Sweetseraph
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Repashy Crested Gecko Diet
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"Jumbo" mealworms...worms on steroids?
- Thread starter SquamishSerpents
- Start date
Repashy Crested Gecko Diet
RosieReal
New member
I was under the impression that even with the CGD that its still reccomended to feed a few insects a couple times a week...perhaps that was as treats, but not necessary? I guess I'm a little fuzzy. Sorry for hijacking this thread a little!
lol Wade's wife knows exactly what I'm all about with the crickets. I'm not afraid. I could kill them with my thumb by the thousands. But if I see one on my arm, I want to wash the area in napalm and rinse with bleach. They really gross me out. lol...it does seem like too big a reaction for bugs though, hey?
lol Wade's wife knows exactly what I'm all about with the crickets. I'm not afraid. I could kill them with my thumb by the thousands. But if I see one on my arm, I want to wash the area in napalm and rinse with bleach. They really gross me out. lol...it does seem like too big a reaction for bugs though, hey?
bekers71
What addiction?!
Cresteds, if fed the crested gecko diet, never have to have insects. They can live perfectly healthy lives with out them. There have been times, months at a time, I just can't get insects. The closest place to me to buy them is at least an hour away. All of my geckos did just fine, gained weight and still shed. The cgd has all the nutrients in it that they need including calcium. The only reason for dusting the insects you do feed them that day is because they may not eat any cgd afterward. So you are making up for missed calcium. I hate crickets, they stink. When I buy them I buy 1000 at a time and can't wait for them to be gone. This is why I am switching over to dubia roaches this week. A LOT less hassle and practically no smell.
RosieReal
New member
Thanks so much! Thats good to know. If they could be kept without having crickets play a major role, its just one more reason to get one XD
SquamishSerpents
Katia
crested geckos are known to like ... apricot? baby food. i THINK it's apricot. not sure how nutritional it is for them, though. never owned or had any experience with those guys.
pgr8dnlvr
An obsolete oldie...
Just wanted to say that three of the leopard gecko breeders who I admire the most and have been doing this the longest feed their leos almost exclusively on mealworms. They are Phillip de Vosjoli, Ron Tremper, and Garrick Demayer. I am only on my fourth year as a breeder so I know I can't be a judge on longterm health of geckos fed mealies through their life, but in the five years I've been doing it I feel very happy with the results. They sure seem VERY healthy compared to many others leos I have seen, and people like Ron Tremper have been at this I think longer than most everyone.
The trick I feel is to really concentrate on feeding those mealworms well and rotate their foods. I feed everything I can including things like Nori <seaweed> spirulina, bee pollen, powdered milk, rolled oats, chick mash, fish food, dog food, cat food, tons of assorted dark leafy greens, carrots, yams, sweet potatos, just EVERYTHING I can find that I would think of as nutritious.
I keep mealies available in the leo's bowls at all times and yes, they have a seperate bowl for calcium. When leos are young they have vitamins sprinkled on the worms as well. I have never had a female with a calcium crash or any other signs of calcium deficiencies.
I'm just not a fan of crickets, unless you have the time to individually feed one or two crickets at a time per lizard, crickets can start wandering around the cage and eating lizard feces or trying to get moisture from the geckos eyes or just basically escaping and getting all over the house. It doesn't seem to appetizing for me to have a cricket munching on the poop, then being gobbled up for another go round through the lizards gut, though yeah, it likely does no harm... I also wonder if the crickets have more parasites than mealworms? I have no scientific data to back up that claim mind you, that part is all hear-say.....
As for the giant mealworms. I don't think it's steroids they give them. I have been told by huge mealworm farms that I buy in bulk from that they are actually just sprayed with an inhibitor of some sort that makes it so their body will not/can not pupate. It basically turns off that part of their brain/nervous system. I'm not sure how natural this is and if it's just a natural insect hormone or some sort or some chemical concoction? I'm betting the latter though so I'd rather not feed giant mealies myself.
As for the kingworms, Garrick DeMayer of Crestedgecko.com told me he had done some lengthy trials using them as a food source and there was a much lower rate of leos that would take these than just mealworms, over the long term it was not economically feasible though he does feed them still occasionally. He's a good guy and ridiculously helpful to all new hobbyists by the way!
If people have more questions on feeding mealworms excusively I would highly recommend emailing Ron Tremper or Garrick DeMayer, professionals who depend on healthy, successful animals for their livings..
Anywho, that's just my 2 cents..
Rebecca
The trick I feel is to really concentrate on feeding those mealworms well and rotate their foods. I feed everything I can including things like Nori <seaweed> spirulina, bee pollen, powdered milk, rolled oats, chick mash, fish food, dog food, cat food, tons of assorted dark leafy greens, carrots, yams, sweet potatos, just EVERYTHING I can find that I would think of as nutritious.
I keep mealies available in the leo's bowls at all times and yes, they have a seperate bowl for calcium. When leos are young they have vitamins sprinkled on the worms as well. I have never had a female with a calcium crash or any other signs of calcium deficiencies.
I'm just not a fan of crickets, unless you have the time to individually feed one or two crickets at a time per lizard, crickets can start wandering around the cage and eating lizard feces or trying to get moisture from the geckos eyes or just basically escaping and getting all over the house. It doesn't seem to appetizing for me to have a cricket munching on the poop, then being gobbled up for another go round through the lizards gut, though yeah, it likely does no harm... I also wonder if the crickets have more parasites than mealworms? I have no scientific data to back up that claim mind you, that part is all hear-say.....
As for the giant mealworms. I don't think it's steroids they give them. I have been told by huge mealworm farms that I buy in bulk from that they are actually just sprayed with an inhibitor of some sort that makes it so their body will not/can not pupate. It basically turns off that part of their brain/nervous system. I'm not sure how natural this is and if it's just a natural insect hormone or some sort or some chemical concoction? I'm betting the latter though so I'd rather not feed giant mealies myself.
As for the kingworms, Garrick DeMayer of Crestedgecko.com told me he had done some lengthy trials using them as a food source and there was a much lower rate of leos that would take these than just mealworms, over the long term it was not economically feasible though he does feed them still occasionally. He's a good guy and ridiculously helpful to all new hobbyists by the way!
If people have more questions on feeding mealworms excusively I would highly recommend emailing Ron Tremper or Garrick DeMayer, professionals who depend on healthy, successful animals for their livings..
Anywho, that's just my 2 cents..
Rebecca
Last edited:
RosieReal
New member
When you talk about introducing all that great stuff in their diet, are you feeding whole/raw foods chopped up, or is it cooked/mashed/smoothie style? How do you offer these things? It sounds like your geckos eat better than I do! I suddenly find myself wondering if bee pollin is as yummy as its starting to sound...
Did the OP get the answer desired? I'm afraid I dont even remember the origional question...lol
_skittles_
New member
Correct, Nanci. I am starting my own meal worm colony at home...just got some beetles! Apples, chicken mash, rolled oats and wheat germ for mine.
Also, Leopard Geckos do not need UVB, they are nocturnal.
Also, Leopard Geckos do not need UVB, they are nocturnal.
RosieReal
New member
:roflmao: that makes so much more sence...I was all like "I've not read that yet, but maybe I'm still missing something"
Thanks for the clarification, Nanci. Although...I should have been reading more carefully.
oke: lol
wade
Save The Humans
:roflmao: that makes so much more sence...I was all like "I've not read that yet, but maybe I'm still missing something"
Thanks for the clarification, Nanci. Although...I should have been reading more carefully.
Rosie, you're so cute. I could just hug you. :licklips: