Yes, Gargoyle Geckos can eat mealworms as part of their diet. In the wild, Gargoyle Geckos are omnivores and consume a variety of insects, fruits, and nectar.

In captivity, their diet should be well-balanced to ensure they receive the necessary nutrients for optimal health.

Mealworms can be offered as a component of their insect diet, but it’s important to provide variety.

Gargoyle Geckos benefit from a diverse diet that includes other feeder insects such as crickets, roaches, and waxworms.

Additionally, offering a variety of fruits (such as mashed fruit or baby food) can contribute to their nutritional needs.

Mealworms have hard exoskeletons that can be difficult for gargoyle geckos to digest, especially younger/smaller geckos. 

It’s best to feed mealworms that have recently molted so their exoskeletons are soft.

Mealworms lack some key nutrients like calcium that gargoyle geckos need. 

Their feeders need to be “gut loaded” (fed nutritious foods before being fed to the gecko) and dusted with calcium/vitamin D3 supplements.

Do Gargoyle Geckos Need to Eat Insects?

Yes, Gargoyle Geckos are primarily insectivores, which means their natural diet consists mainly of insects. In captivity it’s essential to provide a well-balanced diet that replicates their natural nutritional requirements.

As long as they are getting proper nutrition from an appropriate commercial fruit-based diet, supplements, and occasional treats, gargoyle geckos do not require any insects in captivity. 

Though some owners choose to offer small amounts of insects once a week or so.

The key is providing a complete diet without overdoing high fat insects. 

Their insectivore relatives like crested geckos do require regular insects to thrive. But gargoyle geckos have different dietary needs as frugivores.

What Worms Gargoyle Geckos Can Eat?

Gargoyle Geckos can eat a variety of worms as part of their diet. 

For optimal health feed your gargoyle gecko a fruit-based CGD diet as their staple. Then periodically offer smaller, soft-bodied bugs like phoenix worms, waxworms or fruit fly larvae for some supplementary hunting enrichment. Avoid any worm much larger in diameter than the space between their eyes.

The other most suitable worms for gargoyle geckos are:

Mealworms: As mentioned previously, mealworms are okay for occasional feeding in limited amounts. They should be gut loaded, dusted, and an appropriate size. Make sure to only feed the softer newly molted mealworms. Avoid superworms as they are too large and hard.

Waxworms: These are high in fat so also only suitable as rare treats. But their softer bodies are easier for gargoyles to digest if given occasionally and in moderation.

Phoenix worms: Also known as calciworms or black soldier fly larvae. Phoenix worms make a great soft-bodied worm to offer. They have more calcium and less fat than other feeder worms. 

Their smaller size is also a better fit for gargoyles.

Fruit fly larvae: The tiny larvae or maggots of fruit flies are relished by gargoyles. They make a great size and nutritional match as a supplementary feeder. You can culture your own fruit fly colonies to have the larvae always available.

Dubia Roaches: Dubia roaches are another excellent option. They provide a good balance of protein and are easy to digest.

Silkworms: Silkworms are soft-bodied and easy to digest. They are rich in protein and can be a good addition to the diet.

Hornworms: Hornworms are another soft-bodied option. They are high in water content, making them a hydrating choice.

How Many Mealworms Should I Give to Gargoyle Gecko

As a general guideline, you can offer mealworms a few times a week as part of a diverse feeding routine. The number of mealworms can vary based on the size of the gecko and the size of the mealworms. For younger or smaller geckos, start with a smaller quantity, such as 2-3 mealworms per feeding, and observe how the gecko responds.

• For adult gargoyle geckos, you can offer 2-3 mealworms, 1-2 times per week.
• For juveniles or subadults, offer just 1-2 freshly-molted mealworms, once per week.
• Do not exceed more than 3 mealworms per feeding session, even for large adult gargoyle geckos.

It’s generally recommended that insects make up no more than 20% of a gargoyle gecko’s overall diet. The bulk of their diet (around 80%) should be made up of a high-quality crested and leopard gecko fruit diet mix. This ensures the proper ratio of nutrients.

Pay attention to your individual gecko as well. Monitor their body condition and adjust mealworm quantities accordingly if they start to become overweight.

And remember to always gut-load feeder insects, and “dust” mealworms with calcium + D3 supplement powder before feeding to your gargoyle gecko. This helps provide a balanced nutritional profile.

Limit mealworms to a small treat, not a dietary staple. With moderated, proper supplementation, 1-3 mealworms once or twice a week is suitable for most gargoyle geckos.