Yes, several worms are safe for leopard geckos. Such include silkworms, mealworms, hornworms, and waxworms. They have nutritional content that is ideal for the gecko. Still, it is best to gut-load them with nutrient-rich vegetables and dust them with calcium powder to ensure that the nutritional content the gecko gets is utmost.
Worms such as mealworms are readily available in pet stores and from breeders. Some are also branded as ideal for pet reptiles, but it is good to know whether they are specifically suitable for pet leopard geckos.
Below we get to look at common worms, whether or not they are ideal for leopard geckos, and their benefits and drawbacks to the pet.
The Best Worms for Leopard Geckos
Choosing the ideal worms for your leopard gecko depends on many factors, including its health status, age, and overall well-being. Even so, some worms are generally better than others, and below are some of the best worms for a leopard gecko you can choose from.
1. Mealworms
We start with one of the most common and readily available worms in most pet stores. Besides being a popular choice for easy access and affordability, mealworms are also high in protein and can last long in the fridge, giving you value for money. If you wish to breed them, they are also easy to breed.
It is best to provide your leopard gecko with live mealworms instead of freeze-dried ones. Such is because live mealworms stimulate the gecko to hunt and eat.
However, mealworms should not be offered to the pet gecko daily since they have a tough exoskeleton which can make them hard for the lizard to digest. In addition, the high protein content makes them risky as they can cause obesity.
2. Butterworms
Known as butterworms, these are the larvae stage of the Chilean moths. They are worth considering as an occasional meal because of the decent moisture and protein. Even so, they have one of the highest fat contents of all leopard gecko worms, at about 29%.
Due to the high-fat content, avoid giving baby and juvenile as they can become addictive, making the leopard gecko have a bias towards fatty insects, which will last through their maturity. A maximum of 3 butterworms a week are enough for the lizard.
3. Superworms
Like butterworms, superworms have a high-fat content of about 17%, besides being problematic for some lizards to digest. Even so, they have ideal protein levels for a leopard gecko and moderate calcium levels.
They are also easier to digest than mealworms due to the lower amount of chitin. Furthermore, superworms are easy to care for and feed the lizard since they can hardly escape.
If you are keen on gut-loading, superworms are a good choice since they are one of the easiest worms to gut-load as they are not picky eaters. To ensure that you reduce the risk of impaction, only feed your pet leopard gecko with tiny superworms since these insects can grow extremely big.
4. Silkworms
Surprising to most leopard gecko owners, silkworms greatly benefit the lizard. To begin with, they have low-fat levels and thus do not present the risk of your leopard gecko growing obese.
In addition, they have good calcium and protein levels which are great for your pet. Furthermore, they are easy to spot and remove in the gecko’s habitat to prevent overfeeding.
Whether your leopard gecko is a baby or an adult, it will easily capture silkworms since they are slow movers. The only downside with silkworms is that they are expensive.
5. Buffalo Worms
If you are looking for ideal worms for baby and juvenile leopard geckos, buffalo worms are worth considering. They are rich in proteins which comes in handy for baby gecko’s high protein needs due to their fast growth.
Even so, frequent consumption of buffalo worms can lead to gecko obesity since they are also rich in fats.
6. Waxworms
Leopard geckos can also eat worms but only as a treat. They contain average amounts of moisture and proteins for the gecko. In addition, most love these worms because of their high-fat content. On the downside, waxworms have a short lifespan and are challenging to gut load, making it hard to increase their nutritional benefits to your lizard.
7. Hornworms
Leopard geckos love hornworms which makes them a good treat meal. These worms are soft and thus do not have a risk of impaction or indigestion. In addition, tomato hornworms are also rich in moisture, hence a good source of hydration for the pet.
Since hornworms can be addictive to leopard geckos, you should only offer them as a treat. In addition, remove any uneaten hornworms from the leopard gecko’s enclosure since the lizard will continue eating them even when full.
8. Morio Worms
When giving your leopard gecko Morio worms, you must cut the head first since it can injure the lizard.
These worms are packed with proteins having about 45% protein content which is excellent for leopard geckos. Even so, they have a higher fat content of about 55%, making them only ideal as an occasional treat.
Can Leopard Geckos Eat Red Worms?
Yes, leopard geckos can eat this species of earthworms known as red worms. These worms have a high moisture content of about 85%, making them ideal for rehydrating a leopard gecko. They also have a good level of protein content at about 10.5%, which is higher than hornworms and silkworms.
Furthermore, these worms do not grow very big and thus are easy for the lizard to capture and eat without choking.
Another benefit of red worms for leopard geckos is that the worms are very rich in calcium. As such, they make an excellent addition to a low-calcium diet or when your leopard gecko is suffering from calcium deficiency.
In addition, red worms are easier for a leopard gecko to digest than other insects with a tough exoskeleton.
Even so, and as with all other leopard gecko worms, you must ensure that you get them from a reputable breeder or a pet store.
It is also worth noting that some leopard geckos do not eat red worms since they are not insects the lizard would naturally eat in the wild. If the pet ignores the red worms, worry not; there are still other nutritious insects, as seen above, that you can offer the lizard.
Giving the lizard red worms once or twice a week is enough.
Can Leopard Geckos Eat Calci Worms?
Calci worms, sometimes called Euroworms, are a larvae stage of CalciGrubs. They are pretty common in spring and found under decaying wood or leaves. They are a good choice for leopard geckos because they are pretty rich in calcium. In addition, they have decent protein levels but not as high as most other worms above.
Can Leopard Geckos Eat Dead Worms?
No, leopard geckos should not be given dead worms or any other dead insects. Most of them have a lower moisture content, making it harder for the gecko to digest.
In addition, wild dead insects can also harbor parasites, chemicals or bacteria, and fungi. Furthermore, it is impossible to increase the worms’ nutritional value by gut-loading them.
Can Leopard Geckos Eat Wild Worms?
No, wild worms are unsuitable for leopard geckos. Such are exposed to toxins in items such as pesticides and fertilizers. In addition to parasites, harmful bacteria and fungi can make your pet leopard gecko very sick or even kill it.
What Is Toxic to Leopard Geckos?
Anything other than insects, including fruits, vegetables, and human foods, is unsuitable for leopard geckos. In addition, glowing, dead, or wild insects are also unideal for the lizard as they might cause severe illness.
If you are still unsure what to give your leopard gecko, consult an exotic vet for the lizard’s ideal foods and feeding schedule.