Leopard Gecko
Leopard geckos are lovely gentle animals with real personality, which make great pets. They are easy to care for and readily available in many different colours and patterns.
Selecting Your Gecko
When purchasing a Leopard gecko it is recommended to go to a reputable reptile shop or breeder. They will be only too happy to let you see the selection of geckos they have available. The gecko should be confident with handling although hatchlings often take a minute or two to settle down. They should be bright and clean looking. Check the gecko is alert and strong looking. Leopard geckos are nocturnal, so expect to find them hiding during the day.
They can be kept in pairs or groups so long as there is no more than 1 male as they are territorial. If you do have male and females housed together be prepared for them to breed.
Housing
A wooden vivarium is best for Leopard geckos as they are better insulated than glass or plastic tanks, so its easier to get the heating set up correctly. A wooden vivarium will offer more privacy for the gecko as they only have a glass front.
One or two Leopard geckos can be kept in a 24" vivarium but they are fairly active so they would appreciate a large vivarium.
Click here for our Leopard Gecko Set Up
Heating
Temperature is very important in reptile care as they cannot produce their own body heat and need to be kept within a suitable range to help the body function correctly.
Leopard geckos require a thermal gradient of 25°C to 30°C during the day; this can be achieved by using a heat mat and a basking light mounted at one side of the vivarium to create a warmer side. The heat mat should always be controlled by a thermostat. Ideally basking lights in particular ones with a higher wattage should be controlled by a separate thermostat. At night the temperature should drop to around 20°C to 25°C.
It is very important to know what the temperature is, so check regularly with an accurate thermometer. Do not guess or take temperature by hand (if it feels warm or cold).
Lighting
A simple 12 hour light cycle is ideal for Leopard geckos.
Leopard geckos do not require UV lighting like other lizards do, although some keepers believe it is beneficial.
Water
It is important to provide your gecko with fresh water every day. A shallow bowl should be used to help the geckos and crickets climb out of the water.
Hides and Décor
The gecko will require a few hides in the vivarium so that it can feel secure. By having 2 or 3 in different areas of the vivarium the gecko will be able to choose the one that is at the best temperature. A humid hide is also recommended (such as the Exo Terra Snake Cave). These are hollow hides with a damp moss inside, geckos will often use these when they are shedding their skin.
Plastic plants are also good to use, as these look very attractive in the vivarium as well as offering privacy. Real plants however are a poor choice, as the heat will kill them very quickly and the crickets will eat them.
Feeding
Leopard geckos are insectivorous; so eat a variety of insects these include crickets, mealworms, wax worms and locusts.
It is important to feed your gecko the appropriate sized foods, roughly half the width of their head. Crickets and locusts should be used as the main foods as they are lower in fat than wax worms and easier to digest than mealworms. Vitamin powders are very important to prevent problems such as Metabolic Bone Disease. This is a calcium deficiency, and can become a serious problem within a short period of poor nutrition. It particularly affects young, fast growing geckos. It is easy to prevent with the regular use of vitamin powders.
Young leopard geckos should be fed every evening and adults just 3 times a week.
Treats of mealworms and wax worms can be offered occasionally.
Maintenance
Leopard geckos are fairly clean animals and will defecate in one area, this should be cleaned regularly. Clean and refill the water bowl on a daily basis. Depending on cage conditions, remove all substrate & cage furniture and completely disinfect using safe disinfectant. Rinse the enclosure thoroughly and allow to dry before replacing cage furniture and your gecko.
Shedding
Geckos shed their skin as they grow, they generally shed at night and eat the skin. If the gecko has trouble removing its skin, it is usually because they don't have access to a humid hide. A vitamin deficiency is another possible cause. Try putting a humid hide in the vivarium, if this doesn't solve the problem see a reptile specialist, breeder or vet for assistance.
Conclusion
Leopards are great to keep, very interesting, fun to own and easy to care for.
Although nocturnal they can be trained to come out hunting in the early evening just by offering food at a similar time every day.
Further Reading
The Leopard Gecko Manual
£6.99
This book features information that is invaluable for all levels of leopard gecko hobbyist from the beginning owner to the advanced breeder.
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