Leopard geckos are one of the most popular pet reptiles in stores today. The leopard gecko has become so popular that there are now hundreds of different colors and patterns to choose from. Some cost more, some cost less.
Leopard geckos can live up to 20 years and possibly longer if you keep it happy and healthy. Even though they have such a long life span, leopard geckos stay relatively small. The largest they go is 10-11 inches but most stay somewhere in between 7-9.
Baby leopard geckos are born with very basic, normally striped patterns across their back that will develop into spots, stripes, and some will even disappear. Leopard geckos reach maturity at one year of age and that is around the time their spots and stripes will stop changing. Some leopard geckos can cost thousands because of this but normal ones are much cheaper at around $20.
A Leopard Gecko's Diet
These reptiles are an insectivore, which means they only eat insects. The most popular insect that people feed is the cricket. That is if you dislike worms. Other insects that are healthy for your leopard gecko are super worms, meal worms, butter worms, and silk worms. There are also wax worms but those should only be used as a treat.
Hatching leopard geckos should be eating at least a few crickets or whatever feeder you use every day. If they skip a day or two there is nothing to worry about. Feed them for about 15 minutes as much as they will eat.
Adults can eat every few days since they are not growing and do not become as hungry as quickly. They can eat bigger prey such as super worms and large crickets. The rule is no insect larger than the length of its head. This applies for hatchings as well. Make sure their tail stays plump.
Be sure to provide a water bowl that your leopard gecko will not drown in and keep water in it at all times even if it looks like your gecko never uses it.
Housing a Leopard Gecko
A leopard gecko can live in a 10 gallon fish tank that you can get at Walmart their entire lives if necessary. If you can however a 20 gallon fish tank is always better. If you are housing more than one add another 10 gallons per leopard gecko so they all have enough room to stay comfortable. Be sure you keep males separated or else they will fight to death.
Leopard geckos are cold blooded meaning that they rely on heat to survive and will die if there is no heat for too long of a time. Heating mats are your best option because they don't feel the heat from above; they feel it on their stomachs.
The temperature should be around 90F on one half of the tank and the other half should be room temperature. At night you can turn your under tank heater off if you want to.
Be sure to provide 3 hides, more if there are many leopards together. There should be one hide called the humid hide on the warmer side. This hide should contain moss that you can purchase at pet stores and be kept moist. The other two hides should be big enough for your leopard gecko and placed throughout the cage.
The stuff on the bottom of the cage, or substrate has caused debates and arguments throughout the years. For hatchings and even adults paper towels should work just fine. They are cheap and there is no way of your leopard gecko ingesting them.
Breeding
Leopard geckos are perhaps one of the easiest reptiles to breed. They are very rewarding and can be kept in large numbers as hatchings. Breeding can be as easy as putting a male and a female in together until they mate, and then separate them. Some things you should have ready before hand is a working incubator, enough homes for all your little babies, and something to feed them.
Be sure to keep a moist hide filled with dirt that a leopard gecko can enter through the top about 2 inches deep at all times. When she lies the eggs be sure to place them directly into the incubator so she doesn't accidentally smash them. Also make sure to not move or turn the egg when it is transferred into the incubator.
Make sure that you are feeding the female enough. She should weigh over 50 grams before being bred. When she lays the eggs that will take a lot of strength and weight out of her so make sure you feed her as much as she can so the next two can be happy and healthy.
Hatchings should be kept in no more than groups of five. They will eat every day except for the first few days of coming out of the egg. They will readily take flightless fruit flies or pin head crickets.
Conclusion
Leopard geckos are a favorite among most reptile owners and amaze even the most experienced owners with the fact that you can hold them and how well they breed. Be sure to clean feces daily and feed when needed. Last of all, good luck!
