How Often Should You Feed Insects to Reptiles?
- mktpromeal
- Aug 28, 2025
- 5 min read
Feeding reptiles isn’t just about offering food—it’s about providing the right type of insects, in the right amounts, at the right time. A proper feeding schedule is the foundation of good reptile care, ensuring your pets grow strong, stay active, and live long, healthy lives.
Since many reptiles are insectivores or omnivores, feeder insects like mealworms, crickets, superworms, and roaches make up the backbone of their diet. These insects are packed with protein, healthy fats, and essential vitamins that reptiles naturally rely on in the wild. But while most pet owners know what to feed, the most common question is:
How often should reptiles be fed insects?
The answer isn’t the same for every pet. It depends on their age, size, activity level, and species. A baby gecko has very different needs compared to an adult bearded dragon. That’s why it’s important to understand feeding frequency to avoid both underfeeding (which causes weakness and stunted growth) and overfeeding (which leads to obesity and health problems).
In this guide, Promeal experts break down the ideal feeding schedules for baby, juvenile, and adult reptiles, along with practical tips to make sure your pets get the best insect-based nutrition.
Hatchlings & Juveniles (Baby Reptiles)
When it comes to baby reptile feeding, consistency and quality are key. Hatchlings and juveniles have very fast metabolisms and their bodies are in a rapid growth phase. This means they require high levels of protein and nutrients every single day to support the development of bones, muscles, scales, and immune health. Unlike adults, baby reptiles cannot store large amounts of energy, so frequent feeding is necessary.
Feeding Frequency
Baby reptiles should be fed every day without fail. In fact, some species may even need 2–3 small meals a day instead of one large meal. Providing food regularly ensures steady energy levels and prevents weakness or stunted growth.
What to Feed?
The best foods for hatchlings are small, soft-bodied insects that are easy to catch and digest:
Mealworms (small or chopped) – excellent source of protein and fat.
Pinhead Crickets – active prey that stimulates natural hunting behavior.
Fruit Flies (for very small reptiles like dart frogs or gecko hatchlings).
Tiny Roaches (like small Dubia nymphs).
Always follow the “eye rule”: never feed insects larger than the space between your reptile’s eyes. This prevents choking and digestion problems.
Why Daily Feeding is Important?
Supports bone development (with the help of calcium-rich feeders).
Boosts muscle growth and energy levels.
Keeps metabolism steady during the fastest stage of growth.
Prevents nutrient deficiencies that can lead to weak legs, poor shedding, or slow development.
Expert Tip : Instead of giving one large meal, offer multiple small portions throughout the day. This mimics natural feeding behavior in the wild, where reptiles catch insects one at a time. It also prevents overeating and improves digestion.
Sub-Adults (Growing Stage)
As reptiles move from hatchlings to their growing stage (sub-adults), their feeding needs begin to change. They are no longer in the rapid growth phase of babies, but they still require high-quality insect feeders and balanced nutrition to maintain steady development. This stage is crucial, as a poor diet can lead to weak bones, slow growth, or obesity if feeding is not adjusted properly.
Feeding Frequency
Sub-adult reptiles should be fed 4–5 times per week. This schedule gives them enough protein for continued growth while preventing overeating. Depending on the species, some may also require a mix of insects and fresh greens or vegetables (for omnivores like bearded dragons and skinks).
What to Feed Sub-Adult Reptiles
At this stage, reptiles can handle slightly larger and more nutrient-dense feeders:
Larger Crickets → ideal for leopard geckos, chameleons, and anoles.
Dubia Roaches → one of the best insects for growing reptiles, thanks to their protein and calcium balance.
Superworms → excellent protein boost for blue tongue skinks, monitors, and bearded dragons.
Occasional Dried Insects → convenient supplements for turtles, birds, and lizards when live insects are not available.
Why This Stage Needs Balanced Nutrition
Sub-adults are still building muscle and bone density.
They need a slower but steady protein supply to prevent stunted growth.
Omnivorous reptiles benefit from occasional leafy greens along with insects.
Feeding too much protein or fatty insects at this stage can cause obesity and metabolic problems.
Expert Tip: Always gut-load insects before offering them to your reptiles. Gut-loading means feeding insects nutrient-rich foods (like fruits, grains, and vegetables) 24–48 hours before feeding them to reptiles. This process transfers vitamins, minerals, and calcium to your pet, turning the feeder insect into a superfood.
Adult Reptiles
Once reptiles reach adulthood, their growth slows down and their metabolism becomes more stable. This means they do not require as much protein or as frequent feeding as hatchlings and juveniles. In fact, overfeeding adult reptiles with insects can easily lead to obesity, fatty liver disease, and other long-term health issues. A proper adult reptile feeding schedule helps maintain a healthy weight, strong immune system, and active lifestyle.
Feeding Frequency
Adult reptiles should generally be fed 2–3 times per week. The exact frequency may vary depending on the species and individual activity levels:
Active lizards (like bearded dragons or chameleons) may require slightly more frequent feedings.
Sedentary reptiles (like leopard geckos that move less) may do well with fewer meals.
What to Feed Adult Reptiles
Even though adult reptiles eat less often, they still need high-quality, protein-rich feeders to stay healthy. The best insect feeders for adult reptiles include:
Dubia Roaches → One of the best staple feeders, packed with protein and calcium.
Crickets → Lively feeders that encourage natural hunting behavior.
Superworms → Excellent source of fat and protein, but should be fed in moderation.
Waxworms & Hornworms → High-fat treats, best offered occasionally as supplements or rewards.
Why Balanced Feeding is Important
Prevents obesity by avoiding excess calories.
Maintains muscle health and bone strength with protein and calcium.
Keeps reptiles active and alert by mimicking natural feeding behavior.
Avoids nutrient imbalance by rotating different insect feeders.
Expert Tip: Always match portion size to your reptile’s activity level. Active reptiles, such as chameleons or bearded dragons, may need more food, while sedentary ones like geckos require smaller portions. Don’t forget to dust insects with calcium and vitamins to prevent deficiencies like metabolic bone disease.
Overfeeding vs. Underfeeding Risks
Feeding reptiles the right amount is just as important as choosing the right insect. Both overfeeding and underfeeding can harm your pet’s health.
Overfeeding: Offering too many insects can lead to obesity, fatty liver disease, and reduced activity. Overweight reptiles often become sluggish, lose interest in food, and face long-term health complications.
Underfeeding: Not providing enough food results in weak bones, slow growth, poor shedding, and low immunity. Underfed reptiles are more vulnerable to infections and metabolic bone disease
Expert Tip: Always feed insects no larger than the space between your reptile’s eyes. This helps prevent choking, impaction, and digestion problems.
Feeding reptiles is all about balance—not too much, not too little, and always the right kind of insects. A proper feeding schedule supports healthy growth, strong bones, and active behavior, while poor feeding habits can lead to obesity or deficiencies. That’s why choosing clean, organic, and gut-loaded feeders makes all the difference.
At Promeal, we provide organic live and dried insects—mealworms, crickets, superworms, and Dubia roaches—raised chemical-free for safe feeding.
Visit our Shop Section today and give your reptiles the nutrition they deserve.
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