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How Do I Care for Leopard Geckos?

Cynde Gregory
Cynde Gregory

Leopard geckos are fascinating pets, and properly cared for, they can remain your friend for a quarter of a century. While they aren’t particularly difficult to tend, certain things, such as providing live insects and a proper cage, are nonnegotiable. Lizard pet aficionados abound; there are more who keep leopard geckos than any other type, which is a tribute to just how manageable they are.

Your bug-eyed buddy needs a house that is up to a gecko’s idea of home sweet home. Too small and it will go stir crazy; too large and it might wander to the ends of its own little world and far away from the all-important heat lamp. Plan on about 10 gallons (about 38 liters) of aquarium for each gecko in the tribe, and supply a hideout into which vermiculite or natural moss has been installed. Be sure the screen atop the aquarium is secure enough to keep little-people hands and cat’s paws out and the gecko in. Screening the top also allows the flow of fresh air.

Leopard geckos need a box with moss inside it to hide in.
Leopard geckos need a box with moss inside it to hide in.

Whether it costs a few bucks or several thousand, gecko owners bear the responsibility of keeping their little lizard friends in tip-top shape. It’s true that human bodies thrive on veggies and whole grains, but that kind of food just makes a gecko roll its eyes in disgust. Not only do geckos demand crunchy, live crickets or wriggling mealworms on the dinner plate, they really need those insects to be well fed, or gut loaded, with super-healthy hog mash.

Crickets are a staple of the leopard gecko's diet.
Crickets are a staple of the leopard gecko's diet.

This might make lizard owners hungry, but many leopard geckos find a snack of their own skin irresistible, at least once they’ve stepped out of it. A saucer of water that is refreshed daily and topped off with vitamin drops is an absolute necessity. The bottom of the bowl must be flat and the sides deep because spilled water could cause mildew, mold, or other icky problems. Next to the water, it’s a good idea to place a small container of nutritional supplements in the form of a powder that can be purchased at a pet store.

Keep the habitat floor free of sand or other substrates that contain tiny bits. While mature, healthy geckos are tough guys who can handle it, youngsters and sick or aging geckos might, for reasons of their own, ingest the matter and end up with bellyaches bad enough to kill. Safer bets are stones, pea gravel, or several layers of newspaper.

Leopard geckos don’t like getting the cold shoulder either. One way to make sure they’ve got a good substitute for desert heat is with a heat lamp, but this can be dangerous if someone isn’t available to check it often and turn it off when it gets overly warm. A safer bet is heat tape or an undertank-style heating pad tucked beneath the cage flooring. This will provide steady heat in a limited location so the gecko can find cooler spots elsewhere in the habitat.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ideal habitat setup for a leopard gecko?

To create a comfortable habitat for a leopard gecko, you'll need a 10-20 gallon terrarium for one gecko, with a warm side heated to 88-90°F and a cool side around 75°F. Provide hiding spots, a moist hide for shedding, and a substrate like reptile carpet or tile. Avoid sand or small particles to prevent impaction.

How often should I feed my leopard gecko, and what diet is best?

Leopard geckos should be fed every day for juveniles and every other day for adults. Their diet should consist of live insects such as crickets, mealworms, and waxworms. Dust the insects with calcium and vitamin D3 supplements to prevent metabolic bone disease, as recommended by reptile care experts.

Do leopard geckos require special lighting?

Leopard geckos are nocturnal and do not require UVB lighting to metabolize calcium if they are provided with adequate dietary supplements. However, a natural light cycle that mimics day and night is beneficial. If you choose to provide UVB, a low-intensity bulb is sufficient, as per veterinary guidelines for reptile care.

How do I handle my leopard gecko safely?

To handle your leopard gecko, approach it calmly and scoop it up gently from beneath. Support its body and avoid grabbing the tail, as it can detach as a defense mechanism. Limit handling sessions to prevent stress, and always wash your hands before and after to prevent the spread of bacteria.

What are the signs of a healthy leopard gecko?

A healthy leopard gecko will have clear, bright eyes, a robust body, a thick tail (where they store fat), and smooth, unblemished skin. They should be alert and active during the evening and night, have a good appetite, and shed their skin regularly without issues, indicating proper husbandry and nutrition.

How can I tell if my leopard gecko is sick?

Signs of illness in leopard geckos include lethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss, irregular shedding, swollen limbs or abdomen, discharge from the eyes or nose, and abnormal feces. If you notice any of these symptoms, consult a veterinarian with experience in reptiles to ensure prompt and appropriate care.

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    • Leopard geckos need a box with moss inside it to hide in.
      By: k_kron
      Leopard geckos need a box with moss inside it to hide in.
    • Crickets are a staple of the leopard gecko's diet.
      By: viter
      Crickets are a staple of the leopard gecko's diet.