leopard gecko food

Question
Hi Diane
Thanks for help in the past. I now have a new baby gecko that is doing very well thanks to you, my question is about my other near adult gecko who does seem to prefer meal worms! I have learnt that crickets are their staple diet but does it cause too much health problems to have extra meal worms?
and is spectrum lighting an absolute necessity for their well being?
thanks Diane all the best to you
ros

Answer
Hi Rosalyn,
I provide a low uvb/uva for my leos....which I have seen use the lighting.  Unless something lives in the deep bowels of a cave, they are getting some type of light.  There is much controversy as to if the lighting helps a leo or not. As far as necessary for their well being, I don't think enough studies have been done to know if its vital for them...but if you provide it and they use it, then I would say its a good thing for that particular leo.
Mealworms aren't a good staple diet as they contain so much hard outer body.  If you can raise your own(very easy) then you can feed only the fresh shed ones(they are white) that don't contain the hard outer body, it makes them a bit better.  A better choice would be the superworms, of your leo is large enough for them.  Many places do offer younger superworms which are smaller.  Do not feed the so called giant mealworms as they are fed hormones to stop them from turning into the beetles....
You can also try some other worms such as the silkworms or phoenix worms. Another thing you can try is breaking the hind legs on the crickets as that will stop them from jumping, which may entice your leo to eat them.