Leopard Gecko

Eublepharis macularius

Description

Leopard geckos are part of the Eublepharidae family, and the term Eublepharis means "true eyelid" referring to the fact that leopard geckos have real eyelids as opposed to the They are aptly named, with colorations similar to their namesake. Leopard gecko colors are highly variable, but are usually primarily yellow with black, gray or dark brown striping or spotting with a white and black banded tail. Albino leopard geckos are also common in the herpetocultural industry. Albino leopard geckos are primarily pink with orange or yellow striping or spotting, and a pink and white banded tail. Many other color variations are available from specialized breeders. Full grown adults can easily obtain a length of 10 inches (25 centimeters). A lifespan of 25 years is not uncommon.

Natural Habitat

Leopard geckos come from dry or semi-arid regions in the Middle East and southwest Asia. They are found in Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, northwestern India and Pakistan. They are predominantly a ground dwelling species, and lack the adhesive pads (lamellae) common in many other gecko species. Within their range they inhabit sandy and/or rocky terrain and sparse grasslands hiding in crevices, burrows or beneath detritus. Leopard geckos are strictly nocturnal, keeping out of the heat of the day, emerging at night to hunt for food.

Artificial Habitat

Leopard geckos have been referred to as the "perfect starter lizard" because they are extremely hearty and do not require elaborate enclosures. For a single leopard gecko a 10-gallon (38 liter) aquarium with a screen top will suffice. Because leopard geckos are nocturnal and spend the majority of the day in hiding places, their enclosure should include hide spots such as cork bark, opaque shoeboxes, cardboard boxes, egg crates or just about anything else a gecko can fit in comfortably. Plastic containers such as Tupperware or shoeboxes make good choices as long as a small hole is cut in the top to provide the geckos access. Not only does this closed environment help maintain humidity, it also provides the geckos with a sense of security and it can be easily removed and cleaned. Naturally, any hide spot provided should be clean and without chemical residue. Many of the retreats that leopard geckos utilize in their natural habitat remain somewhat moist which seems to aid the leopard geckos in shedding. Enclosed hide spots can be partially filled with soil, sphagnum moss, peat moss or the like and slightly moistened to mimic their natural retreats. The geckos will appreciate the moisture when shedding and also it will provide them with a cool retreat in case their environment becomes too warm.

Leopard geckos, like most reptiles, generally require supplemental heating. One of the best ways to provide this heat is with the use of an undertank heating mat (which is a heating sheet with adhesive on one side so it can be adhered to the bottom of the enclosure). Heat mats work especially well because they give off a constant temperature (in many cases 100 degrees Fahrenheit) and can be placed at one end of the enclosure to ensure a proper heat gradient. Heating mats are also a good choice for nocturnal animals that can be disturbed by lighting used as a heat source. This being said, an ideal situation would incorporate both heat and light (used for an appropriate photoperiod) mimicking the natural environment.

Diet

Leopard geckos are insectivores, but they also are known for eating substrates in an effort to obtain calcium. Due to this fact it is advisable to use only ingestible substrates (what has been proven ingestible is subject of much debate and is not regulated by the industry), or better yet, newspaper, paper towels, or artificial grass. At Sandfire, we have found that if the geckos are provided with a small dish of calcium the geckos will lick from it to obtain their calcium requirements. Despite this fact, insects offered to the geckos (often crickets and superworms) should still be dusted with a vitamin and mineral supplement. Crickets should be offered at dusk, or whenever the lighting goes off. Superworms or mealworms can be placed in a small dish and left available throughout the day (confining the worms will keep them from crawling all over the geckos when they are dormant). Water should also be provided in a small dish and placed in a corner of the enclosure. We have found that if the water dish is not in the corner of the enclosure, the geckos may spend some time circling the dish before they crawl over it and discover the water (this tends to be more of a problem with baby geckos than adults).

Caveats

Leopard geckos are extraordinarily popular primarily because they are such hearty lizards. With basic care they will thrive for many years, sometimes decades. Really the only concern with owning a leopard gecko is commitment as they have a relatively long lifespan.