Care Sheet for Geckos: LeopardAverage Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 4.22 (1=lowest, 5=highest) Last Updated: 03/12/2003 |
Main Category: | Lizards |
Sub Category: | Geckos: Leopard |
Care Sheet Submitted By: | Peregrinefalcon |
Years Experience: | 5 to 10 Years |
Species: | Leopard gecko |
Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover: | None |
Sexing and Characteristics: | Males are usually overall bigger, and have wider heads and tail bases. They will also have two hemipenile bulges right after the vent (where the tail connects to the body). There will be a "V" shaped row of pores right before the vent (they look like dots). Males will vibrate/rattle the end of their tail very quickly when they see a member of their own species. If the other one slowely waves its tail or does nothing then it is most likely female, if it vibrates its tail as well then it is a male. Seperate them right away or a fight could happen. |
Mostly Active During: | Night |
Substrate and Water Needs: | Substrates
Most people will agree that leopard geckos are very prone to eating their substrate. This can be a problem because the substrate eaten could clog up the digestive tract, preventing the gecko from digesting properly, and could result in death. If a gecko is impacted then it will have a swelled stomach, will usually not eat and will lose fat storage in its tail quickly. Take it to the vet if you see this happen. Because of this problem, people have found substrates that the geckos do not eat. You could use paper towel, newspaper, felt, tiles or large flat rocks.
Water
These geckos are from arid regions of Pakistan, Afgahnistan and India, they do not require much water. A small shallow dish is perfect for these geckos. |
Lighting and UVB: | No lighting or UVB are necessary for these geckos as long as proper temperatures are held by an under tank heater (UTH). |
Temperatures and Humidity: | Temperatures
A temperature of 88-90 on the warm side and 75-80 on the cool side are good temperatures for these geckos. Remember, these temperatures are measured on the substrate where the gecko will be, not the air temperature. An UTH is great for leopard geckos because it provides the belly heat needed for digestion.
Humidity
There is no special humidity requirements for leopard geckos, except for one hiding spot that is kept moist. This is especially important when the gecko is shedding. You can cut a hole in a small plastic container and fill it with reptile-safe moss or dirt. Spray it every day or two and it should stay humid. |
Heating and Equipment: | An UTH is usually all you will need to heat your leopard gecko with, but if this is not enough then a normal house bulb can help keep the temperature right during the day. |
Caging Provided: | A simple 10"x20" (bottom) aquarium is ok for a single leopard gecko. If you want to add more leopard geckos then you will have to get a bigger sized enclosure. For inside the tank, the minimum you will need is two hiding spots on each side, substrate, a water dish and a calcium powder dish. |
Diet: | Carnivorous |
Description of Diet: | Mine is usually fed mealworms, superworms and pinkies as a normal diet, with occasional crickets and waxworms. All these (except the waxworms) are very nutritious for your leopard gecko (as long as they were fed nutritious food while alive). |
Supplements, Nutrition and Usage: | As young leopard geckos (under 9 months old) they should be supplemented with calcium twice a week and vitamins once a week. That is assuming that you are feeding their insects nutritious food. Adults can be supplemented twice a month on calcium and once on vitamins. But there should always be a dish of calcium power in the tank in case the gecko needs more then it is getting. |
Maintenance: | These geckos are very low maintenance, if you keep a kleen-x/paper towel in their "bathroom corner" you can easily remove the waste. Their water dish should be refilled every few days as well as their moist hiding spot. |
Some Words on this Species: | These are a very fun and easy beginner species of lizard. they tame down very easily. |
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