How to Look After Leopard Geckos

Leopard geckos are native to India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, where they live in dry, rocky conditions. Geckos are nocturnal and generally spend much of their time underground when living in their natural habitat. The unusual patterns seen on a leopard gecko are nature's way of camouflaging them from predators. When caring for your leopard gecko, always be thinking of the way it lives in its natural habitat, and you will help keep it healthy and happy.

Things You'll Need

  • 10' aquarium with screen lid
  • Reptile substrate
  • Hiding box
  • Moss
  • Thermometer
  • Shallow dish
  • Reptile heating pad
  • Live crickets
  • Live meal worms
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase an aquarium to house your leopard gecko that is least one foot high and ten feet long.

    • 2

      Cover the top of the aquarium with a screened lid.

    • 3

      Place newspaper or reptile substrate on the flooring of the aquarium.

    • 4

      Place a reptile heating pad underneath one side of the terrarium. This will keep one side warm and one side cool.

    • 5

      Place a reptile hiding box in the aquarium. Fill the hiding box with damp moss to create a humid environment. This will encourage natural shedding of the leopard gecko's skin.

    • 6

      Place a clip-on thermometer to the side of the cage to track the temperature of the terrarium. Leopard geckos terrariums should be kept at a daytime temperature of 85-95 degrees Fahrenheit and a nighttime temperature of 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 7

      Feed your leopard gecko live insects such as crickets and/or meal worms. The crickets should be fed for 12 hours prior to feeding to your gecko.

    • 8

      Place a shallow dish filled with water inside the gecko aquarium. Geckos should have access to fresh clean water at all times.