feed them properly.
Table of Contents
What Are Mealworms?
Mealworms are not actually worms, but the larval stage of a type of beetle called the darkling beetle, they are yellowish-brown in color, have a segmented body, and can grow up to 2.5 cm in length.
They are native to Europe but have been introduced to many other parts of the world as pests, feeder insects, and human food.
Mealworms are very easy to breed and raise, and they can survive on a variety of organic materials, such as grains, fruits, vegetables, and decaying matter.
They are also very resilient and can withstand harsh conditions, such as low temperatures, low humidity, and high salinity.
Because of these characteristics, mealworms are widely used as a source of protein and nutrients for animals and humans alike.
Are Mealworms Good for Crested Geckos?
Mealworms have a high protein content, which is essential for the growth and development of crested geckos.
They also contain some other nutrients, such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, and vitamin A, that are beneficial for your gecko's health.
However, mealworms are not a complete diet for your crested gecko, and they should not be fed exclusively or too frequently.
Diet Variety
One of the main advantages of feeding mealworms to your crested gecko is that they can provide some variety and enrichment to your gecko's diet.
Crested geckos are omnivorous, meaning that they can eat both plant and animal matter, and in the wild, they feed on a range of foods, such as fruits, nectar, pollen, insects, and even small vertebrates.
Therefore, offering different types of foods can help stimulate your gecko's natural instincts and behaviors, as well as prevent boredom and pickiness.
Cheap and Easy to find
Another benefit of feeding mealworms to your crested gecko is that they are relatively cheap and easy to find.
You can buy them from most pet stores, and online shops, or even breed them yourself at home, as they are also easy to store and keep, as they can last for several weeks in the refrigerator or for several months in the freezer.
You can also gut-load them before feeding them to your gecko, which means feeding them nutritious foods that will enhance their nutritional value.
Are Mealworms Safe for Crested Geckos?
Mealworms are generally safe for crested geckos, as long as they are fed in moderation and with caution.
However, there are some potential risks and drawbacks of feeding mealworms to your crested gecko that you should be aware of and avoid.
Impaction
One of the main risks of feeding mealworms to your crested gecko is impaction, which is a blockage of the digestive tract caused by indigestible or hard materials.
Mealworms have a tough exoskeleton, which is made of a substance called chitin, that's difficult to digest and can accumulate in your gecko's stomach or intestines, causing constipation, pain, and even death.
To prevent impaction, you should only feed mealworms that are appropriate for your gecko's size, and avoid feeding them too many or too often.
You should also provide your gecko with plenty of water and fiber-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables, to help them digest the mealworms.
Related Reads:
Crested Gecko - Everything You Need to Know About These Caledonian Reptiles
Can Crested Geckos Live Together? | Cohabitation Pros and Cons
Obesity
Another risk of feeding mealworms to your crested gecko is obesity, which is a condition of being overweight or having excess body fat.
Mealworms are high in fat and calories, which can lead to weight gain and health problems for your gecko if fed too much or too frequently.
Obesity can cause issues such as joint pain, respiratory problems, liver disease, and reduced lifespan, so to prevent obesity, you should limit the amount and frequency of mealworms that you feed to your gecko, and balance them with other low-fat and high-protein foods, such as crickets, roaches, or dubia roaches.
Parasite Infestation
A third risk of feeding mealworms to your crested gecko is parasite infestation, which is a condition of being infected by harmful organisms, such as worms, mites, or bacteria.
Mealworms can carry parasites that can be transmitted to your gecko when they eat them, causing symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, and lethargy.
Parasites can also weaken your gecko's immune system and make them more susceptible to other diseases.
To prevent parasite infestation, you should only buy mealworms from reputable sources, and quarantine them for at least a week before feeding them to your gecko.
You should also inspect the mealworms for any signs of parasites, such as holes, spots, or unusual movements, and discard any that look suspicious.
Dehydration
A fourth risk of feeding mealworms to your crested gecko is dehydration, which is a condition of having insufficient water in the body.
Mealworms have a low moisture content, which means that they do not provide much water to your gecko when they eat them.
Dehydration can cause problems such as dry skin, sunken eyes, loss of appetite, and kidney failure, so to prevent dehydration, you should always provide your gecko with fresh and clean water in a shallow dish or a spray bottle.
You should also mist your gecko's enclosure regularly to maintain a high humidity level, which is important for your gecko's hydration and shedding.
How to Feed Mealworms to a Crested Gecko?
If you decide to feed mealworms to your crested gecko, you should follow some simple steps to ensure that you do it safely and effectively.
Here are some tips on how to feed mealworms to your crested gecko:
- Choose the right size of mealworms for your gecko: The mealworms should be no larger than the space between your gecko's eyes, or about 1 cm in length. Larger mealworms can pose a choking hazard or cause impaction for your gecko.
- Choose the right quantity of mealworms for your gecko: The general rule is to feed your gecko as many mealworms as they can eat in 15 minutes or about 2 to 4 mealworms per feeding. You can adjust the quantity depending on your gecko's age, size, activity level, and appetite.
- Choose the right frequency of feeding mealworms to your gecko: Mealworms should not be fed more than once or twice a week, as they are high in fat and low in moisture. Feeding them too often can cause obesity, dehydration, or nutrient imbalance for your gecko.
- Choose the right quality of mealworms for your gecko: You should only buy mealworms from reputable sources, such as pet stores, online shops, or breeders. You should also check the expiration date and the condition of the mealworms before buying them, and avoid any that are moldy, smelly, or dead.
- Prepare the mealworms before feeding them to your gecko: You should wash the mealworms with water to remove any dirt or dust, and dry them with a paper towel. You should also gut-load the mealworms by feeding them nutritious foods, or commercial gut-load products, for at least 24 hours before feeding them to your gecko.
- Offer the mealworms to your gecko in different ways: You can use a pair of tweezers or tongs to hand-feed the mealworms to your gecko, which can help you bond with your gecko and monitor their eating habits. You can also place the mealworms in a shallow dish or a bowl with smooth edges, and let your gecko hunt them on their own to stimulate their natural instincts and behaviors.
- Store the leftover mealworms properly: You should keep the mealworms in a ventilated container with some bedding, such as oatmeal, bran, or wheat germ, and some food and water sources, such as fruits, vegetables, or moistened paper towels.
Can Hatchlings and Juvenile Crested Geckos Eat Mealworms?
Young crested geckos have smaller mouths and digestive systems, which means that they are more prone to choking or impaction from mealworms.
They also have higher metabolic rates and nutritional needs, which means that they need more protein and calcium to support their growth and development.
Therefore, if you want to feed mealworms to your hatchling or juvenile crested gecko, you should follow these tips:
- Only feed them very small mealworms, preferably less than 1 cm in length. You can also cut the mealworms into smaller pieces to make them easier to swallow and digest.
- Only feed them a few mealworms at a time, and monitor their eating habits closely. If you notice any signs of difficulty swallowing, regurgitation, or constipation, stop feeding them mealworms immediately and consult a vet.
- Only feed them mealworms once or twice a week, and balance them with other high-protein and high-calcium foods, such as crickets, roaches, or dubia roaches. You can also dust the mealworms with calcium or vitamin powder to boost their nutritional value.
- Always provide them with fresh and clean water and mist their enclosure regularly to keep them hydrated and prevent dehydration.
Conclusion
In conclusion, crested geckos can eat mealworms, but they should not be fed as a staple diet or too frequently.
Mealworms can provide some benefits for your crested gecko, such as protein, variety, and enrichment, but they can also pose some risks, such as impaction, obesity, parasite infestation, and dehydration.
Therefore, you should feed mealworms to your crested gecko in moderation and with caution, and follow some simple steps to ensure that you do it safely and effectively.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your crested gecko enjoys mealworms as a tasty and nutritious treat, without compromising their health and well-being.
We hope you found this article helpful and informative, and that you learned something new about feeding mealworms to your crested gecko. Thank you for reading!
Additional Resource
FAQs About Crested Geckos Eat Mealworms
Can I just feed my gecko mealworms?
No, you should not feed your gecko only mealworms. Mealworms are high in fat and low in moisture and can cause health problems for your gecko if fed too much or too often.
How can I breed mealworms at home for my crested gecko?
You can breed mealworms at home by keeping them in a plastic or glass container with some bedding, food, and water. You should also provide them with some dark and warm places to pupate and metamorphose into beetles.
How can I tell if my crested gecko likes mealworms?
You can tell if your crested gecko likes mealworms by observing their behavior and appetite. If your gecko eagerly eats the mealworms, licks their lips, or looks for more, they probably like them. If your gecko ignores, spits out, or refuses to eat the mealworms, they probably don’t like them.
What not to feed crested geckos?
You should not feed crested geckos foods that are toxic, hard, sticky, or indigestible, such as chocolate, avocado, citrus fruits, nuts, seeds, cheese, bread, or candy.
What bugs can I feed a crested gecko?
You can feed crested geckos a variety of bugs, such as crickets, roaches, dubia roaches, waxworms, silkworms, hornworms, or butterworms. However, you should avoid bugs that are venomous, spiny, or too large for your gecko.
What worms are good for crested geckos?
Some worms that are good for crested geckos are waxworms, silkworms, hornworms, or butterworms. These worms are soft, moist, and nutritious, and can provide some variety and enrichment to your gecko's diet.
What are the signs of impaction or obesity in crested geckos?
Some signs of impaction or obesity in crested geckos are difficulty swallowing, regurgitation, constipation, bloating, lethargy, reduced activity, swollen joints, breathing problems, or reduced lifespan. If you notice any of these signs, you should consult a vet immediately.