Feeder Insects

If you have an insectivorous or omnivorous pet reptile like a bearded dragon, leopard gecko, chameleon, etc., then you’ve probably heard of “staple” feeder insects. What does that mean, exactly?

A “staple” feeder is an insect that is nutritious enough to make a regular appearance in your reptile’s diet without potentially causing problems like excessive weight gain, organ disease, or other illnesses. Staple feeders also have a reasonable calcium to phosphorus ratio (as close to 2:1 as possible) and must be readily available for regular purchase.

Staple feeder insects are NOT insects that can be exclusively fed to your pet. Regardless of what you may have heard, exclusively feeding just one type of feeder insect for the rest of your reptile’s life is a recipe for problems like:

• loss of appetite
• obesity
• vitamin deficiency
• vitamin toxicity
• organ disease
• metabolic bone disease

The key to balanced nutrition for pet reptiles is providing variety in diet. Wild reptiles eat all kinds of different foods in their natural habitat, and their bodies have adapted to thrive under these conditions. Different foods have different kinds and quantities of vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients, so eating a variety of appropriate foods makes your reptile more likely to get the nutrients they need in appropriate amounts.

Plus, consider this: How would you feel if you had to eat the same thing every day? Even if it was your favorite food, and even if it was super nutritious, you’d probably get tired of it pretty fast. Reptiles are often same way.