Leopard Gecko Care Guide

Leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) are among the most popular pet reptiles worldwide, and deservedly so. These hardy, beautiful creatures make excellent pets for beginners and experienced keepers alike, offering decades of companionship with relatively straightforward care requirements.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about pet care and should not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult with a qualified veterinarian experienced in reptile medicine for specific health concerns or medical guidance.

About Leopard Geckos

Native to arid regions of Afghanistan, Pakistan, northwest India, and Iran, leopard geckos are naturally adapted to desert and semi-desert environments. They’ve been captive-bred for decades, resulting in docile animals well-suited to life as pets.

Key Characteristics

• Size: 7-10 inches total length when fully grown
• Weight: 60-80 grams for healthy adults
• Lifespan: 15-25+ years with proper care
• Activity: Crepuscular (most active at dawn and dusk)
• Temperament: Generally calm and tolerant of handling
• Eyes: Moveable eyelids (unlike many geckos)

Natural Behaviors

Ground-dwelling: Terrestrial lifestyle, excellent climbers but prefer ground level Hide-seeking: Spend most daylight hours in secure hiding spots Tail autotomy: Can drop tail if threatened (grows back but never identical) Thermoregulation: Move between warm and cool areas to maintain body temperature Hunting behavior: Patient predators that ambush prey

Housing Requirements

Enclosure Specifications

Minimum sizes:

• Single adult: 40-gallon breeder tank (36”x18”x18”)
• Juveniles: 20-gallon long tank adequate initially
• Custom enclosures: 3x2x1 feet minimum for adults
• Floor space more important than height

Enclosure types:

• Glass terrariums with screen tops
• PVC enclosures (excellent heat retention)
• Custom wooden vivaria
• Plastic storage containers (temporary/quarantine use)

Essential Equipment Setup

Heating system:

• Under-tank heater covering 1/3 of floor space
• Thermostat control absolutely essential
• Heat mat, not heat lamps (leopard geckos are ground-dwellers)
• Temperature gun for surface monitoring

Hiding places:

• Warm hide over heating element
• Cool hide on opposite end
• Humid hide in middle (shedding assistance)
• Minimum of three hides total

Water and feeding:

• Shallow water dish (they rarely drink but humidity)
• Feeding tongs for safe insect delivery
• Calcium dish for supplementation
• Easy-to-clean food preparation area

Substrate Options

Safe substrates:

• Paper towels (easiest cleaning, ideal for beginners)
• Reptile carpet (reusable, easy maintenance)
• Tile (natural look, easy cleaning, good heat conduction)
• Excavator clay (allows natural digging behaviors)

Substrates to avoid:

• Sand (impaction risk, especially calcium sand)
• Wood chips or shavings
• Corn cob bedding
• Any loose substrate that can be ingested

Environmental Parameters

Temperature Requirements

Warm side:

• Surface temperature: 88-92°F (31-33°C)
• Air temperature: 80-85°F (27-29°C)
• Consistent heat source essential

Cool side:

• Air temperature: 75-80°F (24-27°C)
• Must provide temperature gradient
• Nighttime drop to 70-75°F (21-24°C) beneficial

Temperature monitoring:

• Digital thermometer with probe
• Infrared temperature gun for surface readings
• Monitor both warm and cool sides
• Maintain gradient at all times

Humidity Management

Optimal levels:

• 30-40% ambient humidity
• 70-80% in humid hide
• Higher humidity during shedding
• Avoid excessive humidity (respiratory problems)

Humidity sources:

• Water dish for ambient humidity
• Humid hide with damp paper towels or moss
• Light misting of humid hide only (not entire enclosure)
• Monitor with digital hygrometer

Lighting Considerations

Natural lighting:

• Room lighting adequate for day/night cycle
• UVB beneficial but not essential
• Low-level UVB (5-7%) if provided
• 12-hour light cycle recommended

Heat sources:

• Under-tank heating preferred over overhead
• Ceramic heat emitters for supplemental warmth
• Red or blue lights for nighttime viewing
• Avoid bright white lights during night hours

Diet & Nutrition

Primary Diet Components

Live insects preferred:

• Crickets (gut-loaded 24 hours before feeding)
• Mealworms (occasional treats, not staple)
• Dubia roaches (excellent nutrition, easy digestion)
• Waxworms (high fat, treats only)
• Black soldier fly larvae (good calcium content)

Feeding Schedule

Age-based frequency:

• Juveniles (under 1 year): Daily feeding
• Sub-adults (1-2 years): Every other day
• Adults (2+ years): Every 2-3 days
• Portion size: As many insects as gecko can eat in 15 minutes

Supplementation Protocol

Calcium dusting:

• Dust insects before every feeding
• Calcium with D3 once weekly
• Plain calcium for other feedings
• Provide calcium dish in enclosure

Vitamin supplementation:

• Multivitamin powder once weekly
• Dust insects lightly (not heavily coated)
• Quality supplements specifically for reptiles
• Rotate different brands occasionally

Feeding Best Practices

Preparation:

• Gut-load insects 24-48 hours before feeding
• Remove uneaten insects after 30 minutes
• Use feeding tongs for safety
• Feed appropriately sized insects (no larger than space between gecko’s eyes)

Health & Veterinary Care

Signs of Healthy Leopard Geckos

✅ Good health indicators:

• Alert, responsive behavior
• Clear, bright eyes
• Good appetite and regular eating
• Regular shedding in complete pieces
• Plump, healthy tail
• Normal elimination patterns

Common Health Issues

Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD):

• Symptoms: Soft jaw, bent limbs, lethargy, seizures
• Causes: Calcium deficiency, inadequate UVB, poor diet
• Prevention: Proper supplementation and lighting

Impaction:

• Symptoms: Loss of appetite, no defecation, lethargy
• Causes: Ingesting substrate, oversized prey, dehydration
• Prevention: Appropriate substrate, proper prey size

Retained Shed:

• Symptoms: Old skin remaining on toes, tail tip, or eyes
• Causes: Low humidity, lack of rough surfaces
• Prevention: Humid hide, proper humidity levels

Respiratory Infections:

• Symptoms: Mouth breathing, wheezing, lethargy
• Causes: Too cool temperatures, high humidity, stress
• Prevention: Proper temperature and humidity control

Parasites:

• Symptoms: Weight loss, diarrhea, lethargy
• Causes: Poor hygiene, contaminated food, infected cage mates
• Treatment: Veterinary diagnosis and medication

Veterinary Care

Finding qualified vets:

• Exotic animal or reptile specialists
• Regular health check-ups recommended
• Emergency protocols established
• Fecal exams annually

Handling & Behavior

Proper Handling Techniques

Basic guidelines:

• Move slowly and confidently
• Support body weight completely
• Scoop from underneath, don’t grab from above
• Allow gecko to walk between hands
• Keep sessions short (10-15 minutes)

Safety considerations:

• Wash hands before and after handling
• Secure environment (closed doors, no other pets)
• Never grab tail or limbs
• Watch for stress signals
• Avoid handling during shedding

Understanding Behavior

Normal behaviors:

• Hiding during daylight hours
• Active exploration at dusk/dawn
• Tail waving when hunting or excited
• Glass surfing occasionally (especially when young)
• Vocalizations during breeding season

Stress indicators:

• Excessive hiding
• Loss of appetite
• Aggressive posturing
• Tail dropping
• Rapid breathing

Building Trust

Gradual acclimation:

• Allow 1-2 weeks settling period
• Start with presence near enclosure
• Graduate to gentle touching
• Build up to full handling sessions
• Respect individual personality

Breeding Considerations

Sexual Determination

Visual sexing (6+ months old):

• Males: Prominent pre-anal pores, hemipenal bulges
• Females: Less prominent or absent pre-anal pores
• Professional sexing recommended for certainty

Breeding Requirements

Maturity timing:

• Males: 8-12 months, 45+ grams
• Females: 12-18 months, 50+ grams
• Weight more important than age for females

Breeding considerations:

• Significant commitment and expertise required
• Market saturation makes placement difficult
• Genetic knowledge essential for morphs
• Veterinary support for complications

Morphs & Genetics

Popular Leopard Gecko Morphs

Common morphs:

• High Yellow: Enhanced yellow coloration
• Tremper Albino: No black pigment, silver eyes
• Bell Albino: No black pigment, red eyes
• Blizzard: Solid white or light colored

Advanced morphs:

• Mack Snow: Reduced pattern, black and white
• Enigma: Pattern and color variations
• Raptor: Red-eyed albino patternless tremper orange
• Super Snow: Solid black and white coloration

Genetic Considerations

Important notes:

• Some morphs have associated health issues
• Enigma morph linked to neurological problems
• Research genetics thoroughly before purchasing
• Support ethical breeding practices

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Environmental Errors

1. Using sand substrate: High impaction risk
2. No thermostat control: Risk of burns or thermal shock
3. Inadequate hiding places: Stress and health problems
4. Wrong heating source: Overhead heat instead of belly heat
5. Poor temperature gradient: Inability to thermoregulate

Feeding Mistakes

1. Feeding only mealworms: Nutritional deficiencies
2. No supplementation: Metabolic bone disease
3. Oversized prey: Impaction risk
4. Feeding wild insects: Disease and parasite risk
5. Inconsistent feeding schedule: Stress and health issues

Handling Issues

1. Too frequent handling: Stress and feeding refusal
2. Grabbing from above: Triggers defensive response
3. Not supporting body: Injury risk
4. Handling during shed: Uncomfortable and can damage new skin
5. Forcing interaction: Increases stress and fear

Advanced Care Topics

Environmental Enrichment

Behavioral enrichment:

• Multiple hiding options with different textures
• Climbing opportunities (low branches, rocks)
• Varied substrate textures in different areas
• Occasional supervised exploration outside enclosure
• Natural day/night lighting cycles

Health Monitoring

Regular assessments:

• Weekly weight measurements
• Monthly full-body examinations
• Shedding cycle tracking
• Feeding response monitoring
• Behavioral pattern documentation

Seasonal Considerations

Winter care:

• Maintain consistent temperatures despite room changes
• Monitor for reduced appetite (normal seasonal behavior)
• Ensure humidity doesn’t drop too low with heating

Summer care:

• Prevent overheating in hot climates
• Monitor cool side temperatures
• Ensure adequate ventilation

Related Care Resources

For comprehensive leopard gecko care:

• Gecko Care Guide - General gecko care principles
• Small Pet Veterinary Care - Finding qualified reptile vets
• Pet Nutrition Fundamentals - Understanding reptile nutrition
• Pet Quarantine Protocols - Safe introduction procedures

Remember: Leopard geckos are long-term companions that can live 15-25+ years with proper care. Their hardiness and docile nature make them excellent introductions to reptile keeping, but they still deserve dedicated, informed care to thrive. Take time to set up their environment properly and learn their individual personality and needs.