How to Care for a Gecko

There are more than 800 species of gecko, and they live in most of the world's habitats, from tropical forests to arid deserts. The smallest species are only 3/4-inch long, while the extinct Delcourt's gecko from New Zealand was 24 inches long. Geckos are famous for their ability to walk upside down on ceilings, but not all species have this ability. Many geckos are very colorful, and some forest species are bright green, while desert geckos can be almost completely translucent. Many species are vocal and can emit surprisingly loud hisses, chirps and barks.

Things You'll Need

  • Vivarium
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Instructions

    • 1

      Keep your gecko in a glass vivarium with a volume of 10 or 20 gallons depending on the species you choose. Provide a sterile substrate appropriate to the species; sand for ground geckos and coconut husk for forest species. Forest species should have real or artificial plants that match their color in the tank and desert and ground geckos need stones and dry wood. If your gecko has plenty of places to hide it is more likely to feel secure and will be more active. Since geckos are mostly nocturnal, many will only emerge from their chosen hiding place once the lights are off. Install a low wattage red light in the lid of your gecko tank if you want to observe it at night.

    • 2

      Feed your gecko on live food such as crickets, mealworms or flies. Larger species, such as leopard geckos or tokays, can also be fed with live or warm pinkies or day old mice. Many species will not take food unless it is alive and moving. Geckos are susceptible to calcium and vitamin D deficiency and all food should be dusted with reptile vitamin powder from a pet store. Provide supplemental calcium in the form of ground up cuttlebone in a small dish for larger species and provide clean water at all times for all geckos. Remove fecal matter daily or after feeding.

    • 3

      Handle your gecko with extreme care as many species will drop their tail if frightened. A gecko that has lost its tail of part of its tail should be kept in a clean tank until the wound has healed. Treat the wound with an antiseptic cream from the vet. The tail will grow back but will be smoother and shorter than the original.

    • 4

      Purchase a proven pair of geckos if you want to try to breed them as many species are very difficult to sex. Provide plenty of extra cover to allow the pair to mate in peace and lay eggs. Gecko eggs are always laid in pairs. Have a second tank prepared for the hatchlings as some adult geckos are aggressive towards their own young.