Leopard Gecko Feeding Chart by Age
Last updated: · Reviewed against sources listed below
This leopard gecko feeding chart shows how many insects to feed and how often at every age. Babies eat 5–7 small insects every day, juveniles 6–8 insects every other day, and adults 6–10 insects two or three times a week.
Feeding plan
- Per feeding
- How often
- Buy per week
- Insects : greens
This is the same calculator as our lizard insect feeding calculator, preset for leopard geckos.
Leopard Gecko feeding chart
Counts are per feeding for appropriately sized crickets. For mealworms use the same count; for dubia roaches use about three quarters.
| Age | Insects per feeding | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Baby 0–3 months | 5–7 | once a day |
| Juvenile 4–11 months | 6–8 | every other day |
| Adult 12+ months | 6–10 | 2–3 times a week |
How often to feed a leopard gecko
How often to feed a leopard gecko depends mostly on age. Babies up to about 3 months eat every day. Juveniles from 4 to 11 months eat every other day. Adults from 12 months eat two or three times a week. Leopard geckos store fat in their tails, so a healthy adult can easily skip a meal.
Feed in the evening, when geckos naturally hunt. Offer insects with tongs or in a smooth, shallow dish, and remove uneaten crickets so they do not bother your gecko overnight.
How many mealworms to feed a leopard gecko
Mealworms are the most popular leopard gecko feeder because they are easy to keep and do not escape. A common guide is 5–7 small mealworms per feeding for babies, 6–8 for juveniles and 6–10 for adults, which matches the chart above. Keep them in a smooth dish so they cannot burrow into the substrate.
Can leopard geckos eat mealworms only? Many do well on mealworms as a staple, but most keepers mix in crickets, dubia roaches or black soldier fly larvae for variety. Superworms and waxworms are fatty, so use them only as occasional treats for adults.
Feeding a new leopard gecko
A newly bought gecko often refuses food for the first week while it settles in. Leave it alone apart from daily checks, make sure the warm-side floor is in range, and offer a few insects every second or third evening. Most geckos start eating within one to two weeks.
Keep a simple log of what and how much your gecko eats, and weigh it once a week at first. A log makes it much easier to spot a real problem, such as steady weight loss, rather than normal pickiness. If your gecko arrived thin, or loses weight during settling in, a vet check and fecal test are a good idea.
Supplements and gut-loading
Dust insects with plain calcium at most feedings, calcium with D3 once or twice a week, and a multivitamin about once a week. If you add UVB, cut back on D3. The schedule generator spreads these across your feeding days.
Gut-load insects for 24–48 hours before feeding. Gut-loading means feeding the insects nutritious food so your gecko gets those nutrients too. Many keepers also leave a small dish of plain calcium in the enclosure.
When to call a vet
See a reptile vet if your leopard gecko refuses food for more than two weeks while losing weight, has a thinning tail, swollen or bent limbs, a soft jaw, retained shed around the eyes, or runny droppings. A healthy adult can skip food briefly, especially during breeding season or cooler months, but steady weight loss is never normal.
What leopard geckos can and can’t eat
Good foods
- Crickets (gut-loaded)
- Dubia roaches
- Mealworms
- Black soldier fly larvae
- Superworms (adults, occasionally)
- Waxworms and hornworms (occasional treats)
Avoid
- Fruit and vegetables (they cannot digest plants)
- Wild-caught insects (pesticides, parasites)
- Fireflies (toxic)
- Dead or dried insects as a staple
- Insects bigger than the space between the eyes
- Pinky mice (too fatty; not needed)
Frequently asked questions
Can leopard geckos eat mealworms only?
Many leopard geckos live well on gut-loaded, dusted mealworms as their main food. Still, a varied diet with crickets, dubia roaches or black soldier fly larvae helps balance nutrients and keeps picky eaters interested. Treat superworms and waxworms as extras.
Why is my leopard gecko not eating?
The most common reasons are temperatures that are too low, stress from a new home, an upcoming shed, breeding season or cooler months. Check the warm-side floor temperature first. If your gecko is losing weight, its tail is getting thinner, or it has not eaten for more than two weeks, see a reptile vet.
How long can leopard geckos go without food?
Healthy adults with a thick tail can go one to two weeks without food, and sometimes longer, because they store fat in the tail. Babies and juveniles have little reserve and should not go more than a few days. Any gecko that is losing weight needs a vet check.
Sources
- VCA Animal Hospitals — Leopard Geckos: Care
- ReptiFiles — Leopard Gecko Feeding
- Merck Veterinary Manual — Reptiles (Pet Owner Version)
Where sources disagree we show the range they share. See our sources and methodology for how every number is checked.