Leopard Gecko
Stats
| Scientific Name | Eublepharis macularius | Maximum Length |
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| Native To | Pakistan, Northern India, Iran, Iraq & Afghanistan |
Approximate Life Span | 15 – 20 y |
General Info
Their genus name comes from the presence of their eyelids and the ability to close their eyes. Most geckos cannot close their eyes, just like all snakes. Leopard Geckos eat their shed skin which is beneficial to their diet. If the lizard has shed most of it’s skin and is unable to remove all of it (on the toes, around the eyes, etc.) you might need to help them remove these remaining bits. Soak the gecko in a shallow dish of luke warm water then use a dampend cotton swab to remove unshed skin. Be careful around the eyes. Don’t pull on a gecko’s tail as they will readily release them. A new tail will grow in it’s place but will never look the same as the original. Unlike many other geckos, Leopard Geckos cannot climb vertical surfaces. Their toes lack the lamellae which act like suction cups found on other geckos, including Tokay Geckos, House Geckos and Day Geckos. They are active during the dusk and dawn hours and can be fun to watch as they stalk their prey. Hatchlings and juveniles will be less accepting to handling than established adults. This is an inherent survival trait common to most reptiles and will fade as the geckos get older. Adults become very docile and are easy to handle.
Enclosure
A 10 gallon aquarium with a well-ventilated lid is suitable for 1 adult Leopard Gecko. If a pair or trio are going to be housed together, a 20 gallon aquarium is recommended. Keep only 1 male per enclosure. Two or more adult males together will fight. Leopard Geckos are terrestrial animals but will climb on low stable branches and rock formations. Having two hide boxes is recommended one on the warm side and one on the cool side. This allows them to thermoregulate while still staying secluded where they are more comfortable When the gecko begins to shed put damp sphagnum moss in the hide on the cools side to help them shed.
Substrate/Bedding
Do not use sand as a substrate for your gecko as this may cause impaction. Probably the best substrates are newspaper, butcher paper, or paper towels. Reptile carpets may also be used.
Heating & Humidity
Daytime cool side temperatures should be between 80 – 82°f, and warm side daytime temps should be between 85 – 90°f. Nighttime temperatures can drop as low as, but no lower than, 70°f. Keep the humidity level low. Use an under tank heater to provide belly heat which will help in digestion. Make sure the under tank heater doesn’t get so hot that it will burn your gecko. You can also use ceramic heat emitter, or other heat bulb if the under tank heater doesn’t provide enough heat or as an alternate heat source. Red colored bulbs work well because reptiles can not see them at night so they can be left on all the time. You may need to use a rheostat or thermostat to help control the heat of your selected heat sources. Reptiles need to be able to regulate their body temperature, so a temperature gradient must be provided for. Always use at least one thermometer, two is optimal. One on the cooler side, one on the warmer side. Be sure to place the thermometers down near where the geckos are so you can be sure it is the right temp near them.
Lighting
UVB is not a necessiary with nocturnal leopard geckos. All reptiles and amphibians need a photo period. A plug in timer (for your white lights only, do not use a timer for your heating devices) works well to develop a regular photo period (light cycle) of 8 – 10 hours of light, 14 – 16 hours of dark.
Food & Water
Feed your Leopard Geckos every two to three days. Geckos can eat crickets, mealworms, waxworms, superworms, and ocassionally pinkie mice. Dust crickets lightly with vitamins and a powdered calcium supplement every other feeding. Gutload feeder insects 24 hours before you feed them to you geckos. Gutloading is a way to improve the nutrition in the feeder insects so that it is passed on the the geckos when they are digested. Provide a small, shallow water bowl with fresh water and a shallow dish of calcium powder. Hatchling Leopard Geckos should be lightly misted every other day to assist them in shedding their skin.
Note: Your should use these care guides in conjunction with a book or other reliable source or reptile and amphibian information to provide the best care for your pet.
R-Zilla Shed Ease