| Captive Care & Husbandry of the Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius) |
Related Species
Leopard geckos are similar in size and care to the fat tailed
geckos of Africa.
Vivarium Size & Design
A single leopard gecko can live adequately in a 10 gallon
aquarium (18" x 10" footprint) but will appreciate the extra space
of a 15 gallon (24" x 12"). I would not try to keep a pair or two
females in anything smaller than a 20 gallon long (30" x 12"), and
for a breeding trio (one male and two females) a 40 breeder is
most appropriate (36" x 18").
Leopard geckos are very "licky" and for that reason I keep mine
exclusively on non-particulate substrates like paper towels. Some
people also use newspaper or slate tiles.
Leopard geckos enjoy hides and caves and should have at least
two hides-- one on the "warm side" and one on the "cooler side."
Temperature
Leopard geckos thrive in warm temperatures and need a hot
basking spot in the mid-90's in order to stay healthy. The cool side
temperatures can drop to the upper 70's or low 80's.
Lighting
Leopard geckos, being nocturnal, do not require UVA/UVB
lighting.
Humidity
Generally speaking, a leopard geckos cage should be kept fairly
dry. Provide a bowl of clean water for drinking and a humid hide
box with moss that the geckos can retreat to during shedding and
for egg laying purposes (females only).
Feeding
Leopard geckos are primarily insectivorous and can be fed a diet
of gut-loaded and dusted crickets, meal worms, phoenix worms,
and feeder roaches, with occasional wax worms. Some keepers
offer a pinky mouse from time to time, but this is not necessary.
Leopard geckos will lick calcium out of a bowl when they need it,
and for this reason a shallow dish of calcium powder should
always be provided for them.
Temperament & Handling
Leopard geckos make excellent pet lizards for first time herp
owners. They are relatively calm and can readily be tamed. They
are not typically fast moving and are easy to handle. They rarely
bite.
When holding a leopard gecko, be careful not to grab its tail, or it
will break off. Leos that lose a tail will grow a new one, but it will
often look significantly different from the old one.
Gender & Compatibility
Male leopard geckos will have a significant hemipenal bulge by
6-8 months of age and a row of large pores above their vent.
Mature males will generally fight with one another. Mature females
may sometimes scrap over food items, but will generally ignore
one another otherwise. A sexual pair can be kept together if
sexually mature, but eggs and offspring can result.
Lifespan
A well cared for leopard gecko can live 15-20 years.
Leopard geckos are similar in size and care to the fat tailed
geckos of Africa.
Vivarium Size & Design
A single leopard gecko can live adequately in a 10 gallon
aquarium (18" x 10" footprint) but will appreciate the extra space
of a 15 gallon (24" x 12"). I would not try to keep a pair or two
females in anything smaller than a 20 gallon long (30" x 12"), and
for a breeding trio (one male and two females) a 40 breeder is
most appropriate (36" x 18").
Leopard geckos are very "licky" and for that reason I keep mine
exclusively on non-particulate substrates like paper towels. Some
people also use newspaper or slate tiles.
Leopard geckos enjoy hides and caves and should have at least
two hides-- one on the "warm side" and one on the "cooler side."
Temperature
Leopard geckos thrive in warm temperatures and need a hot
basking spot in the mid-90's in order to stay healthy. The cool side
temperatures can drop to the upper 70's or low 80's.
Lighting
Leopard geckos, being nocturnal, do not require UVA/UVB
lighting.
Humidity
Generally speaking, a leopard geckos cage should be kept fairly
dry. Provide a bowl of clean water for drinking and a humid hide
box with moss that the geckos can retreat to during shedding and
for egg laying purposes (females only).
Feeding
Leopard geckos are primarily insectivorous and can be fed a diet
of gut-loaded and dusted crickets, meal worms, phoenix worms,
and feeder roaches, with occasional wax worms. Some keepers
offer a pinky mouse from time to time, but this is not necessary.
Leopard geckos will lick calcium out of a bowl when they need it,
and for this reason a shallow dish of calcium powder should
always be provided for them.
Temperament & Handling
Leopard geckos make excellent pet lizards for first time herp
owners. They are relatively calm and can readily be tamed. They
are not typically fast moving and are easy to handle. They rarely
bite.
When holding a leopard gecko, be careful not to grab its tail, or it
will break off. Leos that lose a tail will grow a new one, but it will
often look significantly different from the old one.
Gender & Compatibility
Male leopard geckos will have a significant hemipenal bulge by
6-8 months of age and a row of large pores above their vent.
Mature males will generally fight with one another. Mature females
may sometimes scrap over food items, but will generally ignore
one another otherwise. A sexual pair can be kept together if
sexually mature, but eggs and offspring can result.
Lifespan
A well cared for leopard gecko can live 15-20 years.
A nice juvenile leopard gecko. Always look for a reasonably fat tail on a
potential purchase. Skinny tails are usually an indication of malnutrition.
potential purchase. Skinny tails are usually an indication of malnutrition.
Portrait of Athena, a female leopard gecko.
Apollo is a male high-yellow Leopard Gecko.
