Leopard Gecko Care Sheet
Over the years, Leopard Geckos have become one of the most popular reptiles to keep among both beginning and advanced hobbyists. They are very easy to care for, stay a reasonable size, and are relatively inexpensive to maintain. Plus, they have amazing personalities and come in an array of gorgeous colors!
Of course, before purchasing any animal it is critical that you have educated yourself and loaded your brain with as much information as possible. Below, we're going to look at some of the basics that come with caring for a leopard gecko, and read some answers to some of the most common questions many have about leopard geckos.
First of all, what is a leopard gecko? Where do they come from?
A leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) is a small, crepuscular, terrestrial gecko that hails from Afghanistan, Pakistan, the highlands of Asia, as well as some parts of northern India and Iran. These geckos have a very special trait that they don't share with many other geckos, and that is their moveable and functionable eyelids. They also lack toe pads that would allow them to climb or scale smooth surfaces. Their nature habitats include rocky desert regions and grasslands, and they spend the majority of their days in the wild in burrows of rock crevices. When leopard geckos were a newer addition to the pet trade, many of them were imported from these regions around the world, however now leopard geckos are very much established within captivity and are rarely imported from the wild anymore.
How much is a leopard gecko?
The price of leopard geckos can vary drastically. There are multiple factors that go into deciding how much a particular gecko will be. It can depend on the breeder you work with, the genetics and age of the animal, and even the gender! It also can count on whether the breeder you are working with produced the animals themselves or purchased the animals from another breeder to sell. Leopard geckos have been sold for as little as $15.00, and as high as $3000.00! Most commonly however, you can find a healthy, gorgeous gecko for a reasonable price. Many leopard geckos range from $30-$100.
What should you look for in a healthy leopard gecko?
When you pick out your new leopard gecko, you want to make sure you are acquiring one that is healthy and well cared for. Don't choose a gecko that is sharing a container with another gecko that appears unwell, or is on a table with animals that appear sickly. Even if the gecko you have your sights on appears well, if its cage mate is sick then it is all too likely that it is harvesting the same illness in an earlier stage. A healthy leopard gecko will have wide, clear eyes. It will have a nice thick (but not morbidly large) tail, and should not be listless or lethargic if you hold it. Some geckos have been seen to be missing toes or parts of their tail due to injury or past stuck shed incidents. This does not necessarily mean this animal wouldn't make a wonderful pet, but it's important to ask questions. If a breeder is unwilling to be forthcoming and open about the geckos past, its best to forgo that sale. If the gecko opens it's mouth (to possibly attempt to bite, which is normal upon first greetings), take advantage of this! See to make sure there are no sores or swellings inside the mouth. Always ask questions if you have a concern. Some geckos will have a regenerated tail, which does not at all affect their quality of health or life. If you do see this however, take note if it is completely healed, as well as about how it happened and how long ago. Again, if the breeder doesn't know or refuses to answer, it's best to move on. A breeder should always be able to answer any questions you have and be confident while doing so!
Where can I find a leopard gecko?
Leopard geckos have become so common in the pet trade that there are a variety of places you are able to acquire one. Everywhere and everyone that has leopard geckos for sale however don't necessarily provide healthy animals or transparent/accurate information. Chain pet stores are never recommended. Reptiles are growing more and more in popularity, however they are still considered specialty exotic pets. Chain pet stores sometimes struggle to provide correct information to new owners regarding the proper care of these reptiles. Avoidable injuries and deaths have been reported because of inaccurate information given at the time of purchasing a leopard gecko, and often times chain pet stores fail to keep reptiles in optimal health and this can encourage the spreading of disease. Private breeders and reptile expositions are optimal places to find a leopard gecko, as you will have the great opportunity to speak to individuals that work intimately with leopard geckos and can provide you in-depth education about the animals history and proper care.
So you know what a leopard gecko is, you know how much they are, and you know just the right place to get one! Now, how should you care for your new gecko? Let's explore...
Housing:
Leopard geckos are popularly referred to as "apartment pets" for a reason! They stay conveniently small. Most leopard geckos will not surpass 10 inches (not considering certain giant/super giant morphs) and can spend their entire lives in a 10-gallon tank. For two leopard geckos, a 20-gallon tank is best, and for every additional leopard gecko you add to the enclosure, you should grow your tank by 10 more gallons. Never house male leopard geckos together, as they will display extreme amounts of aggression and altercations can lead to death. Males and females should only be housed for breeding purposes, and care should be taken in assuring a female is not growing to stressed with an overzealous male. Females often cohabitate successfully with one another in a 20-gallon or larger tank (depending on your number of females of course), however attention should also be given to assure one female does not become aggressive, dominant, or territorial over food and/or tank space.
Heat:
Leopard geckos are reptiles, and reptiles are thermoregulatory (a.k.a - cold blooded). They heat and cool their bodies using the temperature around them. A heat source is crucial for your leopard geckos health and well being. Without one, they will not eat, they will become stressed, and they will become much more susceptible to illness and death. An attractive thing about a leopard gecko is that they do not require a UVA or UVB light, and can actually just be supplied with an under-tank heater (a heat pad) placed on the bottom of one side of their tank or enclosure. Often times there are heat pads that are specifically tailored to and labeled to match with tank sizes, ensuring temperature regulation. The side of the enclosure that the heat pad is on is the 'warm side', and should be kept at around 88-90 degrees Fahrenheit, and have a cool side at between 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Vitamins:
Almost all reptiles require a vitamin supplement of some kind. Unlike the insects in their natural habitats feeders in captivity do not contain the same kind of calcium and vitamins that leopard geckos need. It is crucial to provide your gecko with a calcium and vitamin supplement. This will keep your gecko in good health and prevent illness that comes with calcium deficiency such as Metabolic Bone Disease. Dust your adult geckos food twice to three times a week with a powdered supplement, and for a juvenile gecko dust every day. Some people use two types of powder: a calcium and a vitamin mix, however I personally like the ease of an all-in-one powder. Repashy Calcium Plus is an excellent choice!
Diet:
Leopard geckos are insectivores, meaning they only consume insects as their primary diet. I choose to feed my colony a diet of mainly superworms and mealworms. Crickets are a staple diet that many choose to use, however I personally do not. crickets are not nutritionally rich, carry high loads of parasites, and die quickly in captive care. Because they cannot be confined to bowls, uneaten crickets that go temporarily unnoticed in a geckos cage can cause stress for your gecko. Adult leopard geckos can be fed every other night, and some may only be willing to eat once full grown twice a week. Babies and juveniles should be fed daily to promote healthy growth and development.
Substrate:
Leopard geckos can be housed on a variety of substrates, however loose substrates are rarely recommended. Sands, mulches, soils, and barks can be ingested and cause internal injury or impaction. Paper towels, tiling, non-adhesive vinyl shelf liner, and reptile carpet can be used. Keep in mind with reptile carpeting toenail injuries can occur more easily, and so this substrate is one keepers should use with mindfulness.
Hydration:
Leopard geckos may be desert creatures, but water is still a very important need they have! It is important to provide your gecko with a water dish, however some geckos refuse to drink from standing water. If you find that your gecko does not prefer a water bowl, mist their enclosure every other day. They will drink the drops of water from decor and enclosure walls, and this will satisfy their thirst.
Decor:
Leopard geckos are very simplistic creatures, and do not require much in their tank. Most decor is for your pleasure and can be used with a gecko as long as it's safe. One thing that is crucial however is the hide over their warm spot. A leopard gecko must have a hide to sleep in through the day (as they are nocturnal), or they will become stressed. A moist hide is also an important part of a geckos shedding cycle and hydration, and should be provided on one end of their tank as well, preferably on the warm side as well however moist hides can go on the cool side.
Handling and Temperament:
Leopard geckos are one of the easiest reptiles to handle because of their size and their docile nature. They are also very hardy animals, and next to bearded dragons they are excellent for children and beginners. Caution still of course must be taken with these animals. One of the most important things to remember about handling a leopard gecko is to make sure you don't pick them up or hold them by the tail, for it will break off as a natural defense mechanism. Allow your gecko to crawl freely over your palms, and to pick up your animal simply grasp gently around the main part of the geckos body. It is best to handle your gecko close to the floor, so that if they fall they will not fall very far. Leopard geckos rarely bite, however it is important to keep in mind that any animal can bite. Take comfort in that most times, a gecko bite is more startling than painful, and will do very little if any damage to the skin.
Ultimately, leopard geckos are affordable and easy to handle and care for, but they still do come with responsibility. A male leopard gecko has been known to sometimes live upwards of 25 years, and a female may live up to 15. Leopard geckos are a commitment, but they can be a rewarding one!
