Temperature a leopard geckos basking spot should be 95f. Dfw herpetological society care sheet for leopard geckos leopard geckos do not require special uv lighting. Insects, including crickets, small mealworms and waxworms. Leopard gecko care sheet by steve sykes table of contents click link below to skip to a section 1.
They are easy to care for, extremely docile, do not require a large cage, easy to breed. Use gutloaded recently fed crickets no larger than the space. Diet leopard geckos eat live prey such as crickets and mealworms. These hardy saurians come in a variety of colors, patterns and sizes. This will allow time for you to adjust everything before the animal arrives. A 10 gallon terrarium with a screen top is recommended for one leopard gecko. Leopard geckos stay small, are very docile, and are relatively easy to maintain in captivity.
Periodically, the leopard gecko will shed its outer skin, which separates in loose patches. This is not a comprehensive guide, and i recommend reading my more detailed posts for further background information. They eat a diet of live invertebrates insects which can include crickets, calci worms, waxworms and small locusts of suitable size. Cage carpet is the safest option, however, it is difficult to clean easily. Good ventilation is essential to reduce the buildup of bacteria and it should be made from a solid material that is easy to clean. On the first day, carefully place the gecko inside the vivarium. Goherping includes as many arguments and options as possible, so you can decide whats best, and give your gecko superior husbandry. If youve decided to purchase a leopard gecko as a new pet, there are a few things you need to know before buying and caring for your reptilian friend. Mealworms as a feed are quite feasible when it comes to gecko food as they can be placed in a food bowl and are available whenever the gecko is.
Care sheet super giant leopard gecko, giant leopard. Leopard geckos are able to open and close their eyes. The crickets or mealworms should be fed a nutritious diet such as carrots, leafy greens kale or. Leopard gecko care sheet caging needed 1020 gallon terrarium with secure lid. They come in dazzling array of colors and patterns, their price varying according to rarity. They are not picky eaters, they will drink from a water bowl, and will gladly allow you to pick them up and gently hold them. Leopard geckos are active during dusk and dawn hours. The leopard gecko has a long, narrow body with a wide, short, fatty tail. Crested geckos typically drink water droplets from the sides of their enclosures and. With the growing number of leopard geckos in the pet trade, some are unfortunate to become injured or wounded in some way. Leopard geckos are one of the most popular lizards in the pet. Lizards make wonderful pets and a leopard gecko may be perfect for you if you want a pet without having to give them a ton of attention that a cat or dog would need. Leopard geckos are undoubtedly one of the best reptile pets available today. In the wild, they eat beetles, grasshoppers, spiders, scorpions, and centipedes.
I have spent a little time putting together a singlepage leopard gecko care sheet, which is an ideal printout for people who are thinking of buying a leopard gecko for the first time. Please let us know if you have any problem accessing these files. Leopard gecko care the leopard gecko, eublepharis macularius, is a small fascinating lizard that in many ways represents an ideal starter lizard for the novice reptile keeper. Leopard geckos are available in a variety of morphs including luecistic, high yellow and albino. Leopard geckos are very friendly and docile animals. If you are a retailer and would like to receive wholesale pricing from reptiles by mack, please email, or call us today to see what quality reptiles can do for your bottom line. Leopard geckos make great pets and were sure youll enjoy each others. Plus, you can often adopt a leo for cheaper than you would buy one in the store. They have also been observed preying on caterpillars, pinky mice, newborn birds, as well as smaller snakes and lizards. A healthy, wellfed leopard gecko will store fat in its tail and they can utilize this fat during the breeding season or during hibernation. Mealworm is among the staple food of leopard gecko care products range. If there is an accident and the gecko drops its tail, it will grow back. Leopard geckos, like bearded dragons, are incredibly easy to care for.
You can also find printable rock enclosure patterns that you can purchase. You can keep your leopard gecko s in whatever way is easiest for you to be able to provide the best care. Leopard geckos are desert animals but are active primarily at night when temperatures are cooler. Bulletin of the association of reptilian and amphibian veterinarians. Leopard geckos are among the most popular pet reptiles and are an excellent choice for beginner hobbyists. They live in dry, rocky regions and are terrestrial, meaning they prefer to stay on the ground. Download our leopard gecko care sheet pdf 379kb gecko lifespan, size and other general information a leopard gecko can grow to around 15 to 25 centimetres and live for 10 to 20 years in captivity, so owning one is a big commitment. Heres what you will need to care for your new leopard gecko s. Leopard geckos do shed their skin and their tails are fragile so be careful when you hold them. Jun 03, 2017 adults become very docile and are easy to breed. Leopard geckos are insectivores, which means that they eat primarily insects. Over the past 33 years we have provided our quality pet store customers around the world with outstanding reptiles and amphibians that reptiles by mack is famous for. Instead of bumping up humidity in the whole enclosure which can actually make your gecko sick, provide a humid hide stuffed full of moist sphagnum moss and placed on the warm side of the.
Introduction to leopard gecko care native to the deserts of pakistan, india, afghanistan and iran, the leopard gecko eublepharis macularius lizard has been captive bred in the united states for more than 30 years and is one of the most commonly kept lizards today. Before you decide whether to bring a leopard gecko into your. Lucy haile on behalf of wellesley animal hospital leopard geckos are originally from grassland and desert regions of iran, afghanistan, pakistan and india. Leopard gecko care sheet bringing your lizard home set up the vivarium and run it for a minimum of a week before introducing your leopard gecko. Unlike other geckos, leopard geckos have moveable eyelids. Not to mention i actually own 4 leopard geckos myself. A 20gallon long aquarium will be adequate for 3 4 leopard geckos only 1 male per enclosure they are territorial. Thus, it is important to learn how to care for the little geckos even after.
But its important to do your research before you come home with your new pet. The bodys yellow background color has dark spots and blotches. Heres what you will need to care for your new leopard geckos. The leopard gecko has fairly short legs, and each of the toes ends in a small claw, enabling it to hold on to rocks or branches. Be sure to have all your supplies ahead of time, such as housing, accessories, and food. Leopard geckos leos have an average lifespan of between 10 and 15 years, though some have been known to live. Leopard gecko care eublepharis macularius leopard geckos are the most commonly bred lizards in captivity.
Leopard geckos, eublepharis macularius, are small, nocturnal, desert dwelling lizards that originated from the middle east. For a more detailed explanation of supplies, go to the appropriate page of the site. This paper characterizes the species and discusses environmental, dietary and reproductive specifications. That being said, leos do need higher humidity for shedding. Do not grab your gecko by its tail which may cause the tail to detach if you are perceived as a predator or threat. Health leopard geckos are undoubtedly one of the best reptile pets available today. The reptile enclosure, called a vivarium, must be secure to prevent escape and free from hazards. If this describes you, congratulations, you have made a great choice. Jan 28, 2019 i have spent a little time putting together a singlepage leopard gecko care sheet, which is an ideal printout for people who are thinking of buying a leopard gecko for the first time. One of the most commonly kept lizards, the leopard gecko is hardy, friendly, and full of personality. In the past decade, they have been reproduced in huge quantities and due to this, a large number of pattern and colour mutations have evolved.
Care and husbandry leopard geckos are reptiles native to india, pakistan and afghanistan. A client education handout describing basic care, feeding and medical problems for which a veterinarian skilled in reptile care should be consulted is also included. The naked gecko specializes in providing all information to leopard gecko owners in one easy to find place. Eublepharis macularius care sheet the tyedyed iguana. The care sheet lists everything you need to have a leopard gecko as a pet.
Handle your gecko gently and deliberately, taking care not to drop or injure the animal. A good rule of thumb for size of a tank is 10 gallons per gecko. Colorado reptile humane societys guide to caring for leopard geckos general information. Loose substrat can be ingested over time and may result in death. Leopard geckos are nocturnal and most active during the night. A leopard gecko can grow to around 15 to 25 centimetres and live for 10 to 20 years in captivity, so owning one is a big commitment. Leopard gecko care sheet the environment the reptile enclosure, called a vivarium, must be secure to prevent escape and free from hazards. The crickets or mealworms should be fed a nutritious diet such as carrots, leafy greens kale or collards, and mixed grains about a halfday before being fed to geckos this is called gut loading. Madagascar ground gecko care sheet mandarin rat snake care sheet northern leopard frog care sheet nuevo leon kingsnake pigmy rattlesnake care sheet pine snake care sheet radiated tortoise care sheet rainbow boa care sheet reeves turtle care sheet rough green snake care sheet salvator tegu care information. Find out more on how to take care for a leopard gecko in our care sheet. A lamp on one side of the tank for light during the day. Leopard gecko care sheet whitehouse veterinary hospital.
At the warm end of your enclosure, aim for a temperature of 8590 degrees f. Sep 03, 2019 when your leopard gecko is a baby, it will shed its skin around twice per month, and with each shed their spots pattern will develop. If you need additional information, refer to the sources section or contact your veterinarian as appropriate. Freshly moulted worms are easy to digest for your gecko and hence they shall be preferred. If there is an accident and the gecko drops its tail, it. Leopard gecko care leopard geckos come from northwest india, southwest afghanistan, eastern iran and pakistan. You can keep your leopard gecko s in whatever way is. By adopting, you discourage the breeding and sale of more unwanted geckos. Leopard gecko care guide wellesley animal hospital. Leopard geckos are among the most popular pet reptiles in the world, and with a good reason. Teresa bradley and david nieves 1999 leopard gecko, eublepharis macularim, captive care and breeding. Care sheet super giant leopard gecko, giant leopard gecko. Leopard gecko, eublepharis macularim, captive care and.
Leopard geckos should never be kept on any type of substrate due to the risk of impaction. Leopard geckos tolerate human attention very well and bites are rare. The gecko eats its shed skin, a habit that helps conserve and reuse nutrients. Leopard geckos come from northwest india, southwest afghanistan, eastern iran and pakistan. This care sheet is designed only as a brief introductory guide to keeping these fascinating reptiles. Leopard geckos have moveable eyelids and do not have the toe pads that enable some geckos to climb smooth surfaces. A captive bred gecko comes in different patterns and color mutations. Rocks and logs will provide climbing areas and hiding places.
Oct 25, 2019 leopard geckos are one of the most popular pet for reptile enthusiasts. Crickets can be offered daily if you want to spoil your gecko, but a minimum of twice a week. How to take care of your leopard gecko complete guide. Adults are generally between 7 to 10 inches in length, and weigh between 50 to 100 grams. The leopard gecko eublepharis macularius lizard has been captive bred in the united states for more than 30 years and is one of the most commonly kept lizards today. The general care and maintenance of leopard geckos and african fattailed geckos.
A lid is not necessary for the leopard geckos, since they do not climb glass, but will help keep crickets from. Their catlike qualities, soft velvety skin with leopard spots, docile temperament, hardiness, variable color patterns and prolific nature make them very popular. Ground walnut is the preferred substrate of the tyedyed iguana. How to care for a leopard gecko with pictures wikihow. Gecko lifespan, size and other general information. They are full of personality, readily available, and easy to care for. They breathe air through lungs and have skin covered with scales. The care sheets listed below are provided in pdf format for easy viewing and printing. They are undemanding, hardy, easy to care for and breed. Housing and feeding a leopard gecko is relatively simple. More advanced leopard gecko breeders will also find this. Eublepharis macularius leopard geckos are some of the most popular pet geckos for sale colorful, easy to care for, and calm tempered, owning a baby leopard gecko can be quite rewarding.
Mealworms should be provided in a shallow dish at all times. Leopard gecko care guide 3430 lauderdale drive call us for assistance. Leopard geckos are generally tolerant of moderate levels of handling and interaction even as juveniles. Leopard geckos are one of the most popular pet for reptile enthusiasts. Zilla provides expert care sheets for reptile and amphibian owners and those interested in purchasing a pet reptile. Leopard geckos are inquisitive lizards that are fairly easy to keep. The ultimate guide to leopard gecko care reptifiles. Crested gecko care sheet caging needed 20 gallon tall terrarium with secure lid.
The leopard gecko, eublepharis macularius, has been captivebred in the united states for more than 40 years and is one of the most commonly kept lizards today. Heres a complete care guide with everything from their setups to feedings and much more. Colorado reptile humane societys guide to caring for. From this page, you can find resources on every aspect of husbandry for leopard geckos, one of the most popular exotic pets. The tank size should be about 10 gallons per gecko. I have designed this detailed care sheet with the beginner reptile keeper in mind, for whom this may be your first reptile pet. Quick care guide offering stepbystep information for the beginner to intermediate level keeper about leopard gecko natural history, selecting a gecko, size, life span, photos showing how to sex your gecko, caging, food, water, temperature, vitaminmineral supplementation, handling and temperment and more. They prefer to live alone, but can become used to being handled if done so carefully. This species, eublepharis macularius, is a member of the worldwide lizard family gekkonidae.