What do crested geckos eat?

CGD as staple

The modern crested gecko diet revolution started with commercial crested gecko diet (CGD) — a complete powdered food mixed with water that meets all the nutritional needs of crested geckos without supplementation. Per the Pangea CGD reference and the ReptiFiles crested gecko care guide, CGD is the standard staple for captive crested geckos worldwide.

Why CGD works:

• Nutritionally complete — calcium, vitamins, protein, fat, carbohydrates all in proper ratios.
• No supplementation needed — CGD already contains calcium with D3 and multivitamins.
• Variety of flavours — most brands offer fruit-based flavours geckos accept readily.
• Long shelf life as dry powder — mix as needed.
• Backed by research — Pangea, Repashy and Zoo Med have all developed CGD based on Correlophus ciliatus nutritional research.

The CGD brands

All three brands are nutritionally complete. Most experienced keepers rotate between 2–3 brands or flavours for variety. Some geckos prefer specific flavours; if your gecko refuses one, try another.

How to mix CGD

Standard protocol:

1. Measure powder — usually 1–2 teaspoons depending on gecko size.
2. Add room-temperature water at 2 parts water to 1 part powder by volume.
3. Stir to thick pudding consistency. Adjust thicker or thinner based on gecko preference.
4. Place in shallow feeding bowl — small ceramic bowls or reptile-specific feeding ledges.
5. Position bowl at gecko height — branch level, near a resting spot.
6. Discard uneaten CGD after 24 hours — it dries out and develops bacterial growth.

A typical adult gecko eats 1–2 teaspoons of mixed CGD per feeding. Juveniles eat smaller portions more frequently.

Feeding cadence

Over-feeding adults causes obesity. Track weight weekly to ensure the cadence is right for your individual gecko.

Insects — optional

Crested geckos can live healthy full lives on CGD alone. Insects are a beneficial supplement, not a necessity. Reasons to offer insects 1–2 times a week:

• Enrichment. Active hunting behaviour stimulates the gecko.
• Variety. Reduces feeder boredom on CGD-only diets.
• Protein boost. Some keepers find that supplemental insect feeding produces brighter colors and more active behaviour.
• Natural behaviour. Crested geckos in the wild eat both fruit and insects.

Best insect options:

Size rule: no wider than the gap between the gecko's eyes. Dust with calcium with D3 (light dust) immediately before offering.

Diet mistakes to avoid

Common errors that cause health problems over months:

• Baby food as staple. Lacks proper calcium, vitamins, protein. Causes MBD over months.
• Fruit-only diet. Inadequate calcium, excess sugar, not balanced. Causes nutritional deficiency.
• Unsupplemented insect-only diet. Causes calcium deficiency and MBD.
• Mealworms as staple. Hard chitin, poor calcium, hard to digest.
• Daily insect feedings. Causes obesity, especially in adults.
• Old CGD left out for days. Dries out, develops bacteria, refused.
• Generic "gecko food." Not formulated for crested geckos; often nutritionally inadequate.

The simplest correct approach: CGD as staple, insects as occasional supplement, no other dietary additions.

Fresh fruit as occasional treat

Small amounts of fresh ripe fruit work as occasional treats:

• Mango, papaya, fig, banana — favourites for most crested geckos.
• Berries in small amounts.
• Skip: citrus (too acidic), avocado (toxic), grapes (high sugar).
• Frequency: 1–2 small pieces every 1–2 weeks, no more.

Don't substitute fruit for CGD. The fruit flavouring in CGD already includes appropriate fruit nutrition in proper ratios.

What healthy crested gecko nutrition looks like

Signs the diet is working:

• Steady weight gain in juveniles — should reach adult weight (35–60 g) by 18 months.
• Stable weight in adults.
• Full muscular tail base — visibly rounded, not thin.
• Active alert behaviour at night — hunting, exploring.
• Regular shedding without retained patches.
• Regular defecation.
• Healthy bright skin colors.

Concerning signs:

• Weight loss or no gain.
• Visible spine, thin tail base.
• Lethargy outside normal day-rest pattern.
• Retained shed every cycle.
• Irregular pooping or constipation.
• Dulled colors.

Track weight weekly. The chart tells the diet story far better than any single observation.

Hatchling specifics

Hatchling crested geckos under 5 g have specific dietary needs:

• Mix CGD slightly thinner for easier licking.
• Offer daily, fresh portions — small bowls.
• Place CGD bowl at hatchling height — they may not climb to branch-level bowls yet.
• Small dusted insects 1–2 times a week if you offer them at all (some keepers wait until 10 g+ to offer insects).
• Daily weight monitoring for the first month — hatchlings should gain steadily.

When feeding goes wrong

For refusal troubleshooting, see crested gecko not eating. Most refusals trace to:

• Recent rehoming (1–2 weeks of refusal is common).
• CGD too thick or too thin.
• Flavour preference.
• Old/stale CGD.
• Cool temperatures (below 70 °F).
• Stress from environment changes.

The summary framing

Crested geckos thrive on commercial CGD as staple, offered fresh 3 times a week. Insects 1–2 times a week are an optional supplement, not a requirement. Don't substitute baby food, fruit alone, or unsupplemented insects. Don't dust the CGD. Track weight weekly. Get those right and crested gecko nutrition becomes one of the easier parts of gecko keeping.

For the broader care plan, see crested gecko care guide. For UVB and heat (or lack thereof), see crested gecko UVB and heat.