Leopard Geckos Try Pinkie Mice For The First Time

After almost two decades of keeping leopard geckos, I decided to offer them a pinkie mouse each. Pinkies can be very beneficial but they should only be offered as a rare treat.
💓 SUPPORT THE CHANNEL
Merch www.leopardgec...
Patreon / leopardgeckotalk
Leopard Gecko Care Guides leopardgecko.r...
🤝🏻 AFFILIATE LINKS*
Viperia (UK PVC Tanks) viperia.co.uk/...
Internet Reptile tidd.ly/3ztNSMI
Swell Reptiles tidd.ly/3sdGIOg
Custom Reptile Habitats customreptileh...
Amazon Store www.amazon.co....
Amazon Prime 30-Day FREE Trial www.amazon.co.u...
🦎 SOCIALS
/ leopardgeckoyoutube
/ officiallyleopardgecko
/ lgtyoutube
* If you purchase an item or service using these links, I will earn a small commission, with no extra cost to you.
#leopardgecko #reptiles #pinkies

[@ryanramirez4501]

So this is where all that commotion was coming from. Rq anyone who really knows this channel should know that this person has dedicated over a decade to the care of these animals and would not do anything without careful consideration. Anyone with braincells won't criticize this video.

[@amysreptileadventures6664]

Cheers to that ! I couldn’t agree more with your great comment ! & to add to that...I do believe that in the UK she is #1 as well as here in the US as well... when it comes to leopard gecko care videos. So there’s that too ! & yes also her 10+ years of experience !

[@ladykaycey]

I 💯 agree with you

[@mud8833]

100% agree.

[@CoffeeKat14]

I've only been watching her videos for a little bit, but I LOVE them!! Best Leo channel ever!

[@ryanramirez4501]

@@CoffeeKat14 absolutely! I've only been watching for about 3ish or 4 years bc thats how long I've had my gecko and it's funny bc when it comes to leopard geckos searched on KZbin, a lot of videos from this channel comes up. Very helpful to the whole community 🙏🏽

[@Creatureexotics]

I saw all the hate on Facebook for this. I have a number of reptiles, and pet rats. I’m also a vegan. I 100% support you doing this and would do the same for mine. The backlash you’ve had is uninformed and ridiculous! Full support and hope you’re okay! 😊

[@Creatureexotics]

😂 that reaction was me the first time I fed my first snake ‘oh god oh I’m sorry I’m sorry oh god’

[@Creatureexotics]

Hahaha ‘sorry oh dear me’ 😂

[@JOY_BOY999]

lmao i dont have a snake but still@@Creatureexotics

[@ingeniouspixie]

Same here! And I 100% agree with you. She is doing NOTHING wrong and caring for her animals the best way she knows how, after careful, verifiable research. ❤

[@thedarkhaven5715]

Fuck the haters she has done nothing wrong

[@leafystreet]

I'm all about this. Our herps eat such diverse diets in nature and theres no shame in replicating that

[@PlantKidShorts]

YO LEAFY STREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET

[@Reptile-Hunter]

Hi! I am a big fan!

[@cruzemichael50]

A couple tips from a snake keeper, use tongs so your fingers and smell don't get in the way and offer head first for easier swallowing. The bones of a pinky mouse aren't really fully formed and are closer to cartilage, so no worries there.

[@syd4787]

I was skeptical not knowing with the bones and how they would digest but it’s good to know that they can!! I know Rebecca would never do anything to hurt her babies and I’m glad they loved their treat! My babies are weird with their food. I don’t know if I would waste a poor pinky for them to just scoff at it and turn away. Her geckos are great eaters tho!!!

[@monicacook6304]

People went crazy over leopard geckos having substrate and overhead heating and look now everyone’s doing it because it is beneficial like their natural lives, so why not try some new food types on very very RARE occasions!! She didn’t give them a full sized mouse for god sakes!! The people being rude about it are usually the ones with outdated info and husbandry and have more issues with their geckos Than anyone trying new up to date things!!

[@teijaflink2226]

No substrate really? Bet that you shouldn't use substrate comes from breeders who want to save money.

[@Sparrow_hawk]

Sadly the reptile community is absolutely full of outdated and/or uninformed pieces of information that gets absorbed into the collective echo chamber and theres never any room for them to learn anything new. Thats why I appreciate your channel, so many videos over the years that have shown your journey with your animals, not only how they have grown and lived but also how you have learned more about them and always strive to give them their best lives. Keep it up, love to see more and learn more from you. Snake keeper here, have a rainbow boa named Enfys, nothing to laugh about handling pinkies, theyre unsettling squishy. Wouldnt dream of feeding my snake without tongs, you have very polite geckos!

[@jennw5299]

same!! even hoppers my corn is on is disgusting 😭 i was shocked she was using her fingers ahaha

[@nayiru5877]

The amount of people who don't understand moderation is astounding. Your geckos are clearly happy and healthy, giving them variety to their diet is never a bad thing. It sucks how much you're having to defend yourself from people. Keep on doing your thing, you have a 17yo gecko you're clearly doing something right! (Also a snake owner, I had similar reactions the first time I had to feed my ball python, but I love my grumpy old man.)

[@mandersonx]

Wait until they find out my horses like hotdogs lmao

[@sumerburton]

No way 🤣🤣

[@smolnchulo1884]

activating Glizzy Overdrive

[@saralou123]

I used to have 3 horses and they loved my bologna sandwiches. Lol! I even had a bull that would about take me down when he saw my lunch box because I made the mistake of giving him some bologna one time. 🤦🏻‍♀️ Herbivores love the junk meat. 😂

[@davidbeckett1565]

I have never thought of leopard geckos eating pinkies but you explained it very well. I know someone who has a snake and she will have pinkies so now I’m curious about what Echo (who is over three years old and weighs 100 grams) will make of one. I know that if she doesn’t eat it then the mealworms will!

[@antoniobarbaro3499]

They look like they loved them, and your information was spot on. Nice to see the geckos doing so well, especially the older ones. Hope you're doing ok, as well

[@thedarkhaven5715]

Wild Diet: Natural insectivores, Leopard Geckos will prey upon anything small enough to catch. Ranging from Scorpions to Spiders they will also eat centipedes, beetles and often other lizards.

[@SYMBIOTEDINOSAUR]

They also eat frogs

[@jennw5299]

we all know you would never do anything to hurt your babies. anyone hating is not a fan of yours, so pay no attention to any of them. thank you for the dedication to educating people about leo’s! i hope they enjoyed their treat🥰 i’ve never given mine one before!! i wonder if they’d like them

[@jennw5299]

also your commentary was killing me 🤣🤣

[@ReptileJen]

"and to the snake keepers, stop laughing at me, I know you are" - 😂😳 Sorry!! 😂 You did a really good job lol well done - leos really seemed to enjoy them 😊 I would love a video on wild diet of leopard geckos!

[@nazzkid23]

I'm sure someone else has already mentioned this but pinkys haven't really got bones! They have cartilige "scaffolding" basically where the calcium will deposit and the bones harden as they grow :)

[@mud8833]

Thanks for sharing this. My vet told me that small pinkies can be helpful once (or even twice) a year. I'm glad to see you sharing this with the Leo community.

[@cherellzandell6139]

I think it's great that you're doing what's best for your animals, even if it's not your favorite thing to do 😆

[@thedarkhaven5715]

🫡

[@TheFlossmeister]

Just to say that I got my first leo 5 years ago today and have based her care upon your guides, and she is a happy young lady. Keep up the good work, especially in the lesser covered areas of husbandry!

[@kerriminx18]

You did a great job in this video, despite you being uncomfortable you bucked up and acted like the best reptile mum you could be.

[@pamhouweling7141]

If all I have to do to help prolong a good life for my beloved gecko is feed a pinkie when they need it for their health. I will go ick! And bring out the tongs😂😊

[@WonderfulWorldReptiles]

I think you should get a snake. I think you would end up falling in love with a snake if you had one. The bond you can have with a snake is incredible and the feeling when you handle them is so therapeutic. The whole feeding them rodents thing is just something you get used to.

[@Tasymantis]

im realy happy you made this video so interesting all 4 geckos eat it. they smelled it - and like, yep that food, i need it, yum...

[@eliracine9020]

Not sure why you're getting so much hate. Screw everybody. You're doing what you should to take great care of your animals.

[@Girthquake9]

Thanks for this, very eye opening and informative. The fact that they all ate it after smelling for a bit reinforces that it was natural to them. My Lumi might be getting a treat on her birthday!

[@breannathompson9094]

I love how people freak out when in the wild, a leo will eat whatever the hell it sees that moves and fits in their mouth. They would have ate more pinkies in the wild if they came across them naturally... so why is it so bad to feed to a leo who is in need extra power?

[@brittanyparker-vaughan2881]

I know you didn’t mean this to be funny, but your reaction to Maui at the beginning is pretty much my reaction at the idea of touching bugs - only I’m terrified. We’ve had our Leo for 2 1/2 weeks, and I’m not deathly afraid of bugs like I am mice/rats (I lived in Brooklyn for a few years and am traumatized), but I don’t LOVE them. I don’t like the wiggly feeling, and I never thought in a million years I’d be WILLINGLY bringing roaches into my house. But I’m so anxious parent over this gecko that I was STOKED when she finally ate Dubias last night. All this to say, I’m connecting with these reactions and I hope one day I can just palm a bunch of bugs like you and not be petrified.

[@sumerburton]

So sorry for the hate and hope you feel better soon x

[@shadowpumpkin8019]

-Laughs in snake keeper- 😂 i love you ❤ good job

[@rdnkenki]

Excellent. They really are very nutritional like you said.

[@kamanthanorlin28]

Thank you for making this video. I've been a follower of yours for years and have a leo that's 20 years old; we got in Feb 2003. I'll try this with him and see how it goes. 🤞🏼

[@ChimiChim2]

Oh I'm proud of you. I would love to have a snake too, but feeding them poor mice is not for me. Whenever I buy crickets and I see a poor rat nearby, I want to take them home 😢

[@emilyb5765]

I love how they sniff it like ewww what is this and then they go lemme get some of that XD

[@kismitj]

we love our pets and do whats best for them even when its squicky grossness like feeding frozen thawed rodents. (if there's a future repeat, blot the pinkies dry with a paper towel

[@amysreptileadventures6664]

Hey there miss Rebecca ! I have been subscribed to your channel for a very long time....I watch your videos on a regular basis & as far as I know, you are #1 in the U.K. & here in the U.S. as well, when it comes to leopard gecko info ! You have years of experience and you definitely know what you’re doing and what you’re talking about ! Over the last few years I have acquired 3 leopard geckos because of you and your channel. I agree with you & this video 100% 😉 & you are correct, geckos are opportunistic feeders & if they saw one in the wild they would eat it. & it would be a super healthy meal for them as well ! I also have a few monitor lizards and your info has helped in the care of those as well. ( everyone has deep heat projectors 😉) Dont let any negativity get you down ! You’re awesome 🥳 & thank you so much for all of your great info & thank you for posting this video !

[@djlip685]

My geckos get a rare treat of thawed pinkies probably like twice a year maybe. I usually give them if I know ill be super busy or out of town and they won't get fed. 3 love them, 1 won't touch hers. The 3 that love them honestly prefer if I don't move them around and that I set them down on a rock and let them come eat it on their own.

[@onyxiam4203]

3:15 “He’s a Vegan” 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 lmao

[@lisabanerjee7942]

They enjoyed their treat

[@GalvanGuru11]

Of course facebook why did i think the idiots and haters were here. Again thanks for all you taught me and thanks for in directly helping me keep alduin(my leo) alive for 5 years and more to come dont let them get you

[@luwildy]

The bones is the reason you don't usually have to give calcium supplements to snakes

[@littlemisslori]

Your reaction is so like I'd be, totally the reason I couldn't own a snake 😂

[@marykier]

Sorry you had back lash...you are the best!!❤

[@spacealien3073]

Honestly I feel you in this vid like one reason I got a lizard over a snake is because I don't get quite as grossed out watching a cricket or a mealworm getting eaten than a rodent lol. That noted I will keep this in mind if anything happens to my gecko and he needs a big protein boost.

[@kellynicole85]

I put a pinky in with my isopods before and they ate EVERYTHING 😮

[@speckledjim_]

I also have some older Leopards and was thinking about giving them a little boost with these, but like you they really give me the ick

[@angelinevelderrain6081]

You handled it well! ❤ I would love a deep dive video on wild L.G diets!

[@kathigortman4074]

They look healthy and happy.💚

[@dappyhappy773]

I have an assortment of reptiles including 2 Leo's and a royal python. Plus a cat and a ferret lol. Have to admit i had to laugh at the haters! Keyboard warriors getting upset at feeding a dead pinkie but have nothing to say about a live locust being eaten alive!! Keep up the good work, young lady! You always offer sound advice 💜

[@mollie8880]

eating good! 😂 you’re such a good educator and mama for letting them try new things!

[@normandcass1113]

My 8-year-old male leo eats less during the winter months, so he gets one frozen/thawed pinky in October. He loves it! I find it more disgusting than feeding my ball python.

[@cakeeeetime]

Best Gecko channel! love when pet owners, but their animals needs befor their own.

[@jonsweeney4347]

I was a little squeamish at first feeding pinkies to my snakes (garters, they were doing fish and chicken hearts before then) but eventually you get over it and realize its pretty much just a little meat jellybean.

[@marciacoco9549]

Wow it’s crazy how they took those pinky mice ‼️‼️. No Hate here..your the best ❤

[@nerdybertie4125]

Your reaction to feeding them would be mine too. I want a snake one day but the rodent feeding is a drawback for me.

[@laurenwright9633]

Egg eating snake maybe?

[@reptilelovercg8007]

Great information girl I learned about this long time ago when my girls were still alive as you know my nineteen-year-old passed away Christmas Day last year. And I still don't have the guts to feed on my pinky something about the baby thing of end up having to deal with the baby if they didn't eat it. So I totally get.

[@jgfishing27]

Yes leopard geckos will feed on tiny reptiles, tiny amphibians, tiny mammalian prey in the wild. THIS IS NORMAL! What's not normal is if one fed pinkies to your gecko often. You do what you gotta do for your reptiles 🙏🏾

[@Gekko3s]

NICE VIDEO, NICE leopard geckos

[@Dragonemperess]

Sahyu is getting one for Thanksgiving.

[@gryllidaeperkcal1369]

You’re the reason I switched over to the deep heat projector, then I eventually switched over to incandescent heat lamps.

[@pamhouweling7141]

You are spot on in your information. And kudos for doing this for your geckos health despite your feelings on the ick factor😮. It is actually done a lot in hotter countries due to accessibility.

[@LukeMcGuireoides]

You just know leopard geckos stumble upon desert mice nests in the wild and raid them.

[@Katie.girll00]

Honestly seeing this video makes me want to give my leopard gecko one cause I think he’d like it a lot I don’t know why so many people are hating

[@amarijamison459]

Thank you for doing this! I was looking for more variety for my geckos to provide as snakes. I always wondered if they could eat these. I used to feed pinkies and other dead frozen rodents from pet stores to my bearded dragons as treats.

[@Dayisnear]

Have yet to see the entire vlog, but felt I had to open my yt on my ipad ( usually watches on the tv 😅), but always enjoy your vids and info. But the geckos pleaaased look absolutely made my day. Granted, ain’t always enjoyable to feed them but have to state that it do get a bit easier every time one defrosts and feed with mice(etc). Ain’t got any reason atm to know that, but as a teenager I owned corn snakes and therefor am familiar with the process tothe rest of my familys enjoyment with me occupying a entire bottom shelf in the fridge for their food 😅

[@Dayisnear]

And entire video seen. Loved your comments!

[@tipoff6016]

Very nice. I'll do the same for my girl eventually. I tried when I rescued her but she was still adjusting, and she's not in any need of any extra nutrients right now.

[@phelan_pt]

Feeding pinkies is definitely not for me, whether it's to my geckos, or to my ants (yes, some people feed these to ants). I am extremely squicked by the idea, so my reaction if I ever have to do it for the geckos' health will be very similar to yours, or possibly more extreme 😅 Thank you for doing the video, and knowing all the research you do before trying something new with your pets, I trust that you wouldn't do it if it wasn't necessary. I really appreciate all the work you do for the community! :)

[@mud8833]

I'm glad you put out the video and have started getting people to talk about this topic. It was interesting because when you posted, I asked a couple of veterinarians that specifically work with Leopard Geckos about it and all 3 said - Of course it is something that they have "prescribed" it before. They said (just as you have) that they are opportunity feeders. It was clear from the video that you didn't take feeding the pinkies lightly and you were hesitant to do so. You did it for the benefit of your animals - pure and simple. Thank you as always for the great content.

[@tiffanyt3169]

If you ever are curious about snakes, but the mice/rats continue to be hard to get used to, you could look at an egg-eating snake. If you can find a steady supply of like quail or similarly sized eggs, you could own one. Personally, I started with snakes and waited to get geckos because I wasn't sure if I could deal with crickets and roaches. But it's not nearly as bad as I thought it would be

[@Daniiix2024]

I love how maui and minnie took barely any convincing, diegos first reaction was "f*ck no" and gizmo looked like a cat gagging at something offered to them 😂

[@CooperHudgins]

The people arguing that you shouldn’t do this have some of the dumbest opinions ever. These people think the only thing small reptiles should ever eat their entire life is just bugs. As someone in the reptile community who’s learned so much about the natural world over the years, it just makes me sick hearing all of that.

[@the_animal_ark]

Amazing video ❤

[@trickypigs]

Love seeing so much support in the comments! This is a great video Rebecca, well done!

[@Smog.hater.420]

That thing was smaller than large Doobie roaches lol what are people freaking out about? Also, Maui's head is so big and cute lol. ❤

[@Midwest_Lizard_Mom]

Anyone who's hating on this didn't watch the vid. You were doing this for their health and clearly didn't enjoy doing it. I love the vids you do. You care so much about your animals. Don't let anyone's negative comments bring you down.

[@amarilisjuarez5962]

I understand that’s something very good for the health of the elderly geckos but I’m not looking forward for the moment I have to do it for my Echo (leopard gecko) but I wasn’t sure I could handle meal worms and I’m doing it because I want him to have a variety of food so I guess when the time comes I’ll just do it, I just don’t think I would be able to hand feed him a pinky I’ll do it with the tweezers 😫

[@Beth-iw4ur]

Sorry about the hate ❤ love your channel! Don’t let it get you down :)

[@mareedonahue8310]

I love how Maui zoomed off and then turned around to see what on earth you were offering him 😅

[@caitlynm8]

So cool! I should feed my gecko one :)

[@theghal]

You have really helped me with my two Leo's and I appreciate it I'm about to get my 3rd one soon and I can't wait

[@thebotanicalden8468]

I've been thinking about doing this as a treat to my rescues.

[@chiara7628]

can you do an updated leopard gecko care video, with heating, lighting, substrate, etc.?

[@McLizard88]

"To the snake keepers, stop laughing at me" 😂❤️

[@ironix1]

It's great you are trying to afford your reptiles a varied diet of natural foods they would find in their natural habitat. Well done to you!

[@pedromegale7751]

Thanks for This video. I am very used to feed rodents to my rainbow boa, but never really thought about giving my gecko a pinkie as a rare treat. I’ll think about doing that.

[@joe241able]

i might try this

[@JOY_BOY999]

very sorry for the hate

[@lizardspleen9497]

ms minnies age is showing 🥺

[@nutmeggs]

People need to grow up. ONE time feeding something isn't going to be an issue.

[@eiwaransichsein]

Wow, I didn't think that they are eating things like that, but it make sense. Thanks for content, it really helped me with my project.

[@thedarkhaven5715]

A problem no problem here

[@hallway_revenant7919]

My little man is turning 4 soon and has never had one, do you think I could offer? I still have some left over from when my other lizard needed to put on weight.

[@DoorsToHideBehind156]

I'm really honestly surprised that you got backlash for feeding pinkies to leopard geckos. They are very high in calcium and great for breeding females to bulk up again after laying. I thought this was common knowledge. I once saw an Instagram video of a guy feeding a live adult mouse to his leopard gecko and that absolutely should have gotten hate. Way too big of a prey item and shouldn't have been done.

[@Smog.hater.420]

If it wasn't for your channel, my gecko would still be in sand right now

[@carbon3d]

I was wondering about this. I knew they'd come in rare contact in nature with mice. It's just not something they'd actively be seeking out or seeing. My Buddy, Bubba will eat the tongs if they're empty and he's hungry, so I'm almost certain he'd take one of these. He just turned 2 on the 4th of July (Murrica Boy). I might give him one this spring, as he had a tiny brumation period his first, and second winter. Not my favorite time of the year, because I love him "asking" to come out and chill. Also no his enclosure isn't too small. It's 4x2x2 120Gal. He's just a Daddy's Boy.

[@mellymoore8390]

Thanks for the video ❤

[@benjaminkazanas1008]

Loved the video and sorry for the hate. You're the best! ❤

[@christawiswesser7056]

I like your leopard geckos it's okay to give pinky mice to a leopard gecko one inawhile you did a good job

[@Tom-repgeck]

Great informative video. Thanks for the disclaimer and education. I have a 21 year old male leo. He is definitely showing his age. Trouble shedding on one foot, blind and moves slower. Do you think a pinky would be beneficial for him? Just curious. Thanks!

[@eco-logicgecko112]

"oh, Diego's rejected it. Absolutely not. He's a vegan. Goodbye." Pmsl 😂 😂 great video 👍

[@mysticfanelia]

LMAO yes. As a snake keeper I am absolutely laughing 😅😅😅

[@Witchfoot.Incorporated]

Look next time someone comes for you, just show them this: I feed my leopard gecko: pinkies, button quail fetuses, assortment of outside bugs, baby wild anole lizards, feeder goldfish, spiders and one time in an emergency warmed up cooked ham. 😂

[@nicecream9930]

It’s very good that there is a disclaimer and a lot of thought out behind this decision and maybe once is not harmful. However it’s important to note that when in captivity, not every aspect of wildlife needs to be replicated. We are supposed to prolong their life in exchange for holding them. We keep them safe from other geckos, disease, starvation, predators. That means they should also not have to go after small birds mammals or reptiles. Although opportunistic they are insectivorous. Personally I would not encourage this, and focus on improving the gut loading and insect variety.