How do I correctly feed a baby leopard gecko?
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Q&A: How do I correctly feed a baby leopard gecko?
I’m planning on getting a baby leopard gecko, but I want to be educated on how to feed it properly before I get one. I know they eat meal worms, but how many at a time and how many times a week? Also, I know they need calcium, and saw online people were talking about “coating” the food in calcium, can someone tell me exactly how to do this? One more thing, is sand okay to put in as substrate? I don’t want to do anything wrong to it.
The following is the answer:
Answer by missydanser
Leopard geckos can sometimes eat their substrate so make sure it is edible and the best would be something with calcium in it. They will eat until they are full and then stop so you don’t have to worry about over feeding. Juveniles must be fed every day and adults every other day. I would drop maybe 4-5 small mealworms in the cage and see how your gecko does. Pet stores usually sell a calcium powder that you can just sprinkle on top of the food it’s very easy. Good Luck!
Answer by HI
First of all, sand is very bad for leopard geckos, especially babies. They can swallow the sand, and it forms a clump in their instestines, which can be fatal if not treated correctly. Calcium sand is even worse, because it’s specifically made to form clumps. The best substrates for leos are paper towels, Repticarpet, tile, and non-adhesive shelf liner. I use shelf liner, and I love it because it’s inexpensive, safe, and you can find it at Walmart. Plus it comes in natural-looking colors like tan and brown.
For juvenile geckos, feed them 3-5 mealworms every day to every other day. You need to gutload the mealworms, because it increases their nutritional value. To do that, just put the worms in a bowl with some oatmeal, and then a little bit of some kind of vegetable like carrots or celery. Let the worms feed on this for at least 24 hours before feeding them to your gecko. Then, when you’re ready to feed, put the mealworms in a plastic bag with some calcium powder and shake it to coat them with the powder. This ensures that your gecko will get enough calcium to prevent weak bones.
Good luck with your gecko, they’re a lot of fun! 
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If you get calcium sand wet, watch what happens – it turns into a big hard lump. When the gecko eats it, it’s going to mix with stomach fluid, and turn into a big hard lump, and they’re not going to be able to digest it properly. Tile, paper towel or reptile carpet should be the only substrates you use.