Leopard Gecko Feeding Schedule by Age: Exact Amounts and Timing

TL;DR: Baby leopard geckos (0–4 months) need daily feedings of 2–3 extra-small insects with calcium+D3 at every meal; juveniles (4–12 months) eat every other day with 4–6 insects; adults (12+ months) eat every 2–3 days with 5–8 insects. The golden rule across all ages: never feed insects wider than the space between the gecko's eyes. Feed in the early evening (6–9 PM) to align with their crepuscular activity peak for the best feeding response.

Quick Answer: Leopard Gecko Feeding Schedule by Age

Rule of thumb: Never feed an insect wider than the space between your gecko's eyes. Too large = choking risk and digestion issues.

For the full breakdown — including what to feed, how to supplement, and warning signs — keep reading.

Baby Leopard Geckos (0–4 Months): Daily Feeding

Baby geckos grow rapidly. In their first four months, they can nearly triple in size — and they need daily nutrition to fuel that growth.

How Often to Feed

Feed every single day, ideally in the early evening (6–9 PM). Leopard geckos are crepuscular animals — most active at dawn and dusk — so evening feedings align with their natural activity peak and result in better feeding responses.

How Much to Feed

Offer 2–3 extra-small insects per session. Resist the urge to offer more "just in case." Overfeeding babies leads to regurgitation and digestive stress.

Best Insects for Babies

• Crickets (¼ inch): Best staple; high protein, easy to source
• Small dubia roaches: Excellent nutrition, no smell or noise
• Avoid mealworms for very young babies — their hard exoskeleton is harder to digest

Baby Gecko Supplement Schedule

Dust insects lightly before each feeding. Don't over-coat — a thin dusting sticks to the insect naturally.

What to Watch

• Tail thickness: Should look plump. A pencil-thin tail = underfeeding or illness.
• Strike accuracy: Babies should strike confidently. Missing repeatedly can indicate poor vision or incorrect temperatures.
• Poop: Baby geckos poop frequently (often daily). Regular output = healthy digestion.

Juvenile Leopard Geckos (4–12 Months): Every Other Day

At 4 months, growth slows slightly and the daily feeding schedule becomes unnecessary. Switching to every-other-day prevents the obesity problems that plague many captive geckos.

How Often to Feed

Every other day. Stick to evenings.

How Much to Feed

Offer 4–6 insects per session. Juveniles have larger appetites than babies but don't need the non-stop calorie load.

Insect Variety for Juveniles

This is the stage to introduce variety:

Alternate between crickets and dubias as your main feeders, and use mealworms as a secondary option. Save waxworms for training reluctant feeders or as an occasional reward.

Juvenile Supplement Schedule

Adult Leopard Geckos (12+ Months): 2–3 Times Per Week

Once your gecko passes 12 months, their growth essentially plateaus. Their metabolism slows and caloric needs drop significantly.

How Often to Feed

Every 2–3 days — or about 3 feedings per week. Some adult geckos do fine on every-other-day feeding. Watch body condition rather than following a rigid calendar.

How Much to Feed

5–8 insects per session. Larger geckos (males especially) lean toward the higher end. Females and smaller individuals stay around 5–6.

Body Condition Check

A healthy adult's tail is the best indicator of proper feeding:

• Too thin (underfed): Tail looks stringy, narrow, papery
• Just right: Slightly rounded tail, roughly the same width as the body at its base
• Too fat (overfed): Tail looks lumpy or much wider than the body; limbs may appear thick

Adult Supplement Schedule

Leaving a small dish of plain calcium powder in the enclosure allows adults to self-regulate — they'll lick it when they feel they need it.

Gutloading: Why It Matters More Than You Think

Gutloading means feeding your feeder insects a nutritious diet for 24–48 hours before offering them to your gecko. It's one of the most impactful things you can do for nutrition — whatever the insect eats becomes part of your gecko's meal.

Good Gutload Foods

• Collard greens, dandelion leaves, mustard greens
• Butternut squash, sweet potato, carrots
• Commercial gutload formulas (Repashy Bug Burger, etc.)

Avoid

• Citrus (blocks calcium absorption)
• Spinach (contains oxalates that bind calcium)
• Iceberg lettuce (no nutritional value)

Gutloaded insects are noticeably more nutritious than insects kept on potato flakes or orange slices. This is especially important if your primary feeder is crickets.

When Your Gecko Stops Eating

A gecko that suddenly refuses food is common and usually not an emergency. Here's the troubleshooting checklist:

1. Check temperatures. Warm side should be 88–92°F, cool side 75–80°F. A cold gecko won't eat.
2. Is it shedding? Geckos often stop eating 3–5 days before a shed. Normal behavior.
3. New enclosure? Give new geckos up to two weeks to settle in before worrying.
4. Breeding season? Males especially may refuse food November through March.
5. Boredom with feeders? Try a different insect type.

If your gecko has gone 3+ weeks without eating, lost significant weight, or shows other symptoms (lethargy, strange droppings), consult a reptile vet.