Leopard Gecko
(Eublepharis macularius)

Adult leopard geckos have a yellow background with brown spots. Leopard geckos have obvious ears and possess eyelids, but unlike most other geckos they have no adhesive toe pads but do have claws on their toes.

Wild leopard geckos can be found in Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.

Difficulty

NOVICE: Because of their excellent temperment and no need for large enclosures or specialized lighting, leopard geckos make excellent pets if you are new to keeping reptiles and amphibians.

Requirements

An enclosure, such as:

• Glass or acrylic aquarium (20 gallons or larger, depending on the number of leopard geckos kept) with a secure lid with clamps

Substrate, such as:

• Newspaper
• Sand
• Indoor/Outdoor carpeting

A heating element, such as:

• Incandescent heat bulb
• Ceramic infrared heat emitters

Enclosure

A 20-gallon long aquarium will be adequate for three to four leopard geckos. Only one male should be housed per enclosure as they are territorial and will fight with other males. Rocks and logs will provide climbing areas and hiding places. Each leopard gecko must have its own hiding place. A lid is not necessary to keep your geckos in, but is recommended to keep other pets out and the feeder insects in. A shallow water dish should be offered at all times.

Substrate

The substrate or bedding that you use is one of the most important parts of your leopard gecko's home, since your gecko will be spending much of its time on it. Silicate free play sand can be used for adult leopard geckos, but should be avoided for hatchlings to avoid and impaction of the digestive tract due to accidental ingestion of the sand. Indoor/Outdoor carpeting can also be used as an effective substrate for your leopard gecko. Be sure to have at least two identical pieces so that you can simply place the clean piece of carpeting in the enclosure while you rinse and disenfect the soiled piece. You can then allow the newly cleaned piece of carpeting to dry for the next days use. It's important to note that you should completely rinse the carpet after cleaning it to be sure there is no residual chemicals remaining on the carpet that could irritate your leopard gecko. Other substrates such as newspaper or paper towels can also be used. If using naturalistic substrates be sure to clean it often to prevent mold and bacteria growth.

Heating and Light

Leopard geckos should have daytime temperatures of 80°F to 85°F with a 90°F basking area under a spot light. Nightime temperatures should be 70°F to 75°F. Because leopard geckos are nocturnal, no special UV lighting is needed. A spotlight with an appropriate wattage incandescnet bulb or ceramic emitter should be to provide heat. Many hobbyists will install thermometers or thermostats in the enclsosure to be able to accurately maintain these temperatures. We do not recommend the use of any kind of heat rocks as they can often lead to burns on your leopard gecko.

Diet

Crickets, mealworms or waxworms all make excellent choices for adult leopard geckos. Hatchling and juvenile leopard geckos should be fed small, appropriately sized crickets only. Adult leopard geckos canl also be fed an occasional pinkie mouse. All feed insects should be properly gut-loaded prior to feeding to your leopard geckos. Avoid wild caught insects as they may contain pesticides or parasites that could harm your geckos.