Leopard geckos are one of the most popular pet reptiles due to their small size, relatively easy care, and docile temperaments. These terrestrial lizards are native to the deserts of Asia and the Middle East. With proper housing, feeding, and handling, leopard geckos can live 10-20 years in captivity. This guide will cover their basic care and requirements as pets.
Housing
Leopard geckos are terrestrial lizards that require an appropriate enclosure to thrive.
Enclosure Type and Size
- Glass tanks or plastic terrariums work well. 10-20 gallon sizes are ideal for one gecko.
- Screen-topped enclosures provide ventilation but increase humidity loss.
- Juveniles start in smaller 5-10 gallon enclosures.
Substrate
- Paper towel or reptile carpets are recommended to prevent accidental ingestion.
- Calcium or natural sand can also work with close monitoring. Avoid small pellet substrates.
Decor and Hiding Spots
- 2-3 hiding caves are needed, one warm and one cool. Moist hides aid shedding.
- Fake plants, logs, and rocks provide added enrichment.
- Keep decor low for ground-dwelling geckos.
Heating and Lighting
- Use an under tank heater on one side to create a thermal gradient.
- Daytime ambient temperatures: 85-90°F warm side, 70-75°F cool side.
- Nocturnal so require no special UVB lighting, only 12 hours of daylight.
- Leopard geckos are native to the arid regions of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and parts of India. They are well-adapted to desert environments and have unique features such as eyelids and sticky toe pads to help them navigate their surroundings.
- These geckos are known for their beautiful and distinctive patterns, which can vary greatly in color and pattern. They can have spots, stripes, or a combination of both, and their colors can range from yellow and orange to brown and black.
- Leopard geckos are nocturnal creatures, meaning they are most active during the night. They have excellent night vision and rely on their sense of smell and hearing to locate prey, which primarily consists of insects such as crickets and mealworms.
- Unlike many other gecko species, leopard geckos have the ability to detach their tails as a defense mechanism. If they feel threatened, they can shed their tail, which will continue to wiggle and distract predators while the gecko makes its escape. The tail will eventually grow back, but it may not look exactly the same as before.
- Leopard geckos are popular pets due to their relatively low maintenance requirements and docile nature. They can live for 10 to 20 years with proper care and can be a great choice for beginner reptile owners. However, it’s important to research and understand their specific needs before bringing one home.
Feeding
Leopard geckos are insectivores so receive a diet of live insects and calcium/vitamin supplements.
Diet and Nutrition
- Crickets, mealworms, dubia roaches, silkworms work well. Gut-load insects.
- Dust food with calcium supplement 5x weekly, multivitamin 2x weekly.
- Juveniles eat daily. Adults eat every other day.
Feeder Insects
- Variety provides ideal nutrition. Crickets offer best calcium:phosphorus ratio.
- Mealworms lack calcium so limit intake. Superworms may cause impaction.
- Only feed size-appropriate insects no longer than space between gecko’s eyes.
Supplements
- Dust insect prey with calcium and D3 at least 2-3 feedings weekly.
- Use multivitamin supplement at 1-2 feedings per week.
- Supplements aid proper bone growth and prevent metabolic bone disease.
Feeding Techniques and Schedules
- Feed juveniles smaller prey every day. Adults get larger prey every other day.
- Gut-load feeder insects on nutrient-rich foods 24-48 hours before feeding.
- Dust prey with supplements just before offering to gecko to maximize intake.
- Remove uneaten prey within 15-20 minutes to prevent biting.
Handling and Temperament
Leopard geckos can become very tame and handleable reptile pets with regular interaction.
Handling Techniques
- Support full body from below, do not pick up by tail. Keep secure grip.
- Start with 10-15 minutes handling per session.
- Wash hands before and after, do not handle after touching other reptiles.
Normal Gecko Behaviors
- Will lick eyes and nose to clean themselves and surroundings.
- May wag or vibrate tail when threatened or during hunting.
- Typical lifespan of 10-20 years when healthy.
Taming an Untamed Gecko
- Start with hand in tank to acclimate gecko. Offer food treats by hand.
- Scoop up gently, Support full body. Limit handling time at first.
- With regular handling, even skittish geckos will learn to tolerate interaction.
Health and Hygiene
Keeping the enclosure and your gecko clean and monitoring for signs of illness ensures its health.
Signs of Illness
- Labored breathing, mucus in mouth, loss of appetite, or lethargy require vet visit.
- Repeated regurgitation of food may indicate parasitism.
- Abscesses, mouth rot, and stuck shed also need medical attention.
Basic First Aid
- Apply antibiotic ointment to any wounds using clean gloves or wash hands thoroughly.
- Do not attempt to set bones – immobilize limb and go to an exotic vet.
- Monitor for normal eating, activity, and bowel movements after any injury.
Tail Loss
- Geckos can detach and regrow their tails. Clean any wound and watch for infection.
- Support nutrition while regrowing by offering size-appropriate food 2-3 times weekly.
- Do not pull on tails, as this can cause trauma. New tails appear more stubby.
Shedding Assistance
- Most geckos shed skin every 4-6 weeks, eating shed. Retained eyecaps need removal.
- Moist hides or gentle moisture baths aid shedding. Avoid peeling skin.
- Use moist cotton swab to gently roll off retained eyecaps if needed.
Cleaning the Enclosure
- Spot clean feces daily. Disinfect and change paper towels or substrate every 2-4 weeks.
- Clean hides, plants, decorations when fouled. Disinfect with diluted bleach or other reptile-safe products.
- Rinse thoroughly and allow to dry completely before returning to enclosure.
Breeding
With proper setups, leopard geckos can be bred at home but require careful management.
Gender Identification
- Mature males can be distinguished from females by hemipenal bulges near the tail base.
- Males also have broader heads and larger femoral pores on the undersides of thighs.
Breeding Setup
- Cooling down males for 1-2 months leads to successful breeding.
- Introduce male to female enclosure. Provide additional hide areas.
- After confirmed mating, return geckos to separate enclosures.
Egg Laying and Incubation
- Females lay pairs of eggs every 2-3 weeks during breeding season.
- Ideal egg incubation temperature is 82-88°F with consistent humidity.
- Hatching occurs in 40-60 days. Do not assist emerging babies.
Caring for Hatchlings
- House hatchlings together for first few weeks before separating into individual enclosures.
- Feed size-appropriate insects 3-4 times daily dusted with supplements.
- Monitor temperatures and humidity closely for these delicate juveniles.
Conclusion
Leopard geckos are easy-to-care-for reptile pets but still require appropriate enclosures, heating, variety of gutloaded feeder insects, supplements, and attentive husbandry. Their calm personalities and relatively small size make them a popular first pet reptile. With proper setup and care, leopard geckos can thrive and live 10 or more years in captivity. Regular handling allows them to become docile and handleable.
Key Takeaways
- Provide proper heating and hides. Vary diet with gutloaded insects. Use supplements.
- Tame skittish geckos with regular, gentle handling. Support body fully when lifting.
- Monitor for signs of illness. Assist shedding if needed. Disinfect enclosure regularly.
- Identify gender for breeding. Cool males first. Incubate eggs appropriately.
- Care for hatchlings requires more diligent monitoring of temperature and humidity.