Can Leopard Geckos Eat Wax Worms? This is a common question among leopard gecko owners, especially those who want to spoil their pets with something tasty.

Wax worms are soft, juicy, and easy to digest, but Can Leopard Geckos have Wax Worms?

Wax worms are the larvae of wax moths. They are high in fat and low in nutrients so they should only be fed as occasional treats to leopard geckos.

Can Leopard Geckos Eat Wax Worms?

Yes, leopard geckos can eat wax worms. Wax worms are very high in fat and low in nutritional value. They lack the proper balance of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that leopard geckos need.

Too many wax worms can cause obesity and other health issues in leopard geckos since they are calorically dense.

Wax worms have hard outer shells that may be difficult for some leopard geckos to digest, especially younger ones. This can cause impaction.

It’s generally recommended to feed adult leopard geckos wax worms no more than 1-2 times per week. Even less frequently for juveniles or babies. Wax worms should make up no more than 10% of the total diet.

How Many Wax Worms to Feed a Leopard Gecko

Adult leopard geckos can be fed 1-2 wax worms, 1-2 times per week at most. Wax worms should make up no more than 10% of an adult leopard gecko’s total diet.

Juvenile leopard geckos over 6 months old can have 1 wax worm once or twice a week. Leopard geckos under 6 months of age should avoid wax worms completely.

When feeding wax worms to juveniles or adults, only feed 1-3 wax worms per serving. It is important to monitor your gecko’s weight and body condition closely. Discontinue feeding wax worms if signs of obesity develop.

Are Wax Worms Good for Leopard Geckos?

Wax worms can be good for leopard geckos in moderation, but too many wax worms can actually be harmful.

Potential Benefits:

• High in fat and protein which provides energy
• Generally easy for leopard geckos to digest
• Provides some nutritional variety in the diet
• Often palatable treat that geckos enjoy

Potential Drawbacks:

-Nutritionally imbalanced as too high in fat and low in vitamins/nutrients

• Risk of obesity if overfed
• Possible impaction risk from chitinous exoskeleton
• Can cause ‘addiction’ and rejection of healthier feeders

Recommendations:

• Use wax worms as only occasional treats (1-2x/week max for adults)
• Wax worms should comprise no more than 10% of total diet
• Best paired with diverse gutloaded feeders for balanced nutrition
• Avoid overfeeding entirely due to obesity/addiction risks

How Often Can Leopard Geckos Eat Wax Worms

Leopard geckos should only eat wax worms as an occasional treat. It is recommended to feed adult leopard geckos wax worms no more than 1-2 times per week. Babies and juveniles should get them even less frequently. Overfeeding wax worms can lead to obesity.

Can Leopard Geckos Eat Dead Wax Worms

Yes, leopard geckos can eat dead wax worms. However, dead prey does not move to trigger their hunting instinct. It’s better to feed live or recently dead prey that still moves a bit. Make sure to gut load live wax worms before feeding.

Can Baby Leopard Geckos Eat Wax Worms

Baby leopard geckos under six months old should not be fed wax worms yet. Their digestive systems are still developing and may have trouble properly digesting wax worms. Older juveniles over six months can start to have wax worms infrequently in limited quantities.

Can Leopard Geckos Eat Only Wax Worms

No, leopard geckos cannot healthfully eat only wax worms as part of their diet. Wax worms are far too high in fat and too low in nutrients to serve as a complete and balanced diet. Leopard geckos should eat primarily a variety of nutritious feeder insects like crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms, etc.

Important Questions

Can Leopard Geckos Get Addicted to Wax Worms?

Yes, leopard geckos can become addicted to wax worms if they are fed them too frequently over time. Wax worms are essentially like “candy” or “junk food” for leopard geckos due to their soft texture and high fat content. Geckos tend to find them very tasty.

If a leopard gecko starts regularly receiving wax worms, it may increasingly refuse to eat healthier feeder insects like dubia roaches or crickets in hopes of getting more wax worms instead.

This addictive behavior and fixation on wax worms as their preferred food can lead to nutritional imbalances or obesity health issues over time.

To prevent wax worm addiction, feed them only sparingly as a small portion of the total diet (no more than 10%), similarly to how we should eat sweets.

Make sure the actual primary staples of the diet remain more nutritionally balanced feeder insects. Offer diversity too to ensure good health.

What Worms Are Safe for Leopard Geckos?

• Mealworms: A staple feeder. Make sure to gutload them and limit overfeeding due to high fat content after pupation. Offer appropriate sizes.
• Superworms: Also nutritious, but harder for a leopard gecko to digest. Best for adult leopard geckos in moderation. Don’t feed superworm beetles.
• Waxworms: Only feed as an occasional treat in small amounts due to high fat.
• Phoenix worms: Excellent source of calcium and nutrients. Can form a regular part of the diet. Gutload before feeding.
• Butterworms: Contains beneficial fats and compounds. Another good occasional treat in moderation.
• Black Soldier Fly Larvae: Nutrient-rich feeders that are easy for leopard geckos to digest when appropriately sized.
• Silkworms: Soft, nutritious worms appropriate for regular feeding.