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Crested geckos are adorable creatures, and need correct nutrition to develop from infancy to adulthood. Many crested gecko owners want their reptiles to enjoy all types of foods. But then, the question pops up – are all fruits safe for crested geckos? Several pet owners are always keen to ask – can crested geckos eat bananas?
Crested geckos can eat bananas, but this fruit can negatively affect your reptile’s health if overfed. Bananas contain a disproportionate ratio of calcium-to-phosphorus, which, in excessive consumption, can lead to Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD). While bananas shouldn’t be used as a primary food source, crested geckos may enjoy mushed bananas as an occasional treat.
Now that it’s clear geckos may not fare well when they eat too much banana, let’s dive a little deeper into everything you need to know regarding this delicious treat. Sticking to the right nutrients is critical to maintaining your geckos’ overall health.
That’s why this article looks at everything you need to boost your crested geckos’ nutritional intake for a well-rounded, energy-filled diet.
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How to Feed Bananas to Crested Geckos
There are two ways to feed bananas to your crested geckos – mashed and chopped. However, mashed bananas are easier for crested geckos to digest, so we’ll only look at steps for mashing.
Steps to mash bananas for crested geckos
- Wash and peel banana skin off
- Mash banana to a puree form. Also, you can add other fruits to make a puree mix.
- Serve in a dish in equal quantity to replacement powders
Are There Alternatives to Bananas for Your Crested Geckos?
Some commercial fruit mixes are available in pet and online stores. Most common fruit mixes are Banana – Apricot and Banana – Apple mixes. If your gecko refuses to eat bananas and you need an ideal alternative, these mixes could be great.
However, some of these commercial fruit mix products may contain too much fat in their composition. It is essential to confirm how much fat is in any commercial product to avoid feeding your geckos fatty food.
What Other Fruits Can I Feed My Crested Geckos?
These fruits could be ideal treats for your crested geckos:
- Watermelon
- Cranberries
- Apricots
- Papaya
- Fig
- Sabra
- Mango
- Apples
Some of these fruits could be weekly regulars in your crested gecko’s diet. However, fruits like apricots and sabra are ideal fortnightly or monthly treats.
Which Foods are Bad for Crested Geckos?
Not all fruits offer much to your crested geckos. Here’s a look at some of the not-so-great fruits you should pass for crested geckos:
- Rhubarb
- Avocado
- Kiwi
- Pineapple
- Grapefruit
- Orange
- Lemon
- Nectarines
- Tangerines
- Plum
Some of these fruits can be great as rare treats for your crested geckos. However, citrus fruits and nectarines are a no-no for crested geckos.
Factors to Consider Before Feeding Fruits to Your Crested Geckos
Calcium-phosphorus ratio
The ratio of calcium-phosphorus is a major factor that determines what your gecko gains from fruits. Calcium helps strengthens the bones and helps prevent bone-related deficiencies. Foods that have a higher amount of calcium than phosphorus will benefit your crested gecko.
However, foods with a low-high calcium-phosphorus ratio could cause Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) in crested geckos.
Oxalic acid content
Fruits with high oxalic acid content shouldn’t be a regular in your crested gecko’s diet. Include fruits that are low in oxalic acid to ensure your reptiles don’t come down hard with nasty illnesses. Citrus fruits like tangerines and oranges should not be regulars for your crested gecko. Most, if not all, citrus fruits are high in oxalic acid.
Sugar content
Fruits high in natural sugars could become an addiction for crested geckos. Refrain from feeding your crested geckos fruits they may become addicts to. Some fruits and berries could make your crested gecko avoid eating food, which may affect its overall health.
Nutritional benefits
As expected, the nutritional compositions of fruits have several differences. You have to check out the nutritional benefits of each fruit in your gecko’s diet. If there is no real benefit for your crested gecko, it’s better to stop feeding such fruits to your reptile.
Vitamin C content
Foods with high vitamin C content should not be a regular part of your gecko’s meals. Excess vitamin C in some foods could make crested geckos suffer digestive problems and/or diarrhea.
FAQs
What fruits can crested geckos eat?
Fruit treats for your crested gecko
- Apricot
- Strawberry
- Bananas
- Fig
- Watermelon
- Mango
How much banana can I give my crested gecko?
If you have to give your crested gecko bananas as treats, one thin slice chopped into bits should be enough. Offering your crested gecko bananas could trigger adverse health consequences that may stunt its growth.
Do geckos eat banana?
Geckos can eat bananas, nectarines, cantaloupes, etc., but these fruits have poor calcium-to-phosphorus ratios, making them unsuitable for regular consumption. However, geckos can eat figs, raspberries, and papaya based on their favorable calcium-phosphorus content.
What fruits can crested geckos not eat?
Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, kiwis, grapefruits, etc. are not safe for crested geckos. These fruits contain oxalic acid, which poses a health risks to most reptiles. Even if some reptile owners tend to offer their geckos citrus fruits, you shouldn’t give your pets these fruits.
Final Thoughts: Can Crested Geckos Eat Bananas?
Can crested geckos eat bananas? Yes, but at a huge cost to their overall health.
Crested geckos need to have a somewhat-rigid nutritional diet. Without the right type of food, these reptiles may never grow into strong, healthy pets.
Avoid offering fruits like banana to your crested gecko. If you don’t want your reptile coming down hard with MBD, offer it a healthy, calcium-rich diet instead.