Dusting food for a leopard gecko

[Deliverme314]

So I got a rescue gecko yesterday... and havent been able to find info about what to dust with. So I bought a straight calcium suppliment as well as a multivitamin. Both are Rep-Cal products.

The Calcium is phosphorus free but says it has Vitamin D3.

The multi is called herptivite and has to many to list. but does contain a substantial amount of calcium.

My question is; Do I need both? Or just one? My Local petshop said I could return either if I did not need them. As they were uninformed as to which I needed.

Thnaks

 

[moricollins]

I'd go with Herptivite, i havent had leopard geckos, but i thnk they would require the additional vitamins/minerals/nutrients that are in that, as compared to the calcium supplement.

 

[WhyTeDraGon]

Those are perfect, that is what I used. I dusted my crickets with it 2-3 times a week (calcium) and once a week (herptivite). Be sure to not overuse the herptivite, as it is a vitamin, and can easily be overdosed.

But those are some of the best to use, you shouldn't have a problem.

 

[Deliverme314]

Those are perfect, that is what I used. I dusted my crickets with it 2-3 times a week (calcium) and once a week (herptivite). Be sure to not overuse the herptivite, as it is a vitamin, and can easily be overdosed.

But those are some of the best to use, you shouldn't have a problem.

Right on. Thanks.

So what two or three crickets 4 or 5 times a week? Its an adult male... I would say arooound 8-9" tip to tail.

I have it in a ten gal on top of one of my aquarium light fixtures which has the tank at exactly 87 degrees. I will invest in a light or heat pad or something this weekend to give a gradiant of 90 and room temp. Has a hide and water dish. I intend to upgrade to a 20 in a little while and create an interactive scape for him to climb on and hide in (yes it will include a high humidity hide for molting and such) but still be easily cleaned. And probobly will get him a lady friend or two.

Any specific does and do nots for this beginner?

 

[WhyTeDraGon]

8-9" is pretty big for a normal leo, most of mine didnt get but 7" MAX. Unless you have a giant of course.

Leave a bowl of calcium in the cage at all times, he will lick this up as needed....along with regular cricket dusting.

Offer about 10-15 per day or every other day. Or as much as he'll eat at that. The bigger the tail, the better. It is very hard to overfeed a Leo. Or just leave a bowl of mealworms in the cage at all times, sprinkled with a bit of calcium (this is what I did).

~Crystal

 

[Deliverme314]

8-9" is pretty big for a normal leo, most of mine didnt get but 7" MAX. Unless you have a giant of course.

Leave a bowl of calcium in the cage at all times, he will lick this up as needed....along with regular cricket dusting.

Offer about 10-15 per day or every other day. Or as much as he'll eat at that. The bigger the tail, the better. It is very hard to overfeed a Leo. Or just leave a bowl of mealworms in the cage at all times, sprinkled with a bit of calcium (this is what I did).

~Crystal

It is big... but if you say 7 is real large I might be over exaggerating. I will try and get a better measurement tonight. I doubt it is under 7 inches.

That many crickets?! Good grief... I had no idea. How do you keep meal worms? I know this is a dumb a$$ question but I never have had too. In the fridge? That is how they sell them...

Will leos like worms? Regular red ones? What are some other critters to keep around that dont require attention... I have a B.Dubia colony for my Ts... i assume he will like those too...

 

[Deliverme314]

oh yeah... thanks for the advice on the calcium and all. Just leave like a milk top with some in it at all times?

 

[WhyTeDraGon]

oh yeah... thanks for the advice on the calcium and all. Just leave like a milk top with some in it at all times?

Yes, that'll work.

And as far as mealworms, they are very easy to keep. If you dont want them to morph into beetles (not feedable), then keep them in the fridge after gutloading them for 24 hours after purchasing them.
Go to www.grubco.com, and you can order them by the 1000's pretty darn cheap!

Mealworms are so much easier and cheaper to keep than crickets...but you'll find that some geckos get bored with mealworms constantly, so you may have to switch occasionally. Or not, depends on the gecko.

Red worms?? No, just simple mealworms. No earthworms or redworms or anything like that.

~Crystal

 

[CIRE]

Superworms are great for leos...

 

[WhyTeDraGon]

Superworms are great for leos...

If they'll take them, most of my leos were intimidated by their size, lol.
I must admit I was too!

 

[Deliverme314]

So I am completley in love with this guy. I just fed him five mature crickets and watching him hunt is so much fun. He does this lil tail shake right before the plunge. Its adorable.

So Crystal,
I did measure him and he is above 8 inches. Almost 8 and half nose to tail.

Also I made a dusting mixture of roughly 1 part multi vitamin three parts straight Ca. Is that ok? And should I use this everytime I feed? Should I add more Ca to the mix? Or should I only do seperate dustings?

 

[WhyTeDraGon]

I would just dust them seperate. That sounds like enough for one dusting per week, and then 2 more dustings of JUST calcium...just enough to cover the crickets with will be fine.

8" is pretty big, but I believe it. Dont know if he's a giant from 8"....or if he'll grow into one. Probably just a larger normal.

Hope you enjoy him

~Crystal

 

[xelda]

9-10" sounds pretty normal for an adult size if it's including the tail.

I agree with Crystal. The RepCal supplements are among the best. Since he's an adult, you only need to dust with just the calcium every 2-3 feedings, and then dust with the Herptivite once every 1-2 weeks.

Like any animal, leos can get overweight. It's fine to feed them mealworms and supers, but keep in mind that these are twice as fattening as crickets and require no physical effort to catch at all. Crickets and roaches are a more nutritious alternative and allow him to exercise his hunting skills. You only need to feed about about 1/2 a dozen large crickets every other day, or maybe 2-3 everyday if you like to feed him everyday.

 

[WhyTeDraGon]

Ron Tremper offers Giants on his site. His largest being Moose, who is 11 3/8" long....longest Giant on record. (tail included)
My normals have never gotten above 7", and even that was rare for me (tail included).

9-10", including tail, is pretty darn big for a normal.
Not saying it doesnt happen, if so...I have no idea. But I wouldnt call it "normal"

~Crystal

 

[Deliverme314]

who is ron temper?

I assume a herp dealer...

 

[WhyTeDraGon]

www.leopardgecko.com

Produced the first Tremper Albino's, and Giants....as far as im aware...I could be wrong. But that's his site,..should tell you more.

~Crystal

 

[xelda]

9-10", including tail, is pretty darn big for a normal.

Not really. I have adults that size that aren't even over 100 grams.

 

[eksong]

I wouldn't say 8 inches is very odd. My 2 year old female is about 7 1/2" but my 2 yearling males are slightly over 8".

Oh yeah, as for the original question, I am sure it is fine. I use the Herpivite mixture myself but I see no difference in the two brands. I use mealworms and superworms almost exclusively (with the occasional pinky mouse for the femme).

 

[WhyTeDraGon]

not "odd", but I wouldn't say 9-10 inches as "normal" either.

~Crystal

 

[Washout]

You guys are making me sad that I have to wait another week for my geckos to get here. I ordered 3 from Ron and can't wait for them to arrive!