Fat-tailed geckos are one of the most interesting and unique types of geckos in the world. They are found in a variety of habitats, including deserts, rainforests, and even urban areas. Fat-tailed geckos have a very diverse diet, which includes insects, spiders, lizards, and even small mammals! In this blog post, we will take a closer look at what fat-tailed geckos eat and discuss some of the different dietary habits of these fascinating creatures.
What do fat-tailed geckos eat in the wild?
-Insects: fat-tailed geckos will eat just about any type of insect, including crickets, roaches, beetles, and moths.
-Spiders: These geckos are not afraid to take on a spider as prey! They will often hunt and eat tarantulas and other large spiders.
-Lizards: lizards make up a large part of the fat-tailed gecko’s diet in the wild. They will eat smaller lizards whole, and will also consume larger lizards if given the opportunity.
-Small mammals: while not as common, fat-tailed geckos have been known to eat small mammals such as rodents and bats. This is usually only done if other food sources are scarce.
How do geckos catch their prey in the wild?
Most of the time, fat-tailed geckos will simply wait for their prey to come within range and then strike with lightning speed.
These geckos are incredibly fast and agile, which makes them very successful predators. They will also use their tail as a weapon, lashing out at potential prey items to startle them long enough to make a meal of them.
What do fat-tailed geckos eat in captivity?
-Insects: just like in the wild, insects make up a large part of the captive fat-tailed gecko’s diet. Crickets and roaches are usually the mainstays, but other insects such as mealworms, waxworms, and beetle larvae can also be offered.
-Lizards: captive fat-tailed geckos will also eat lizards, although this is not as common as in the wild. If you do offer your gecko a lizard, make sure it is small enough that the gecko can eat it whole.
-Mice: while not as common as the other items on this list, some captive fat-tailed geckos will eat mice. This is usually only done if other food sources are scarce.
What do baby fat-tailed geckos eat?
-Insects: just like their adult counterparts, baby fat-tailed geckos will eat just about any type of insect. This includes crickets, roaches, beetles, moths, and more.
-Lizards: lizards also make up a large part of the diet for baby fat-tailed geckos. They will often hunt and eat small lizards whole, as well as consume larger lizards if given the opportunity.
-Small mammals: while not as common, some baby fat-tailed geckos have been known to eat small mammals such as rodents and bats. This is usually only done if other food sources are scarce.
How much food and how to feed fat-tailed geckos in captivity
-As a general rule of thumb, you should offer your captive fat-tailed gecko about as much food as it can eat in one sitting. This will vary depending on the size of the gecko, but a good starting point is to offer about 20 crickets per week for every inch of body length.
-You can offer your fat-tailed gecko its food live, or you can opt for pre-killed insects. If you do choose to offer live food, make sure that the insects are not larger than the gecko itself.
-It is also a good idea to dust the insects with a calcium powder before feeding them to your gecko. This will help to ensure that your gecko is getting the necessary nutrients.
-In addition to insects, you can also offer your fat-tailed gecko other food items such as small lizards, baby mice, and more. As with insects, make sure that these food items are not larger than the gecko itself.
-Finally, it is important to make sure that your gecko has access to fresh, clean water at all times. A water bowl should be placed in the enclosure, and the water should be changed on a regular basis.
Conclusion
As you can see, fat-tailed geckos have a very diverse diet, both in the wild and in captivity. This is one of the things that makes them such interesting and unique creatures! If you are thinking about getting a fat-tailed gecko as a pet, be sure to do your research and provide them with a varied and nutritious diet. Your gecko will thank you for it.
