Can leopard-gecko Eat silkworms? Safety, Prep & Frequency

Silkworms are an excellent, highly nutritious feeder insect for leopard geckos, offering a soft-bodied, low-fat, and high-calcium option. They can be a frequent and beneficial addition to a varied diet.

How to Prepare

1. Source healthy, captive-bred silkworms from a reputable supplier.
2. Gut-load silkworms for at least 24-48 hours prior to feeding with a high-quality commercial gut-load diet or fresh, pesticide-free mulberry leaves.
3. Dust silkworms lightly with a calcium supplement (without D3) for most feedings, and a calcium-with-D3 supplement 1-2 times per week, following your veterinarian's recommendations.
4. Offer silkworms one at a time using feeding tongs, or place them in a shallow, escape-proof dish. Ensure the silkworm's size is no larger than the space between your leopard gecko's eyes to prevent choking or impaction.

Warnings

• Cost and Availability: Silkworms can be more expensive and less readily available than common feeders like crickets or mealworms.
• Size: Always ensure silkworms are appropriately sized for your leopard gecko to prevent choking or potential impaction. A general rule is that the feeder should be no larger than the space between the gecko's eyes.
• Dietary Variety: While excellent, silkworms should still be part of a diverse diet including other appropriate feeder insects to ensure a full spectrum of nutrients.
• Gut-Loading: Failure to properly gut-load silkworms diminishes their nutritional value, making them less beneficial for your gecko.

Nutrition Facts

FAQ

Are silkworms a good staple food for leopard geckos?

Yes, silkworms are considered an excellent staple food due to their favorable calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, soft bodies, low-fat content, and high protein. They are easily digestible and highly palatable for most geckos.

Do silkworms need to be gut-loaded before feeding?

Absolutely. Gut-loading silkworms for 24-48 hours with a nutritious diet, such as mulberry leaves or a commercial gut-load, significantly enhances their nutritional value, transferring essential vitamins and minerals to your leopard gecko.

How often can I feed my leopard gecko silkworms?

Silkworms can be offered frequently, even several times a week, as part of a varied diet. For adult geckos, 3-5 silkworms per feeding, 2-3 times a week, is a common guideline, adjusting based on the gecko's age and appetite.

What size silkworms are appropriate for a leopard gecko?

Always feed silkworms that are no larger than the width between your leopard gecko's eyes. This prevents potential choking hazards or digestive issues like impaction, especially for younger or smaller geckos.

Can silkworms cause impaction in leopard geckos?

While silkworms are soft-bodied and generally digestible, feeding silkworms that are too large for your gecko can potentially lead to impaction. Always adhere to the 'no larger than the space between the eyes' rule to minimize this risk.

More Leopard Geckos Foods

• Can leopard geckos eat mealworms?
• Can leopard geckos eat crickets?
• Can leopard geckos eat fruit?
• Can leopard geckos eat vegetables?

Sources

• Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) Husbandry Guidelines for Leopard Geckos (Eublepharis macularius), 2023