Leopard Geckos are a very common pet in Great Britain. They are so popular because of there unique variety of colours and relaxed temperament.



Housing

A single leopard gecko can be housed in a simple 10-20 gallon enclosure with calcium- sand substrate. Leopard gecko's are ground dwelling geckos that, in the wild, live in rocky deserts of Asia and through Pakistan, so they need lots of hides and places to escape from the eyes of people. Some do enjoy climbing, but, unlike other species of gecko, their feet are not adapted to climb up flat surfaces, so place a few pieces of wood and cork leaning up against the wall in there. This gives them another level to live on, and a good climbing spot-Never house two males together!



Heating

Leopard geckos require a day temperature of between 26.7 - 29.4°C and a night time temperature of 21.1 - 23.9°C. This can be easily achieved with a heat mat and a heat lamp/basking lamp. Some people use items like heated caves or heat rocks to add another place of heat for them to warm up in.



Lighting

They should always have a UV light in the vivarium to simulate the sun in the wild. This is important for them as its a source of vitamin D. You can also have a heat lamp to help warm up the tank, and give them some light during day time hours. But always remember, if you have a light in the vivarium, to make sure the geckos can not come in contact with it. It is often better to be safe than sorry, so always protect your lights with special reptile light cages available at most good pet shops.



Feeding

Leopard geckos live food (such as crickets, meal worms, wax worms, mario worms and phoenix worms), but they should only be given food that is the size between their eyes.​ It is highly recommended that all of their food is sprinkled with calcium powder, this gives them the calcium they need in their diet and helps prevent them getting certain bone problems.



Handling

Generally, leopard geckos are easy to handle, although there are always the odd acception. When handling them, make sure to take great care around their tail as they (like all other geckos) can and do drop their tails when they are scared. The tail does grow back, but it will not be the same as the first one. They often grow back in odd shapes and different colours to the original. Apart from that, they are normally quiet placid animals that will gently wander around on you.



Breeding



Selecting your breeders

When choosing the geckos you are going to breed, always make sure there in good condition. No cloudy or watery eyes, no deformity that could be passed on (this often happens with enigma's). Make sure they are not to thin and (especially for the females your going to breed) make sure their tail is nice and fat. 

Also, don't try and breed geckos that are not ready to breed-ie are to young, or too thin. This can often kill the females as they put a lot of the calcium into the eggs inside them.



So you've found some healthy geckos

If you have found somewhere that sells healthy geckos, then you have to think about what morphs you want. Breeding different morphs will make different baby's  Everybody has their v and ones that they think don't look so nice, so you have to choose which ones you prefer. Do a bit of research before hand.



So you have your breeding male and female(s)

Once you've decided on some healthy geckos that your going to breed. They will begin mating and laying eggs in March time of year. You will need to provide a laying box in their tank, and feed the female lots of food with calcium in. When she lays her eggs, her first time and second time, she will lay 1 egg, but after that, she will lay 2.



Once you have the eggs

Once the female has layed the eggs, you will need to collect them as soon as you can. They will need to be placed in an incubator-These can be home made or bought from a shop or internet. The temperature you incubate them at will determine the sex they come out as. 79 - 82 Fahrenheit will produce mainly females, and 87 - 88 will produce mainly males. Anything in between that the chances will be 50:50.



Hatchling care

When your eggs hatch, you will have several baby leopard geckos running around the incubator, so gently pick them up and put them in a hatchling tub in the incubator. They will not need food for a few days as they will still be feeding of the egg sack, although its best to offer them food early on, even if they dont eat it.

 

If you have any questions about how I care for MY leopard geckos, please feel free to contact me.