Leopard Geckos Natural Habitat

Setting up a pet leopard gecko's habitat properly is essential to ensuring its good health. This involves emulating the natural habitat of the leopard gecko so that its basic needs are met. Leopard geckos have housing and habitat requirements that are dissimilar to other reptiles.

  1. Substrate

    • Create a substrate using slate tile from a home improvement store rather than the sand or other substrate options from a pet store. Slate tile substrate will more closely emulate the natural habitat for a leopard gecko. The ideal habitat will incorporate not only slate stone, but also between 10 and 20 percent of live plants. The substrate for the live plants should be a mixture of fine grained sand, peat moss and potting soil in equal parts.

    Plants

    • Include live plants in the leopard gecko habitat to emulate the natural environment for this lizard species. Choose plants that are safe for this species, including Aansevierias, cucurbits, Yemen grape, euphobias, "bonsai" plectranthus, climbing aloe, caudexed fig and elephant bush. The habitat should be made up of approximately 20 percent live plants and supportive substrate.

    Temperature

    • The leopard gecko is an ectothermic animal, meaning that it is a species that is incapable of producing body heat, so a supplemental source of heat must be produced. The ideal temperature for a leopard gecko is between 80 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature by night should be closer to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. A thermometer should be installed to ensure that the proper temperature is maintained.

    Lighting

    • Natural light cycles are a part of creating a natural habitat for the leopard gecko. In the summer, a leopard gecko needs 14 hours of light and 10 of darkness. During the winter, the period of daytime should be shortened so that there are 12 hours of light and 12 of darkness. Black heat lamps and red lamps are ideal for leopard gecko habitats, but UV bulbs are not recommended.

    Water

    • The leopard gecko requires constant access to water that is clean and free of chemicals. Water should be provided at all times in a flat and shallow bowl, and it should be changed daily. Shallow bowls should be used to prevent drowning hazards not only for the gecko but also the insects that are fed to it.