How to Keep Leopard Geckos Happy

Leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) are colorful, hardy reptiles. The common leopard gecko is yellow and white with black spots, but they also come in a variety of color morphs such as albino, tangerine or banded. In the wild, they are found in western India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, preferring to inhabit dry areas with clay and rocks rather than sand. Typically, they grow to about 9 inches long. If kept properly, they can live for 20 years in captivity.

Things You'll Need

  • 20-gallon aquarium with screened top
  • Newspaper
  • Pea gravel, slate, or flat rock
  • Heat lamp or heating pad
  • Thermometer
  • Hiding areas
  • Moist vermiculite and moss
  • Gutloaded insects
  • Calcium powder
  • Shallow water dish
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Instructions

    • 1

      Provide a 20-gallon aquarium which is at least 1 foot tall for housing one or two leopard geckos. Males will fight and cannot live together. Keep two females to prevent breeding. The aquarium should have a secure screened top to prevent escape and provide ventilation.

    • 2

      Add a layer of newspaper followed by pea gravel or flat rock or slate to the bottom of the aquarium. Small substrate, such as sand or aquarium gravel, is not recommended, as geckos tend to swallow sand and small rock.

    • 3

      Provide a heat lamp or heating mat under the aquarium on one end of the enclosure with an area for basking. The "hot spot" should be close to 90 degrees F. On the other end of the tank, provide cool, shady spots where the temperature is closer to 75 degrees. Invest in a good reptile-safe thermometer.

    • 4

      Add moist hiding caves to the cage in both the cool end and the warm end. A plastic container or a box with a hole in the side filled with moistened vermiculite and moss will be a spot for the geckos to go to shed their skins and lay eggs if breeding. Real or fake plants in the enclosure help keep geckos comfortable, and will not be eaten by the geckos.

    • 5

      Feed the leopard gecko live insects such as crickets and mealworms, two to four items every other day. The insects should be "gutloaded" (fed vitamin-filled food) prior to feeding and dusted with calcium powder. The bugs must be no larger than half the width of the gecko's head. Remove any uneaten food. Also, provide a shallow water dish with fresh water.

    • 6

      Go slowly when "taming" your gecko to your touch. Let them adjust to their new home before attempting to handle them, and never handle your gecko for more than 15 minutes at a time. Do not grab your gecko by the tail, or they may drop the tail.

    • 7

      Clean your leopard gecko's enclosure frequently. Often, they will choose one corner for going to the bathroom, so this area can be spot cleaned daily.