Introduction
This is a brief explanation of how I personally keep leopard geckos. It should not be the only resource you rely on when researching them! It’s just an overview of the basic husbandry requirements that I employ. Leopard geckos are my "go to" beginner reptile. They're small, but large enough to handle comfortably, have very basic care requirements, and come in so many fun color morphs! The vast majority of leopard geckos are great pets, and tolerate handling exceptionally well. They make excellent pets for reptile enthusiasts of all ages, and are a great first reptile for children and teens. Leopard Gecko Distribution and Natural Habitats:
Leopard geckos are native to a fairly large range in the Middle East, including Southern Afghanistan, Pakistan, Northwestern India, Iraq, and Iran. The habitats they reside in range from arid grasslands, to scrubs, to semi-deserts. Leopard geckos are crepuscular, meaning they are most active in early morning and dusk. Their diet consists primarily of insects, though they likely feed opportunistically on small vertebrates (rodents, lizards) in the wild. |
An adult male RADAR leopard gecko
|
Cage Size
I start hatchlings in 6qt tubs. I typically move the babies up into 16qt tubs once they are over 20-25g. I don't ship leopard geckos until they are at least 15g so my hatchlings are robust enough to be placed in either a 10g (or similar sized vivarium, tub, etc) or the adult enclosure immediately. The minimum enclosure size for an adult leopard gecko is a 20g long aquarium which measures 30"x12"x12" (or a similarly sized vivarium, tub, etc). The exo-terra medium/low and medium/wide work very well for leos. With leopard geckos, you can always go bigger! A 40g breeder tank is an excellent size for them as well if you'd like something larger than the standard 20g. |
A hatchling RADAR leopard gecko
|
An adult female Firebold leopard gecko
|
What substrate to keep your leopard gecko on is probably the biggest point of contention in the leopard gecko hobby. The debate boils down to "loose substrate vs solid surface". I tend to be pretty moderate on this issue. A little loose substrate is not going to cause a healthy leopard gecko to get impacted and die when kept at proper temperatures (contrary to popular belief). I will say though, some leopard geckos cannot be trusted on loose substrate. I have a few that will eat dirt by the mouthful. So I really recommend you monitor your animal closely and make a substrate choice that works best for the individual. |
DO NOT USE:
NOT APPROPRIATE WHEN USED SINGLY:
|
USE WITH CAUTION:
|
Staple Feeder Insects:
|
"Treat" Feeder Insects (feed sparingly):
|