Feeding your reptile properly is more than just dropping in a few insects—it’s about meeting their nutritional needs, natural feeding behaviors, and lifestyle requirements. One of the most common questions reptile keepers ask is:
“Should I feed my pet live food or dry food?”
In this article, we’ll explore the differences between live and dry (or prepared) reptile food, helping you determine what’s best based on your reptile species, enclosure setup, and care preferences.
What Is Live Reptile Food?
Live reptile food typically refers to feeder insects that are still alive and moving when offered to your reptile. Popular choices include:
- Crickets
- Locusts
- Mealworms
- Waxworms
- Dubia roaches
- Morio worms
Benefits of Live Food:
- Stimulates natural hunting instincts
- High in moisture, which helps with hydration
- Encourages activity and enrichment
- Often more nutritionally complete when gut-loaded properly
Drawbacks:
- Can bite or stress your reptile if left in the enclosure
- Short shelf life (requires live storage and care)
- More expensive and labor-intensive
- May escape into the habitat if not properly contained
Explore our full range of live reptile food including crickets, locusts, and more—delivered live to your door in the UK.
What Is Dry Reptile Food?
Dry food includes any reptile diet that’s been preserved and packaged, such as:
- Freeze-dried insects (e.g., mealworms, silkworms)
- Dehydrated crickets or locusts
- Pelleted or powdered diets (especially for geckos and tortoises)
- Soft moist prepared foods
These are commonly found in jars, pouches, or sachets and have longer shelf lives.
Benefits of Dry Food:
- Convenient and easy to store
- No risk of bites or injuries
- Less mess, no escapes
- Some formulas include added vitamins and minerals
-Ideal for travel or backup feeding
Drawbacks:
- Lower moisture content (can contribute to dehydration if not offset)
- May not trigger hunting response in some species
- Less “natural” for reptiles that rely on movement to identify prey
- Some reptiles are picky and may refuse it
Check out our high-quality dry and prepared reptile foods for geckos, dragons, and more.
Which Food Type Is Right for Your Reptile?
Leopard Geckos
- Best fit: Live insects (crickets, mealworms)
- Dry as backup only
- Needs calcium dusting and occasional variety
Corn Snakes / Ball Pythons
- Not insectivores—require thawed frozen rodents (not covered in this article)
- Live prey only with caution due to risk of injury
Bearded Dragons
- Juveniles: Prefer live food for high protein
- Adults: Can include a mix of live and dry
- Also require fresh veggies daily
Tree Frogs / Pacman Frogs
- Prefer movement—live insects highly recommended
- Dry food is rarely accepted unless trained
Tortoises
- Not insectivores—feed fresh greens, hay, and plant-based dry diets
- Prepared tortoise pellets are a helpful supplement
Nutritional Considerations
|
Feature |
Live Food |
Dry Food |
|---|---|---|
|
Moisture |
High |
Low (unless soaked) |
|
Protein Content |
High |
Varies |
|
Enrichment Value |
Excellent |
Moderate to Low |
|
Shelf Life |
Short |
Long |
|
Cost |
Moderate–High |
Low–Moderate |
|
Ease of Use |
Medium (care needed) |
Very Easy |
Tip: Always “gut-load” live insects before feeding them—this means feeding the insects a nutritious diet 24 hours before offering them to your reptile.
Can You Mix Live and Dry Food?
Absolutely! Many reptile owners use a combination of live and dry foods for balance:
- Use live insects for regular feeding and activity
- Offer dry food when traveling or between live deliveries
- Combine with fresh vegetables or fruit for omnivorous reptiles
- Use dry food to supplement on days when live insects are limited
Just be sure to monitor weight, appetite, and hydration, especially if relying heavily on dry foods.
Don’t Forget Supplements & Hydration
Whether you feed live or dry, you’ll likely still need:
- Calcium + D3 powder (2–3x per week)
- Multivitamins (1x per week)
- Clean water and misting, especially for tropical species
Shop our reptile healthcare collection for supplements, shedding aids, and hydration boosters.
Final Thoughts: Which Is Best?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Here’s a quick summary:
|
Choose Live Food If… |
Choose Dry Food If… |
|---|---|
|
Your reptile is active and needs enrichment |
You want convenience and minimal prep |
|
You’re feeding juveniles that need high protein |
You’re supplementing a fresh or mixed diet |
|
Your pet hunts by movement |
You need a backup or travel-friendly option |
|
You can manage regular insect deliveries |
Your reptile is picky but trained on dry diets |
Ultimately, the best feeding routine balances nutrition, stimulation, and practicality—and many keepers find that a hybrid approach works best.
Shop Reptile Food & Feeding Essentials
At Charterhouse Aquatics, we stock a full range of reptile foods to suit every species and keeper—from live insects to long-life dry formulas.
- Live Food (Crickets, Mealworms, Roaches)
