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Can Leopard Geckos Eat Isopods? Is That Okay?

can leopard geckos eat isopods?

Even though Leopard Geckos are insectivores, some owners consider isopods as nutritious, healthy, and desirable food. The question is – Can Leopard Geckos eat isopods or at least those several dozen species cultivated in captivity and sold as lizard food?

You can feed your Leopard Gecko with land isopods, like sowbugs, potato bugs, and pill bugs. These crustaceans’ exoskeleton is packed with calcium crucial for keeping your Leo’s bones strong. However, you should not offer them as primary food.

Providing healthy ingredients for your Gecko is vital. This article will show you why occasional feeding your Gecko with isopods is beneficial.

Can Leopard Geckos Eat Isopods?

Even though Leopard Geckos can eat any of approximately 10,000 known isopod species, some avoid these creatures because of their unappealing taste.

Some owners believe that they are crunchy and too hard for small lizards and often neglect this food source.

Nowadays, you can find packed live isopods in online shops and many pet stores. Keep in mind that they need to be alive when deciding to use them as food for your Leopard Gecko.

Always offer only a few isopods at a time and be present during feeding.

Some owners claim that these creatures may bite and injure young Leos under certain circumstances. However, it is not officially confirmed, plus other experiences are more positive.

Unlike crickets, it seems that isopods won’t attack even old and debilitated lizards.

Are Isopods Nutritious and Beneficial for Your Leopard Gecko?

No one can tell you how beneficial isopods are for your Gecko since there is still no relevant scientific research regarding this topic.

Some owners believe crustaceans are valuable for their Leos and help them digest food more efficiently.

Based on empirical knowledge, it is possible to say that these crustaceans are safe for your Gecko even though they have an exoskeleton made of chitin and protein molecules.

In fact, calcium content is an excellent addition to the lizard’s meal. Some exotic vets recommend adding a few isopods in every seventh meal to balance calcium and phosphorus naturally.

These minerals are a probable reason why females in breeding season look for this food type. However, males often ignore isopods at any time.

On the other hand, you can find Leopard Gecko owners who claim that isopods are responsible for their pets’ health issues. These creatures may cause intestinal blockages in some cases, but it typically happens after excessive use.

In general, you can offer isopods to your Leo, but be careful and limit their share in the diet. Always check your pet’s behavior after such a meal and monitor its health for possible adverse effects.

Are There Any Dangers of Feeding Your Leopard Gecko with Isopods?

Basically, isopods are not dangerous and won’t hurt your Leopard Gecko. However, feeding it with dead isopods can be questionable, particularly if you collect them in the garden.

In some cases, these crustaceans are packed with insecticides and can indirectly harm your Leo’s health.

Plus, the results of one study show that invertebrate prey, including isopods, bioaccumulate lead from food in their bodies.

will leopard geckos eat isopods?

How to feed Your Leopard Gecko with Isopods?

As you know, your Gecko needs to intake calcium regularly to stronger its bones. So feeding only isopods is definitely not optimal.

The best food rich in calcium you can offer to it is hornworms or black soldier fly larvae plus isopods, but you should never offer crustaceans daily.

It will be enough to add a few adults to the menu once a week or let them live in your bioactive tank so that your leo can eat them from time to time as we explain below.

Note: Even though some feeder insects are higher in calcium, you should still dust feeder insects with calcium powder.

Isopods as the Ultimate Bioactive Cleaners

Besides offering isopods as food to your Leo, you should consider their capability of bioactive cleaning its tank. The so-called clean-up crew is a popular new discovery in the lizard world.

You can expect these decomposers to consume Leopard Gecko fecal material and vegetable matter. That way, crustaceans prevent waste from building up in the tank and have an immeasurable impact on ecosystem balance.

How To Store Isopods As Food For Leopard Geckos

Isopods are easy-to-raise, and many Leopard Gecko owners grow them as affordable food rich in nutrients, primarily minerals.

Since they require minimal care, there is no need to spend too much time on their care. It will be enough to buy a tank with a perforated lid to provide adequate ventilation.

Feed isopods on schedule and never expose them to direct sunlight. It is vital to regularly mist their tank and keep the temperature ranging from 68 to 72 F (20 – 22.2 C).

The excellent thing is that you can use the same tank for keeping both isopods and insects you want to offer to your Gecko. For instance, millipedes, Bessie beetles, and springtails have similar care requirements as crustaceans.

However, you should avoid adding predatory insects in the same tank, particularly praying mantises and centipedes.

Conclusion

Even though isopods provide nutrients that your Leopard Gecko can’t get from other insects, you should be prepared that your lizards may refuse to eat them. On the other hand, you can use these creatures as scavengers in the terrarium.

Isopods will keep the place clean, plus your Leo can nibble one or two as treats when it wishes. Since crustaceans are an excellent source of calcium, keeping them inside can be a practical solution.

Pierre And The ReptileCraze Team
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