What Do Crested Geckos Eat in the Wild – and How Can You Recreate It at Home?
Crested geckos (Correlophus ciliatus) are among the most popular lizards in herpetoculture. They impress with their appearance, gentle temperament, and ease of care. But what does their natural diet look like – and what does that mean for us as keepers? In this article, I’ll answer these questions and show you how to recreate a natural feeding approach at home – without compromise.
🏝 What do crested geckos eat in the wild?
Crested geckos come from New Caledonia – an island with a rich ecosystem and a mild, tropical climate. In the wild, they feed on what’s seasonally and locally available. Their diet includes:
• Ripe fruits: bananas, figs, forest berries, papaya, mango, apricots
• Insects and invertebrates: crickets, larvae, spiders, termites
• Flower pollen and nectar – sources of vitamins and energy
• Leaves and flowers – occasionally, mostly accidental
This is called a frugivorous-insectivorous diet. Geckos are not strict carnivores – their digestive system is adapted to process simple sugars, plant fiber, and insect proteins. The key is variety and balance.
🍓 Why aren’t fruits alone enough?
Many beginner keepers make the mistake of feeding their gecko only fruit or homemade purées. Although tasty, such a diet:
• Contains too much sugar and too little protein,
• Lacks the correct calcium-to-phosphorus ratio,
• Can lead to vitamin deficiencies and bone deformities (MBD).
For a gecko, it’s like fast food – tasty, but not nutritious.
🥣 How to recreate a natural diet in a terrarium?
To best replicate the natural diet of crested geckos, a captive diet should:
• Include insect protein – ideally in the form of BSF or cricket meal,
• Be based on nutritionally rich fruits (not just banana!),
• Have a balanced calcium-to-phosphorus ratio (Ca:P) – ideally 2:1,
• Be enriched with vitamins, minerals, and natural immune boosters.
✅ BioGecko Food – a natural diet in a modern form
With these needs in mind, BioGecko Food was created – a specialized powdered formula developed from years of observation, research, and experience in feeding New Caledonian geckos.
Why is BioGecko Food the best choice?
✅ Based on fruits (banana + mango, strawberry, apricot, passion fruit, etc.) – natural base
✅ Includes BSF and cricket meal – complete animal protein
✅ With superfoods (spirulina, turmeric, hibiscus) – for immunity and digestion
✅ Balanced Ca:P = 2:1 – for healthy bones and metabolism
✅ Free from gluten, dairy, soy, preservatives, and artificial colors
BioGecko Food is the answer to the question: “How can I best replicate a gecko's natural diet at home?”
💡 Summary
The crested gecko is neither fully frugivorous nor strictly carnivorous. It needs a complex, thoughtful, and nutritious diet – one that reflects its natural preferences. With BioGecko Food, you can be sure you're providing everything your gecko needs – without risks or compromises.
🔎 Frequently Asked Questions:
Can BioGecko Food be the gecko’s main diet?
Yes – it’s a complete formula containing everything your gecko needs.
Do I need to offer additional insects?
It’s not necessary, but you can offer live insects once a week for behavioral enrichment.
How often should I feed?
Juvenile geckos: daily; Adults: 3–4 times per week.
Does the formula contain vitamins and calcium?
Yes – BioGecko Food contains a carefully selected mix of vitamins, minerals, and an ideal Ca:P balance.