For someone wanting to get an easy to care for pet, a Leopard Gecko, Eublepharis macularius, may be just the answer. Leopard geckos are amiable creatures that don't mind being handled by their owners. Some will even exhibit signs of recognition, readily approaching their owners to take a cricket from their hands, or to be stroked gently on the head and held.
Habitat Requirements for the Leopard Gecko
Leopard geckos can be kept in a simple desert terrarium setup with either newspaper liner, cage carpet, or calcium sand as a substrate. Calcium sand is the best choice to use since geckos can be subject to sand impaction from the accidental consumption of sand. Cleanup is as easy as a change of paper or a quick scoop of the sand to remove any mess.
An undertank heater, small water dish, a hide log or cave, and a small light complete the rest of the setup. Leopard geckos are nocturnal and don't require a UV light, however, a small, low watt spot light to provide a warm basking place can be used. Alternate heat sources should be an undertank heater, but never use a heat rock due to possible burns on the gecko's belly.
Feeding Leopard Geckos
Correct terrarium temperature is essential for proper digestion of food, and should remain somewhere between 80 and 90 degrees during the day. Captive gecko diets generally consist of crickets, small mealworms, wax worms, and for larger geckos, baby mice, more commonly referred to in the reptile trade as “pinks.”
Many gecko owners avoid feeding their geckos giant mealworms due to intestinal injuries sustained by geckos that ingest partially killed mealworms. An undamaged mealworm can remain alive for several minutes and do severe damage to the stomach and intestines of a leopard gecko.
Leopard geckos should be fed 1-2 crickets or meal worms daily, always have a shallow drinking dish available, and be kept at the proper temperature to aid with digestion. They are subject to very few health problems, but conditions such as metabolic bone disease and bowel impactions can occur. Mineral supplements added to their diets and the use of correct substrate in their enclosures can usually prevent most of these problems.
Breeding Leopard Geckos
When properly cared for, leopard geckos can live upwards of 20 years or more. They make wonderful pets and are easy enough to care for that they can be suitable pets for older children, although adult supervision is recommended. Advanced hobbyists may enjoy the amazing array of color variations in the leopard gecko and decide to further pursue the hobby by breeding them.
Leopard geckos reach lengths of 8 to 12 inches. Males over the age of six months will have a “V” shaped line of visible pores on their underside positioned between the hind legs just above ventral sack. Females have pores, but they are much smaller and more difficult to see.
Female leopard geckos will usually lay one to two white leathery eggs several times during the breeding season. Most breeders will remove the eggs to a medium of vermiculite, perlite, and sphagnum moss for hatching, and also to protect the hatchlings from a premature demise such as being eaten by the parents.
Reasons to Have a Leopard Gecko
There are a variety of reasons to keep a leopard gecko as a pet. Ease of care, color varieties, they are an excellent choice for someone with allergies, and they're fun to watch as well. If thinking about getting an exotic pet, try starting with a leopard gecko. It's well worth the effort.
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