Yes, leopard geckos can eat rolly pollies. This is because they are rich in calcium vital to leopard gecko’s growth and development. Even so, rolly pollies are only ideal for occasional food but not a staple diet primarily because of the high amount of chitin they contain.
Roly pollies primarily get their name because of how they curl up, forming a ball when under threat or disturbed. They have an armor-like shell and, when curled up, form an oval shape. Further, they hardly grow big, only attaining a length of three-quarters an inch.
You are likely to come across these isopods in your garden during the warm weather, and while you might want to provide them to your pet gecko, here’s what you need to know first.
Benefits of Rolly Pollies For Leopard Geckos
Although they are not insects, rolly pollies are worth considering for the reptile. Here are the nutritional benefits of adding rolly pollies to your gecko’s diet.
Source Of Calcium
The exoskeleton of pill bugs is rich in calcium. Thus, these isopods are an ideal source of this vital mineral for your leopard gecko. They are, therefore, a good choice, especially if your leopard gecko has calcium deficiency or if your female leopard gecko is about to breed.
Calcium supports the effective growth and development of bones in leopard geckos and egg formation in mature females. Thus, adding pill bugs to the gecko’s diet is beneficial.
Easy To Gut-load
Unlike some insects, rolly pollies are easy to gut-load. This is because they are great scavengers and eat almost anything and everything they come across, whether dead or alive.
As such, it is easy to gut-load them. Therefore, rolly pollies are an excellent way of passing vital nutrients, minerals, and vitamins into your leopard gecko from foods they would ordinarily not eat, such as veggies.
Disadvantages Of Rolly Pollies For Leopard Geckos
Even though these pill bugs have benefits for your pet geckos, they also have the below drawbacks, which is why they are only suitable as an occasional food for a leopard gecko.
Impaction
The exoskeleton of rolly pollies has plenty of chitin; thus, your leopard gecko might be unable to digest them effectively.
Such can lead to blockage in the gecko’s digestive system, which is uncomfortable for the pet lizard. To avoid this, you should occasionally provide the lizard with only a few rolly pollies.
Risk Of Insecticides And Herbicides
You should only provide your leopard’s gecko with live rolly pollies. However, even when they live, they may carry herbicides or insecticides, mainly if you collect them from your garden. These chemicals are harmful to the lizard and can cause severe illnesses.
In addition, the gecko might bioaccumulate lead, a toxic metal to leopard geckos. Rolly pollies might also have other dangerous materials because they eat almost everything they come in contact with.
Tips On How To Store Rolly Pollies
Wild rolly pollies might carry toxic chemicals; as such, it is best to rear them or get them from a reputable pet store or breeder. It helps ensure that the isopods are toxins-free and will ultimately benefit your leopard gecko. If you can, you may also rear them at home since they are easy to care for and raise.
Once you get the live rolly pollies, put them in a plastic container with holes and a wet substrate. Next, place the container with the rolly pollies in a cool space away from direct sunlight.
After that, you will need to monitor the warmth to ensure that it does not fall below 68 degrees Fahrenheit or go beyond 72 degrees Fahrenheit and mist the container frequently.
In terms of feeding, there are a variety of foods, including fruits and vegetables; you can give the rolly pollies since they are not picky eaters. The choice is yours.
How To Feed Your Leopard Gecko With Rolly Pollies?
Take several pill bugs and place them in the gecko’s feeding dish. Remove what the gecko does not eat within 15 minutes. Your gecko might also not eat the rolly pollies because their taste is not attractive, which is okay.
Since they are also bioactive, you can let them stay in the tank a little longer as they clean it up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Geckos Eat Isopods?
Most geckos can eat isopods. Even so, not all enjoy the majority of isopod varieties because of their bland taste.
Therefore, you may offer your gecko a few to see if it eats. However, since isopods are an occasional meal, do not force the lizard to eat them; it will not lose much by not having isopods in its diet.
What Is Poisonous To Leopard Geckos?
Dead insects are poisonous to leopard geckos and so are wild ones since they often carry parasites and chemicals. Furthermore, lighting insects are also toxic to the lizard and those with poisonous secretions, such as scorpions and centipedes.
Finally, since leopard geckos feed on insects, fruits and veggies are also not ideal for the reptile.
Which Bugs Can A Leopard Gecko Eat?
Leopard geckos can eat various insects, including crickets, dubia roaches, black soldier larvae fly, superworms, wax worms, butterworms, and beetles.
As a rule of thumb, the best insects for leopard geckos should be rich in calcium, have as little chitin as possible, and have moderate amounts of moisture, fat, and proteins.