Leopard Gecko Habitat Information

Enclosure

• The enclosure is the part of the habitat that the leopard gecko will actually live in. A 15- to 20-gallon glass aquarium is an adequate size for an adult leopard gecko. If the leopard gecko is a hatchling or juvenile, the tank can be smaller, and if more than one leopard gecko is housed together, the tank should be larger.

  Other materials, such as wood, acrylic or plastic can also be used to create custom-made enclosures for the leopard gecko. Such enclosures should be roughly the same size.

Heating

• Because leopard geckos live in hotter climates in the wild, the second most=important item needed for a leopard gecko habitat is heat. There are two ways to provide this heat: a heat bulb and an under-tank heating pad. Whichever method is used, it should only be placed on one end of the enclosure to provide the leopard gecko with a proper thermal gradient. This thermal gradient will allow the leopard gecko to decide whether it wants to warm up or not, which is important for cold-blooded creatures. The heated basking spot should be about 87 to 90 degrees, and if an under-tank heating pad is used, it should be attached to a thermostat to ensure it does not overheat.

Lighting

• Because the leopard gecko is nocturnal, it does not receive an excessive amount of direct sunlight and does not need UVB lighting in captivity to remain healthy. The ambient rays it might receive from a window in the same room are enough, but some leopard gecko keepers prefer to use a UVB light just in case. The UVB does not hurt the gecko, if provided, and can allow the keeper to better see the gecko during the day.

Substrate

• Substrate is the material that is on the bottom of the leopard gecko's habitat. There are many choices for possible substrates, and each has its own benefits and drawbacks. For example, paper towels are easy to clean, but they don't look natural. On the other hand, naturalistic sand is available, but it can cause serious digestive blockages if it is eaten accidentally by the gecko. Other options include coconut fiber, astroturf and tile.

  Despite the fact that leopard geckos live in desert climates, they don't necessarily live on sand, but instead a mix of dirt, sand and rocks.

Decorations

• Decorations not only make the habitat aesthetically pleasing to the leopard gecko owner, but provide important places for the gecko itself to hide or bask. These decorations can include plastic containers with doors cut out of them to act as "caves" and water dishes or more expensive decorations specifically designed for lizards from pet stores. The choice is up to the keeper, but ensure that all decorations are securely in place so they do not harm or fall onto the leopard gecko.