Leopard Gecko Diet: Best Insects & Feeding Schedule [2026]

Published March 27, 2026 · By ExoPetHub Team

Complete leopard gecko diet guide — best feeder insects, gut loading, calcium and D3 supplementation, feeding schedules by age, and foods to avoid.

What Do Leopard Geckos Eat?

Leopard geckos are strict insectivores — they eat only live insects. Unlike some other gecko species, they do not eat fruit, nectar, or commercial paste diets. A healthy diet consists of a variety of gut-loaded, calcium-dusted feeder insects.

Best Feeder Insects

Feeder Insect	Nutritional Value	Best For	Notes
Dubia roaches	Excellent — high protein, low fat	Staple feeder	Best overall feeder; easy to gut load; low odor
Crickets	Good — high protein, moderate fat	Staple feeder	Active feeders that encourage hunting; noisy; can bite gecko if left uneaten
Mealworms	Moderate — higher fat, good protein	Staple or regular rotation	Easy to keep; leave in a dish for geckos that prefer not to chase prey
Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL)	Excellent — naturally high in calcium	Staple or supplement	One of the best feeders; no gut loading needed; high calcium-to-phosphorus ratio
Superworms	Moderate — high fat, good protein	Occasional treat	Larger than mealworms; feed only to adults; higher fat content
Waxworms	Poor — very high fat	Rare treat only	Highly addictive; geckos may refuse other feeders after eating these; use sparingly
Hornworms	Good — high moisture, moderate protein	Occasional treat	Great for hydration; grow very fast; feed when small
Silkworms	Excellent — high protein, low fat	Occasional (availability limited)	One of the best feeders nutritionally; hard to find and expensive

Staple vs. Treat Feeders

Staple feeders (offer regularly): Dubia roaches, crickets, mealworms, BSFL
Occasional feeders (1-2 times per week): Hornworms, superworms, silkworms
Rare treats (once every 1-2 weeks at most): Waxworms

Gut Loading

Gut loading means feeding nutritious food to feeder insects 24-48 hours before offering them to your gecko. This dramatically increases the nutritional value of the feeders.

Good Gut Load Foods

Dark leafy greens (collard greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens)
Squash, carrots, sweet potato
Commercial gut load products (Repashy Bug Burger, Mazuri High Calcium Gut Load)
Bee pollen (sprinkled on greens)

Avoid as Gut Load

Iceberg lettuce (no nutritional value)
Spinach (binds calcium)
Citrus fruits (can be harmful to insects and gecko)

Calcium and Vitamin Supplementation

Supplementation prevents metabolic bone disease, the most common and devastating nutritional disorder in leopard geckos.

Supplement Schedule

Supplement	Frequency	Details
Calcium without D3	Every feeding	Lightly dust feeder insects; also leave a small dish of pure calcium in the enclosure
Calcium with D3	1-2 times per week	Dust feeders in place of plain calcium
Multivitamin (with vitamin A)	1-2 times per week	Herptivite or Repashy Calcium Plus are popular choices

How to Dust Insects

Place insects in a plastic bag or cup
Add a small pinch of supplement powder
Gently shake to coat the insects
Offer the dusted insects immediately — the powder falls off quickly

Calcium Dish

Keep a small bottle cap or dish of plain calcium powder (no D3) in the enclosure at all times. Leopard geckos self-regulate their calcium intake and will lick from the dish as needed.

Feeding Schedule by Age

Age	Frequency	Amount	Insect Size
Hatchling (0-2 months)	Daily	5-7 small insects	1/4 inch
Juvenile (2-6 months)	Daily	5-8 medium insects	3/8 inch
Sub-adult (6-12 months)	Every other day	5-8 insects	1/2 inch
Adult (12+ months)	Every 2-3 days	4-6 insects	3/4 inch
Breeding female	Every other day	5-8 insects	3/4 inch

General Sizing Rule

Feeder insects should be no longer than the space between your gecko's eyes. Insects that are too large can cause choking or impaction.

Feeding Tips

Feed in the evening — leopard geckos are crepuscular and most active at dusk
Remove uneaten crickets after 15 minutes — loose crickets can bite a sleeping gecko
Vary the diet — rotate between 2-3 staple feeders for balanced nutrition
Monitor body condition — the tail should be plump but not wider than the head; a stick-thin tail indicates underfeeding; a very fat tail with visible fat pads on the belly indicates overfeeding
Track feeding — note what and how much your gecko eats to spot appetite changes early

Foods to Avoid

Fruits and vegetables — geckos cannot digest plant matter
Wild-caught insects — may carry parasites or pesticides
Lightning bugs / fireflies — toxic and fatal, even one can kill a gecko
Commercial crested gecko diet — designed for omnivorous species, not insectivores
Pinky mice — unnecessary, too fatty, and not appropriate for leopard geckos

Signs of Nutritional Problems

Rubbery or soft jaw — early sign of MBD (metabolic bone disease)
Kinked spine or limbs — advanced MBD
Tremors or shaking — calcium deficiency
Lethargy and weakness — multiple nutritional causes
Extremely thin tail — inadequate feeding or illness
Obesity — tail wider than head, fat deposits on limbs and belly

Conclusion

A healthy leopard gecko diet is straightforward: a rotation of gut-loaded, calcium-dusted feeder insects offered on an age-appropriate schedule. Dubia roaches, crickets, mealworms, and BSFL make excellent staples. Proper calcium and vitamin D3 supplementation is non-negotiable to prevent metabolic bone disease. Keep waxworms as rare treats, feed appropriately-sized insects, and monitor body condition to keep your gecko healthy for 15-20+ years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can leopard geckos eat fruits or vegetables?▾

No. Leopard geckos are strictly insectivores and cannot digest plant matter. Their digestive system is designed exclusively for insects. Never offer fruits, vegetables, or commercial gecko diets meant for omnivorous species like crested geckos.

How many crickets should I feed my leopard gecko?▾

As a general rule, offer as many appropriately-sized insects as your gecko will eat in 10-15 minutes. For juveniles this is typically 5-8 small crickets daily. For adults, 4-6 medium crickets every other day. Adjust based on body condition.

Do leopard geckos need water?▾

Yes. Always provide a shallow dish of fresh, clean water. Leopard geckos drink from standing water and may also soak. Change the water daily. Some geckos also lick water droplets from surfaces after misting.

What happens if I don't supplement calcium?▾

Without calcium supplementation, leopard geckos develop metabolic bone disease (MBD). Symptoms include rubbery jaw, kinked spine, tremors, difficulty walking, and eventually death. Calcium with D3 supplementation is non-negotiable for leopard geckos.