The leopard Gecko is a stunningly unique reptile , renowned for their stunning leopard-like look and their massive tail of fat storage.

Geckos are adorable gentle and friendly Lizards with lots of fascinating behaviors and charming vocalizations.

They quickly adapt to handling and are easy to care for new pet owner!

The species is scientifically named the Eublepharis macularius this species wags their tails in the event of being threatened, mating or hunts.

Want to know about the Leopard Gecko? Continue on reading…

What is a leopard Gecko?

Native Habitat

The Eublepharis Macularius an lizard found in the semi-dry deserts to arid forests and desert edges of a habitat that extends across Northwest India through to Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan. They are typically found on the stones in their Desert scrubs.

Leopard Geckos have won in the minds of many people with their unique look, and have been referred to by a variety of popular names:

Panther geckos
Desert geckos with fat tails
Spotted fat-tailed geckos with spots
Geckos with fat-tailed tails

They are shy lizards which are extremely predator-proof and can be camouflaged by their leopard prints in dry desert hills as well as tall grasslands.

The species can remain hidden for extended periods of time due to their fat-storing tails which be able to sustain them until any danger they face is taken care of.

They shed more often than other lizards to avoid being observed by predators.

The Leopard Gecko can be heard singing very loudly. The leopard gecko will sing during self-defense, mating or when he is excited, by barking, chirping or making a loud hissing sound.

What We Love About Leopard Geckos

Pros

Their gentle nature makes them ideal for kids.
They will only require a tiny tank.
It is simple to house them in groups.

Cons

They’ll drop their tails (i.e. autotomy) in the event of a threat.
This species is very temperature-sensitive.
They are night creatures.

Species Appearance

Leopard Geckos have a clear channel that joins their ears, so that light can pass through the channel from one ear into the next.

All Leopard Geckos are triangular in shape. They have a small head ( similar to a crested gecko) with a long body and a big segmented tail. They also have slim claws that extend long claws. They are also ventrally white all over.

Incredibly, the digits do not are equipped with toe pads, meaning they aren’t able to stick to walls in the same way that other species of gecko.

Leopard eyed geckostypically have pupils that are slit. But, there are variations that are purposefully created while in captivityfor:

It is the “eclipse” mutation, which is entirely filled with either red or black
Additionally, there is a variation known as “snake-eyes” that have partial leaks of the pupil’s bloodstream into the eye’s iris
The most severe variation can be described as “marble-eye,” where there is a spotting in the eye’s iris

The majority of leopard geckos are skin-covered that has a wart-like texture.

Certain breeders breed morphs to get rid of bumps leaving smooth skin that is known as scaleless. There are numerous types of morphs and patterns, each with its own unique patterns, eye colors dimensions, and even texture.

Colors

This lizard may be yellow or tangerine, lavender or white with black chocolate patching, spotting, or striping. There are also albino as well as melanistic species.

Leopard Geckos have a myriad of different designs.

There are rosettes, chain-rosettes or solid spots.
Certain patches have stripes which can be spotted with irregular patterns of blotching.

There are morphs that are hypomelanistic with spots only on their tail and head.

How Big Can Leopard Geckos Grow?

Males are taller than females with a length of between 7 and 11 inches, and weighing between 70-100 grams. Females range from 6.5 -8 inches in height and weigh between 40-90 grams.

There is a form known as”the Super Giant that can be 12 inches in length with a weight of 175g.

The Leopard Gecko’s Care Guide

Leopard Gecko Diet , Feeding Guide

It is easy to care because its diet is made up of only of insects.

They love eating superworms, mealworms, crickets wax worms and small hornworms, phoenix worms along with Dubia roaches.

The hatchlings or Geckos that are young require insects smaller than their head . They should be fed on a regular basis.

As you can see in the food guide that follows Adults are fed between two and three times per week. Follow a rule of one insect for every centimeter of the gecko’s the body’s length.

Age	Frequency	Quantity
Little ones (0 until 6 months)	Everyday	One insect is smaller than the space between their eyes
Juveniles (6 to 15 months)	Every every day	One insect less than the distance between their eyes
Adult	Every day for three days	1 insect for every inch

They require the calcium powder containing vitamin D3 every time they eat. You can apply a dusting or gut-loading to them for 48 hours prior to eating. Be sure to ensure that the container of supplements is labeled “phosphorus free”.

One of the main reasons that the leopard gecko makes one of the reasons that leopard geckos are a wonderful pet for the family is that children are able to feed them. All they have to do is sprinkle their insects in calcium dust before dropping them into the enclosure.

Then, you can watch the leopard gecko’s skilled hunting techniques when the leopard gecko flicks his tail just before striking.

Water

The majority of their water requirements through their diet, however it is possible to give them drinking water from a small dish. Don’t make it too deep, as it can pose a danger for them.

Keep in mind that their natural habitat is very dry.

It is said that this Gecko is equipped with 100 teeth after hatching, and replaces them every 3-4 months throughout the remainder of his existence.

How Do Leopard Geckos Last?

The captive-bred Gecko or one that is raised in captivity can have a time span of about 15 years.

They are healthy and well-being. Common diseases, like Metabolic Bone Disease or medical issues like impaction, are preventable by following the correct advice for husbandry and regulating their diet and environment.

A content Leopard Gecko is likely to be active during the night and for a short part of the day.

If the enclosure is sufficiently warm, with the proper humidity and the reptile is no stressors it will be awake in the evening.

Stressed Geckos aren’t able to appear to be in hiding, and could:

Make a sound that is hissing.
Let their tails wiggle slowly as they are approaching.
Do not let their tails hang if they are pushed by fear to the point of a cliff.

The leopard geckos have an autotomy which allows them to let their tails down when they feel threatened.

The tails of these animals will grow back, but it won’t be the same as before as it was before, and will vary in texture, shape, and design. Regeneration is extremely energy-intensive as any thinning of the tails indicates an illness.

An unwell leopard is not going to consume.

The values of humidity and temperature in excess of their normal range can be fatally dangerous:

If they are in an enclosure with humid environment ( over 70%) they are more likely to get respiratory illnesses.
They can be dehydrated if the humidity is not enough.
If the temperature of the tank is too low, they’ll become ineficient to process food and be unable to perform bodily functions.

Be sure to keep an eye on your Leopard Gecko’s excrement. A rash of feces is a sign of illness or the need to alter the diet and also endoparasites can result in blood in the the feces.

Leopard Gecko Habitat, and Cage

You’ll need at a minimum at a minimum, a 20-gallon vivarium to house one mature Leopard Gecko.

A glass or wood viviarium is the best choice.

In contrast to certain lizards which require different sizes of tanks as they develop. Many owners decide to keep their young and baby Geckos with the 20 gallon tanks that adult Geckos are using.

If you’re storing two females and one male to breed, then opt for a 40-gallon tank. If you are housing multiple lizards,, be sure they each have an area for them to retreat in or a hide box inside the tank.

Each enclosure should include three hideouts big enough to hold an adult gecko, and also protected enough to keep the gecko warm and dark inside. Each hideout serves a distinct function and must be humid or cool, but warm or moist.

In certain hideouts, put coconut fiber or sphagnum mounds to make a micro-humidity space to assist in shed. Bathing leopard geckos are not essential if they are housed in micro-humidity and soaking bowls.

The hideouts should be placed at different levels of the cage. where they can climb and others on the floor.

You could also include rocks and branches in their enclosure, and wear non-toxic pants will make the tank appear amazing.

Heating and Lighting

Their tank requires the use of a basking lamp in the daytime, and an LED bulb made of ceramic for the night.

They require a gradient of heat inside the tank. There is one side reaching 90degF while the cool side could be at or around 75degF. Make sure that the basking bulb isn’t too bright since they prefer cool white light.

Leopard Geckos are nocturnal , therefore their lighting needs to be shut off in the evening to allow 12 hours during the night.

The temperature at night can fall to 70 deg F, but it shouldn’t be significantly lower. A heating pad for undertanks is an ideal solution for control temperature when the basking lamp doesn’t have enough.

Since their habitat is desert area, humidity should remain between 30-40%..

This is accomplished with a single soaking vessel within the enclosure. Make sure that the bowl is large enough to allow your lizard to be able to fit inside however, it shouldn’t be too deep that the water level is just above the ears of your lizard.

It is recommended to install digital thermometers as well as humidity gauges in order to monitor the temperature of both the warm and cool side of the tank.

Substrate

Many pet owners utilize reptile carpets as well as paper towels or even newspaper as their Leopard Gecko’s habitat. Others prefer bedding, such as the aspen shavings, cypress mulch as well as coconut fiber. All of them are suitable as a substrate.

It is recommended to avoid calcium sand or sand as it can create impaction when swallowed.

If you select reptile carpets, they is required to be spot-clean every day. Each month , it will have to be either deep-cleaned using bleach or completely replaced according to the degree of wear.

Paper towels or newspapers are required to be changed every week.

Any bedding option (e.g. aspen shavings or cypress mulch as well as coconut fiber) must be scooped out regularly and then completely replaced every month.

If you are doing a deep-clean every month make use of bleach and water (1:30 solution) and allow that solution to air dry completely and then evaporate prior to returning your lizard, or any decorations inside the enclosure.

The Typical Behaviour

Leopard Geckos are grassland and scrubland reptiles.

Contrary to popular opinion, Geckos tend to live in groups that consist of one male and several females. In the wild, a single male will guard the females and battle predators.

If you’re planning on keeping several leopard gecko make sure that only one male is kept. Males tend to be territorial with one another and may fight. In reality, it is best to keep multiple leopard geckos in one place in the case of breeding them.

In the wild, they tend to spend the majority of their time climbing or burrowing

The claws of these animals are used to climb up the branches or trees or even rocks
They bury themselves in caves or in rock to take in heat and escape predators (larger snakes, lizards birds of prey as well as foxes).

With a variety of predators, it’s not appropriate for a leopard Gecko to relax in the wide open (as many other Ectotherms do). Instead, they seek out hidden stones or branches that can transfer sun’s heat.

At night when night falls, they emerge from their hideout to eat.

They are hunter-like and they look for prey that will arrive – and with their olfactory and hearing senses, they are able to easily attack prey in close proximity.

The reptile isn’t particular and will eat all living creatures in their area. They are known to consume all insects, birds’ eggs, and may be cannibalistic.

Leopard geckos are found in areas that have cooler winter temperatures. When winter is colder they are unable to metabolize their food regularly, and go into what’s called Brumation (i.e. hibernation of reptiles).

In captivity, the gecko might or may not be engaged in the brumation.

It is possible to induce brumation in healthy adults by offering less food, and also lowering their tank’s temperature.

In the months leading up to December, provide less and less food , and lower the temperature of the tank to the temperature of room (68 to 77degF). Restore the temperature to 85degF by March and provide food for just a few days after they get up.

Handling Advice

Leopard Geckos love the challenge of climbing, and they love exploring.

It is essential to provide them with a space to explore and climb branches and stones. However, they should be removed from their enclosures.

They are fond of climbing on their arms and are renowned for being gentle reptiles and will not bite.

Before handling, keep in mind that the tail autotomy of this species. Don’t touch a leopard gecko with its tail as it could be snared off.

Be sure to follow these tips when dealing with:

Begin by placing an unflat hand on the floor and gently transferring it on your palm.
Keep him in a straight hand, firmly supporting his legs and the tail. If he’s feeling anxious and is afraid, they can emit barking sounds and wag their tail.
Take a slow walk with him (don’t sprint or make rapid moves).
Begin with five minute handling sessions.
Repeat this each day until he’s at ease.

Multiple Leopard Geckos

The majority of people begin with just one, but you could consider getting additional geckos.

If you plan on keeping multiple leopard geckos, make sure that only one of them is male. Males are territorial towards one another and may fight. It is recommended to keep several leopard geckos at a time when you’re breeding them.

Feeding several geckos may present problems if one is more agglomerative than the other.

If you notice a dominant behavior in feeding, it is recommended to offer an additional “feeding containers”. They can be small and constructed of plastic. They must include a lid that has vents for air so that insects can’t escape.

Leopard Gecko Baby

The baby leopard geckos are born with bands around their bodies and smooth, transparent skin.

As Geckos grow older, the bands develop into intricate patterns of spotting, and vibrant colors emerge. Geckos also form bumps, which are like scales throughout their bodies.

The breeding time for Leopard Geckos is between January and September, but it is dependent on the right temperature.

The breeder process of breeding by cooling the environment to 72-75 degF (65degF in the night) eight weeks before breeding.

Females are sexually mature at the weight of 50 grams, while males are sexually mature at 18 months.

It is possible to determine the gender of leopard geckos within a month by looking at the bottom on their tail. Males will show the hemipenal bulges or bumps which make a V-shaped row, and pits that prevent the vent’s entry point.

The Gravid Female has two bulges in the abdomen.

During pregnancy, they require more food , and they can enjoy humid micro-humidity chambers that are moist with vermiculite and moss.

Adult females can produce up to 4 to 5 clutches in a season which will contain two eggs. After the eggs have been laid, gently move eggs into incubators while not altering the eggs’ position.

Selective Breeding

The temperature at which eggs are incubated determines the sexe of hatchlings:

80-82degF will create all females
85degF will be evenly split
All males will have a temperature range between 89 and 90degF.

What is the cost of a leopard Gecko Cost?

Geckos that are commonly known as leopards are available for sale at $50. However, certain species are higher at $400, due to their distinctive appearance.

Whichever Gecko you buy, ensure that it comes from a reliable breeder and is healthy.

Leopard Gecko Facts
Common Names	Panther Desert Fat-Tailed, Spotted and Spotted Fat-Tailed Geckos
Scientific Name	Eublepharis macularius
Price	$50-$400
Size	6.5 to 10 inches ( males are larger)
Weight	40-100 grams ( males are larger)
Lifespan	15 to 20 years old
Diet	Crickets, Mealworms, and Waxworms Locusts, Crickets and Pinkie mice
Tank Size	Minimum 10-gallon
Humidity and Temperature	Temperature: 70 – 85degF Humidity: 30 – 40%
Popular Alternatives	African fat-tailed Gecko or Gargoyle Gecko

Care Guide Summary

Leopard Geckos are a great pet for new owners due to their gentle and fun-loving nature.

They’re beautiful creatures with their famous leopard-like look and lips that form perfect smiles when they gaze at you.

Maintaining and caring for your pet is easy with an easy diet and hygiene needs. So long as you’re gentle and feed them appropriately, they’ll jump right into your arms!

They are a breed with many unique characteristics that you’ll be able to discover once you adopt them!

The Leopard Gecko’s Care Guide as well as First-Time Owners Guide