Should you buy Fluker's Gourmet Canned Grasshoppers for your reptile? If you keep insectivorous reptiles and want a convenient, protein-rich feeder option without the hassle of live insects, this little 1.2 oz can deserves a serious look. Fluker's has been a trusted name in reptile nutrition for decades, and their canned grasshopper line is one of the most accessible insect-based foods on the market.
The packaging is straightforward and functional — a compact, shelf-stable can that's easy to store and open. There's nothing flashy about the presentation, but for reptile keepers, what matters most is what's inside.
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Ingredients & Nutrition
The star ingredient here is exactly what it says on the label: whole grasshoppers. Grasshoppers are a nutritionally dense feeder insect, offering a solid profile of animal-based protein and fat that mirrors what many reptiles would consume in the wild. For species like bearded dragons, blue-tongued skinks, leopard geckos, and chameleons, insect protein is a dietary cornerstone — not an optional supplement.
The canning process preserves the grasshoppers without the need for artificial preservatives, which is a meaningful plus. No artificial preservatives or additives means you're serving a relatively clean protein source, free from the chemical concerns associated with some processed reptile foods.
That said, it's worth understanding a key limitation of any canned feeder insect: the canning process reduces moisture content and can diminish some heat-sensitive nutrients, including certain vitamins. This is why Fluker's canned feeders work best as part of a varied diet rather than a standalone staple. Gut-loading live feeders and dusting with calcium and vitamin D3 supplements — as recommended by most reptile nutrition experts — remains important even when incorporating convenient options like this.
Per
AAFCO frameworks for exotic and companion animal nutrition, complete and balanced diets for reptiles are still an evolving area. Until formalized standards are widely adopted for reptiles, responsible variety remains the gold standard.
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Who It's Best For
Ideal for insectivorous and omnivorous reptile owners who want a shelf-stable backup feeder option, Fluker's Canned Grasshoppers fill a specific and practical niche. Here's who benefits most:
- Bearded dragon owners supplementing a mixed diet of live feeders, greens, and vegetables
- Leopard gecko and blue-tongued skink keepers looking for variety in the feeder rotation
- Bird owners with species that consume insects (such as softbills or certain finches)
- Small animal owners with hedgehogs or sugar gliders that benefit from insect protein
This product is also genuinely useful as a travel or emergency food — when your live feeder supply runs out or you're away from your usual supply chain, a canned option is far better than skipping feedings entirely.
Where this product is not the right fit:
- Strictly herbivorous reptiles such as tortoises or green iguanas don't need insect protein and shouldn't be fed this product
- As a sole diet for any species — canned feeders should complement, not replace, a varied feeding program
- Very young hatchlings with tiny mouths may struggle with whole grasshoppers — smaller insects like pinhead crickets or fruit flies are more appropriate for the smallest juveniles
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Feeding Guidelines
Fluker's recommends offering canned grasshoppers as a supplement or treat, not the primary food source. For most insectivorous reptiles, a practical approach looks like this:
- Bearded dragons (juveniles): Offer 2–3 canned grasshoppers alongside live feeders 2–3 times per week
- Adult leopard geckos: 2–4 grasshoppers every other feeding as a rotation item
- Bearded dragons (adults): Insects should make up roughly 25–30% of the diet, with the remainder being leafy greens and vegetables — canned grasshoppers can count toward that insect portion
Always remove uneaten food from the enclosure promptly, especially in warm habitats where spoilage occurs quickly. Once opened, refrigerate any unused portion and use within 2–3 days.
Because canned insects have lost some of their natural moisture, lightly misting the grasshoppers or offering fresh water nearby during feeding sessions is a sensible practice, particularly for species prone to dehydration.
Dust with a calcium supplement before serving when possible — this compensates for any nutrient loss during processing and supports bone health, a priority flagged by reptile veterinarians and resources like the
FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine when it comes to captive exotic animal nutrition.
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The Bottom Line
The bottom line: Fluker's Gourmet Canned Grasshoppers are a smart, convenient addition to an insectivorous reptile's diet — not a replacement for live feeders, but a genuinely useful tool in any keeper's pantry. The protein quality is solid, the ingredient list is clean, and the 1.2 oz size is practical for smaller collections or trial use.
Where it falls short is predictable: canned insects simply can't replicate the full nutritional complexity of live, gut-loaded feeders, and the small can size means cost-per-gram is higher than bulk live insect orders for dedicated keepers with multiple animals. For hobbyists with one or two reptiles, though, that tradeoff makes complete sense.
If you're building a responsible reptile diet, think of this product as a reliable supplemental protein source — convenient, shelf-stable, and far better than nothing when live feeders aren't available.
Always consult a reptile-experienced veterinarian before making significant changes to your animal's diet, especially for juvenile, senior, or medically compromised reptiles.
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