YES, leopard geckos can eat various isopod species. They benefit from the high protein and calcium content in most isopods. Even so, some leopard geckos do not like the taste of isopods and their crunchy nature; hence they avoid them. Should you opt to provide isopods to your leopard gecko, only do so as an occasional treat.
Isopods are tiny creatures not growing bigger than half an inch. They are closely related to shrimp, and crabs are known to be scavengers feeding on pretty much everything they come across, ranging from decaying leaves and wood to mold.
Benefits of Isopods for Leopard Geckos
Rich in Calcium
Isopods are rich in calcium which is great for leopard geckos of all ages. The high calcium content makes them even more ideal for egg-laying females and those geckos with calcium deficiency. While beneficial, it is common for most male leopard geckos to ignore isopods.
Easy to Gut Load
Isopods are not picky eaters and hence easy to gut load. Feeding them healthy, protein-rich, calcium-rich and safe vegetables and fruits within 24 hours before giving them to the lizard ensures that your pet lizard gets the same nutrients when it eats them.
Gut-loading helps increase the nutritional benefits of providing isopods to your leopard gecko.
Acts as Bioactive Cleaners
Besides being rich in calcium and easy to gut-load, isopods can also benefit your leopard gecko’s habitat by acting as bioactive cleaners. As such, they help keep the gecko’s tank hygienic and prevent the build-up of waste by consuming food leftovers and fecal matter.
If you are adding isopods to the tank for bioactive cleaning, below are a few tips to ensure that you achieve this.
- Provide a source of food. Besides the fecal materials and insects, you also need to provide the isopods with fruits and vegetables as it helps keep them active and healthy.
- Provide a hiding spot. A hiding area such as a hide, log or bark provides isopods with a place to retreat when they feel threatened.
Drawbacks of Isopods for Leopard Geckos
They Have Chitin
Most isopods have a tough exoskeleton made of chitin which is hard for leopard geckos to digest. Such can cause impaction, a blockage of the digestive tract, leading to difficulties in eating and swallowing and causing general discomfort.
Best Isopods for Leopard Geckos
Various isopod species are fit for a leopard gecko. The best includes giant African millipedes and dwarf white isopods since they are a reliable source of nutrients for the gecko. Besides nourishing the pet lizard, they are also bioactive and help keep the gecko’s tank clean.
As the name suggests, Dwarf white isopods are tiny, thus a good choice for baby and juvenile leopard geckos. They are also easy to care for. On the other hand, giant African millipedes are bigger than dwarf white isopods, thus more ideal for adult leopard geckos.
While both have good nutrition for your pet lizards, it is best that you gut load these isopods with nutrients rich vegetables and dust them with calcium powder before offering them to your leopard gecko.
You may also consider powdered orange or giant orange isopods if you live in a dry place. Rolly pollies, also known as pill bugs, are also suitable isopods for leopard geckos.
How Often Should I Give My Leopard Gecko Isopods?
A few isopods are enough for a leopard gecko weekly. Although rich in calcium, isopods do not have optimal calcium levels for a leopard gecko. Thus, in addition to dusting and gut-loading them, you should mix them with other suitable insects, such as crickets and dubia roaches.
Should your leopard gecko not eat all the isopods you offer, you may leave the extra ones in the tank for bio-active cleaning.
Even so, there are cases of leopard gecko owners complaining that their geckos are ignoring other insects and only eating isopods. Should you experience this, remove the isopods from the tank and offer a variety of other insects.
How to Store Isopods for Leopard Geckos?
We have already established that you should only offer isopods from credible sources, not from the wild.
When you receive isopods, transfer them from the container into a clear bag with a hole for aeration. The bag should also have a moist substrate, as isopods thrive in such an environment. Where you keep the bag should also be warm but away from sunlight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Isopods Harm Leopard Geckos?
No, isopods do not harm leopard geckos, and they are not toxic. All you need to do is first ensure that you source them from reputable sources since wild isopods can carry harmful substances to a leopard gecko. Dead isopods can also harm your gecko by poisoning it.
What Should I Not Give My Leopard Gecko?
You should not give your leopard gecko anything they do not eat in the wild. Such include meats, vegetables, fruits, human foods, and venomous, dead and wild insects. Check with the pet store or breeder from whom you get the pet on the ideal and readily available foods for the lizard.
Do Leopard Geckos Drink Water?
Leopard geckos need moisture, and they get most of it from the insects they eat. Although you will hardly see the lizard drink water from a bowl, you should still provide clean, fresh water for the lizard. The bowl should be stable and shallow to prevent the leopard gecko from drowning as it explores the enclosure.
Conclusion
Isopods are not dangerous or toxic to leopard geckos. They are rich in calcium, and you can enhance their nutritional benefit for the lizard by gut-loading them with nutrients rich vegetables.
In addition, isopods are suitable for leopard geckos since they keep the tank clean by consuming waste. Even so, you should not regularly provide isopods to your leopard geckos since they contain chitin, which can cause impaction if consumed in plenty.