Leopard geckos are fascinating, relatively low-maintenance reptiles, and providing them with the right environment and care is key to their long, healthy life. These popular pet lizards are known for their docile nature and striking patterns, making them excellent companions for both beginner and experienced reptile enthusiasts.
Understanding Your Leopard Gecko
Leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) are nocturnal, crepuscular desert dwellers native to parts of Asia. They are ground-dwelling lizards known for their ability to store fat in their tails, which serves as an energy reserve. With proper care, they can live for 10-20 years.
Essential Enclosure Setup
Creating a suitable habitat is paramount for your leopard gecko's well-being. A proper enclosure provides the necessary space, temperature gradients, and hiding spots for them to thrive.
Tank Size and Type
For an adult leopard gecko, a minimum of a 10-gallon tank is acceptable, but a 20-gallon long tank or larger (24x12x12 inches) is highly recommended to allow for ample space for exploration, hides, and temperature gradients. Glass aquariums with secure mesh tops are ideal.
Substrate Choices
Choosing a safe substrate is crucial to prevent impaction and provide a comfortable environment.
- Safe Substrates:
- Paper Towels: Excellent for juveniles, easy to clean, and safe.
- Reptile Carpet: Reusable and safe, but requires regular cleaning to prevent bacteria buildup.
- Slate Tile or Non-Adhesive Shelf Liner: Easy to clean and holds heat well.
- Loose Substrates (for experienced keepers): A 50/50 mix of organic topsoil and play sand, or specialized reptile-safe sand/soil mixes, can be used for adult geckos, but always monitor for ingestion. Avoid pure sand, calcium sand, or crushed walnut shells as they pose high impaction risks.
Heating and Lighting
Leopard geckos are cold-blooded and require a thermal gradient to regulate their body temperature.
- Temperature Zones:
- Cool Side: Maintain temperatures between 75-85°F (24-29°C).
- Warm Side (Basking Area): The primary heat source should create a warm spot between 88-92°F (31-33°C).
- Heat Sources:
- Under Tank Heater (UTH): Controlled by a thermostat, UTHs are excellent for providing belly heat, which aids in digestion. Place it under one side of the tank to create the warm spot.
- Ceramic Heat Emitter (CHE): A non-light-emitting heat source that can be used to supplement ambient air temperatures, especially at night if temperatures drop too low.
- Daylight Bulb (Optional): While leopard geckos are nocturnal, a low-wattage incandescent bulb on a timer can provide a day/night cycle. UVB lighting (5-7% strength) is increasingly recommended by experts for overall health, even for nocturnal species, to aid in vitamin D3 synthesis. If used, ensure proper placement and duration.
Hides and Decor
Leopard geckos need at least three places to hide to feel secure and manage their thermoregulation effectively.
- Warm Hide: Located on the warm side of the enclosure.
- Cool Hide: Situated on the cooler side.
- Moist Hide: Essential for shedding, this hide should contain a damp substrate like sphagnum moss or paper towels. It helps prevent retained shed skin, especially on their toes and around their eyes.
- Additional Decor: Rocks, branches, and artificial plants can provide enrichment and climbing opportunities. Ensure all items are stable and safe.
Water Dish
Always provide a shallow, stable water dish with fresh, clean water. Change the water daily. For added humidity, especially beneficial for shedding, you can mist the moist hide daily.
Diet and Nutrition
Leopard geckos are insectivores, meaning their diet should consist entirely of live insects.
- Staple Feeder Insects:
- Crickets: Gut-loaded crickets are a primary food source.
- Mealworms: A good staple, but offer in moderation due to their harder chitin.
- Dubia Roaches: Highly nutritious and a favorite among many geckos.
- Treat Insects (in moderation):
- Superworms: Larger and fattier; feed occasionally.
- Hornworms: High in moisture and palatable, good for hydration.
- Waxworms: Very fatty; only offer as an infrequent treat.
- Supplementation:
- Calcium Powder: Dust feeder insects with pure calcium carbonate (without D3) at almost every feeding.
- Calcium with D3: Dust feeder insects with calcium containing D3 about 2-3 times a week, or as recommended by your vet, especially if not using UVB lighting.
- Multivitamin Supplement: Dust feeder insects with a reptile multivitamin (containing vitamin A) once or twice a week.
- Feeding Schedule:
- Juveniles (under 6 months): Feed daily.
- Sub-adults (6-12 months): Feed every other day.
- Adults (over 12 months): Feed 2-3 times per week.
Important: Always gut-load your feeder insects 24-48 hours before feeding them to your gecko. This means feeding the insects nutritious foods like fresh vegetables (carrots, dark leafy greens) and commercial gut-loading diets.
Handling and Socialization
Leopard geckos are generally docile and can become quite accustomed to human interaction.
- Gentle Approach: Always approach your gecko slowly and avoid sudden movements.
- Initial Acclimation: Allow new geckos several days to a week to settle into their new environment before attempting to handle them.
- Support Their Body: When handling, always support their entire body, especially their tail, and scoop them up rather than grabbing.
- Short Sessions: Start with short handling sessions (5-10 minutes) and gradually increase the duration as your gecko becomes more comfortable.
Shedding Cycle
Leopard geckos shed their skin regularly as they grow. This process is usually quick and occurs at night.
- Signs of Shedding: Your gecko's skin will appear dull, gray, or whitish, and they may be less active or hide more.
- Moist Hide Importance: The moist hide is critical during shedding to help loosen the old skin.
- Self-Consumption: Geckos typically eat their shed skin, which is a natural way for them to recycle nutrients.
- Assistance (Rarely Needed): If you notice retained shed, especially on toes or around the eyes, gently assist by providing extra humidity or a brief, shallow soak in lukewarm water. Never pull off shed skin forcefully.
Common Health & Wellness
Regular observation of your leopard gecko is key to identifying potential health issues early.
- Signs of a Healthy Gecko:
- Bright, clear eyes.
- Clean vent area.
- Good appetite.
- Active and alert.
- Round, plump tail.
- When to Seek Vet Care:
- Loss of appetite or weight loss.
- Lethargy or unusual behavior.
- Swelling, lumps, or abnormal growths.
- Difficulty shedding or retained shed.
- Diarrhea or abnormal stools.
- Any signs of respiratory issues (wheezing, open-mouth breathing).
- If you suspect metabolic bone disease (MBD) which can cause bowed limbs or jaw deformities (often due to calcium/D3 deficiency).
For more detailed information on leopard gecko care and common ailments, consult a reputable reptile veterinarian or resources like Reptile Basics or The Reptile Apartment.
Leopard Gecko Care Checklist
This table summarizes key aspects of daily and weekly care:
Aspect | Daily Care | Weekly Care | Monthly/As Needed Care |
---|---|---|---|
Water | Provide fresh, clean water. | Scrub and sanitize water dish. | Deep clean enclosure (see below). |
Feeding | Offer appropriate feeder insects (based on age). | Supplement feeders with calcium/D3 and multivitamin. | Observe appetite and body condition. |
Temperature/Humidity | Check basking spot and ambient temperatures. | Mist moist hide if needed. | Monitor thermometer/hygrometer calibration. |
Enclosure Cleanliness | Spot clean waste. | Replace paper towels/liner; clean reptile carpet/tiles. | Deep clean tank, disinfect decor, replace loose substrate. |
Health Check | Observe activity, appetite, and general demeanor. | Check for retained shed, especially on toes. | Weigh your gecko to monitor growth/health. |
Deep Cleaning Your Enclosure
Regular deep cleaning is essential to maintain a hygienic environment.
- Remove Gecko: Place your gecko in a secure, temporary holding tank.
- Remove All Substrate & Decor: Discard old loose substrate.
- Clean Tank: Wash the tank with a reptile-safe disinfectant or a 10% bleach solution (rinse thoroughly and air dry).
- Clean Decor: Scrub and disinfect all hides, dishes, and decor.
- Replace Substrate & Setup: Replace with fresh substrate and rearrange decor.
By diligently following these guidelines, you'll be well-equipped to provide excellent care for your leopard gecko, ensuring they live a happy, healthy, and long life.