Geckos are cool lizards that come in many types, with over 1,600 kinds! You can find them everywhere except Antarctica. 

These lizards are special because they can climb walls and ceilings. Geckos like meat; they eat bugs, small rodents, and other critters. 

They catch their food using their tongues, especially in joints or hiding spots.

If you have a gecko pet, taking good care of it is important. You need to know what they eat, where they like to live, and what nutrients they need. 

This article talks about where geckos live, the different types of geckos and what they eat, taking care of baby geckos, and how to make sure your pet gecko is happy and healthy. 

Let’s learn more about these awesome creatures!

Habitat of Geckos

Geckos are found all over the world, from tropical rainforests to deserts and even busy cities. They’re most active at night, resting during the day to avoid predators and heat. 

Geckos like warm temperatures, and having cozy spots to bask in and cool hiding places is vital for them. 

They’re skilled climbers, often hanging out in tree hollows or rock crevices. Humidity matters, but preferences vary among species. 

The flooring in their homes, called substrate, is important for their comfort. Some geckos have adapted to city life, settling into urban areas. 

Understanding their natural habits and creating suitable habitats is crucial for their well-being, whether they’re pets or in the wild.

Types of Geckos and Their Diet

1. Leopard Geckos

These beautiful creatures, with patterns like their namesake, really enjoy eating insects.

Whether they’re exploring sandy deserts or sandy habitats, their diet includes a mix of crickets, mealworms, and waxworms. 

2. Day Geckos

These cool geckos, whether they’re big and green in Madagascar or turquoise in Mauritius, are like acrobats in trees. 

They prefer plant-based meals, enjoying leaves, flowers, and fruits. 

Their special sticky toe pads help them easily swing through the rainforest trees as they choose their next meal from the green leaves.

3. Crested Geckos

With their adorable crested heads, big eyes, and funny eyelashes, these lovable creatures are not just cute; they’re also curious eaters. 

While crickets and worms are staples in their diet, they also enjoy the occasional fruity treat, especially relishing mango, papaya, or banana puree.

4. Tokay Gecko

The Tokay Gecko, discovered in Southeast Asia, is famous for being big and making loud noises. 

These geckos have a feisty attitude and mostly munch on insects like big bugs, spiders, and even small rodents. 

They use their strong jaws and sticky tongues to catch their prey.

5. Leaf-Tailed Geckos

These geckos are masters of disguise, looking like dead leaves as they stay motionless on branches. 

They are crafty hunters, using their tails that mimic a leaf to attract insects.

 Then, with lightning-fast tongues, they capture their prey in an instant.

6. Common House Gecko 

The Common House Gecko is a small lizard found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, and it often makes appearances in our homes. 

These geckos are skilled climbers, effortlessly scaling walls and ceilings as they hunt for insects like cockroaches, termites, and flies. 

Their diet perfectly aligns with the abundance of invertebrates commonly found in human living spaces.

Now that we know about where geckos live and how their diet relates to the different kinds of geckos, the next thing to do is figure out what do geckos eat and drink all year round.

What Do Geckos Eat & Drink Throughout The Year?

1. Spring

As temperatures rise, geckos become more active during the spring season. 

Their diet shifts to include a variety of insects like crickets, mealworms, and other small invertebrates. 

They also enjoy munching on fresh spring shoots and leaves, adding a burst of vibrant green to their diet. 

Spring is a time of increased energy and feeding as geckos bounce back from potential winter lethargy.

2. Summer 

In the summer, geckos get active. The warm weather makes them hungry, and they usually eat insects. 

But sometimes, they like trying different things like dubia roaches, waxworms, and silkworms. 

Because it’s warmer, geckos move around more and become better at catching their food. Grown-up geckos might even go for bigger bugs and small rodents.

But, there’s a problem in the sunny season – they can get thirsty. 

Geckos are clever, so they drink more water, sometimes licking drops from leaves or the water inside their homes. 

Having enough water is important in the summer to help geckos stay cool and healthy.

3. Autumn 

As fall arrives and temperatures cool down, geckos might not be as hungry. 

Even though they mainly eat insects, their diet could change a bit to match the season. 

Insects become less active as it gets cooler, so keep offering them but not as often as your gecko gets ready for a slower winter.

Late in the season, you might still find fruits like apples and grapes, but be ready to switch to other foods as fruits become less available. 

It’s important to watch how much your gecko eats and adjust its diet based on its changing appetite.

4. Winter 

During winter, geckos tend to take it easy and eat less due to their slowed-down energy. 

While some tropical geckos continue to eat, others may enter a kind of nap and consume minimal food. 

Since insects are less active in winter, it’s advisable to reduce the frequency of feeding and opt for smaller prey. 

Consider trying a special winter diet for them.

Fresh fruits can be scarce during this season, so consider using commercial diets like Crested Gecko, Zoo Med Repti Breeder, or Pangea Gecko Food Complete Diets. 

These powdered diets are enriched with nutrients, offering a balanced and nutritious option, even formulated for the breeding season.

You can incorporate the commercial diet more regularly or occasionally treat them to insects with nutritional value, but be cautious not to overfeed, given their reduced activity. 

Although geckos don’t require as much water in winter, continue to offer it as usual, and you may not need to spray water as frequently.

Monitor their eating habits and check their weight to ensure they maintain good health during the winter season.

Baby Geckos Diet

When geckos are babies, it’s important for their growth and development. What do baby geckos eat at this stage affects how healthy they become. 

Since baby geckos are small and delicate, they need a special diet that’s different from what adult geckos eat.

1. Insect Variety 

Similar to grown-up geckos, the majority of baby geckos are mainly insect eaters and require a menu filled with small, live insects. 

To keep the little geckos healthy and thriving, offer a variety of small and appropriately-sized live insects such as tiny crickets, fruit flies, pinhead or small-sized mealworms, and other small invertebrates. 

This diverse mix not only provides essential nutrients but also ensures that they take advantage of all important dietary elements.

2. Bone Health Boost for Baby Geckos

Take good care of your baby geckos by giving them the right amount of calcium and vitamin D3 for strong bones and overall well-being. 

Calcium is important for their bones, and vitamin D3 helps them absorb it properly. 

Just sprinkle a reptile-specific calcium supplement lightly on their insects to make sure they get enough. 

And if your geckos are still growing, do this three times a week.

3. Supercharging Insect Nutrition

Give your gecko’s meals a nutrient boost by feeding the live insects with nutritious goodies.

Before serving them to your gecko, focus on loading up the feeder insects with fruits, veggies, or specially crafted gut-loading diets for a minimum of 24 hours. 

This guarantees that your gecko receives essential vitamins and minerals. 

Feeding the insects nutrient-rich foods like dark leafy greens, carrots, and commercial gut-loading diets substantially enhances the overall nutritional content of your gecko’s diet.

4. Caring for Your Baby Gecko’s Well-being

While baby geckos do get some hydration from their food, it’s crucial to offer a shallow dish of fresh water. 

Keep the water clean and change it regularly to ensure proper hydration. 

Additionally, closely monitor your baby gecko’s growth and overall health. 

If you observe any signs of slow growth, lethargy, or unusual behavior, seek guidance from a reptile veterinarian for appropriate care.

5. Transitioning to Adult Eats

As your baby geckos grow up, gradually mix things up by introducing larger insects into their diet. 

Watch how they react to new foods and tweak things if necessary. 

Be attentive to any changes in their eating habits or appearance.

Remember, different gecko species can have specific dietary needs, so take the time to understand what your baby gecko requires. 

Regularly check their health, provide a well-rounded diet, and consult with a reptile veterinarian for personalized advice when necessary.

How do Geckos Search For and Obtain Food?

Geckos are smart hunters! They use their excellent senses, like a keen sense of smell and sharp vision, to find food even in the dark. 

Most geckos are active at night, which helps them avoid daytime predators and find prey in the dark. 

They’re experts at surprise attacks, blending into their surroundings and patiently waiting to catch insects off guard. 

Some geckos, like the Malaysian flying gecko, can even grab insects from the air with their sticky tongues. 

Geckos are great climbers too, using special toe pads to climb walls or trees and jump down on prey. 

Some prefer searching for food on the ground. No matter where they hunt, geckos have different tricks, like stealthy stalking or patiently waiting, to adapt and get their meals.

What and How to Feed Your Pet Gecko?

Taking care of your pet gecko’s diet is crucial for their well-being. 

Different geckos, like leopard or crested geckos, have unique eating habits, so get to know what they prefer.

Geckos mainly eat live insects such as crickets, mealworms, dubia roaches, waxworms, and silkworms, which provide essential proteins and nutrients. 

Make sure the insects match your gecko’s age and size. 

Some geckos, especially omnivores like crested geckos, can benefit from special commercial gecko diets in powder or gel form.

These diets contain a mix of fruits, insects, and vitamins. Boost live insect meals by giving them nutrient-rich foods like leafy greens and carrots. 

Support bone health by adding calcium and vitamin supplements to the insects, but be careful not to overdo it. 

Keep your gecko hydrated with clean water nearby. Watch their eating habits, as changes may indicate health issues requiring a vet visit. 

Add variety to their diet with different insects and, if suitable, fruits or specialized gecko diets. Keep their feeding area clean by removing uneaten insects and washing dishes. 

Now that we understand all the details about what geckos eat, it’s important to look into the things we need to be careful about and think about when feeding them in captivity.

Health & Behavior Issues

Taking care of your gecko’s health is vital for their happiness. 

1. Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD)

Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) can happen if they don’t get enough calcium and vitamin D3, causing problems like difficulty moving and swollen limbs. 

To prevent MBD, give them a good diet with calcium supplements, and let them bask in UVB light. 

2. Respiratory infections

Respiratory infections might occur if their home lacks proper ventilation or humidity, leading to issues like difficulty breathing. 

Keep their environment humid and well-ventilated, and consult a vet if you think they have an infection. 

3. Parasites

Parasites can bother geckos too, showing up as weight loss or visible bugs. Keep their home clean, isolate new geckos, and ask a vet for deworming advice. 

4. Shedding issues

Shedding issues, like skin stuck on toes, can be solved by providing the right humidity and a good shedding box. 

5. Digestive problems

Digestive problems, causing reduced appetite or bloating, may arise from an improper diet. 

Keep their diet balanced, maintain the right temperatures, and give occasional baths for hydration. 

6. Aggression and Bullying

If you have multiple geckos, watch for bullying, like one gecko not sharing food. 

Monitor them closely, separate them if needed, and offer hiding spots. 

7. Reproductive Challenges

Female geckos may face egg-laying challenges, leading to swelling and lethargy. 

Make sure they have suitable nesting spots, watch for egg-laying signs, and get vet help if necessary.

Conclusion

Geckos are fascinating beings with specific dietary needs shaped by their habitats and species. 

Pet owners can ensure the well-being of their geckos by comprehending their natural behaviors and nutritional requirements. 

Providing proper care, a well-rounded diet, and a suitable environment are key to having a joyful and flourishing gecko companion. 

I hope this guide is helpful to you, and if you have any questions, please feel free to comment below. Thank you!

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