What critical preparation steps must be taken before feeding any whole fruit offering to a crested gecko?

Mashing thoroughly or chopping into very fine pieces, and removing any pits or seeds

Preparation is nearly as vital as the selection of the fruit itself because crested geckos are physically incapable of chewing large pieces of food effectively. Therefore, all fruit offerings must be manipulated to ensure safe consumption. This involves thoroughly mashing the fruit or chopping it into extremely fine pieces to facilitate easy eating. Furthermore, it is mandatory to remove any pits or seeds present in the fruit before feeding. Failure to prepare the food appropriately, such as leaving large seeds or pits (like those from stone fruits), poses a risk of choking or internal blockage.