LEOPARD GECKO

General

Baby geckos may be nervous and excitable at first, but with regular gentle handling will become tame and easy to manage. . Supervise children and teach them never to pick it up by the tail, which may break off.

Housing

Keep young in a 18" viv One adult requires a minimum of a 24"  viv. Floor space is important since they cannot climb on glass like other geckos. A male can be kept with females but never with another male. Line the bottom of a juvenile's enclosure with newspaper and paper towels. Sand can be used with adults, but never juveniles! Provide several hiding places throughout the cage as leopard geckos are nocturnal and hide during the day. Keep one of those hiding places moist by placing slightly dampened sphagnum peat moss inside to help the gecko shed properly. Rocks and logs add interest and make good resting areas. Water must always be available in a heavy shallow dish. The cage should have a cool end (about 80F) and warm end (85 to 90F) so your pet can regulate its own body temperature. Use an undertank heater and a nocturnal incandescent reptile lamp to help maintain an optimum air temp of 86F by day and 82-85F by night. Avoid direct sunlight to avoid overheating. 

Diet

Leopard geckos thrive on a diet of crickets, mealworms, and, for adults, an occasional pinky mouse. Feed babies and juveniles every day until full (4-15 small insects). Feed adults 6 to 10 insects every other day. Dust crickets every feeding with a calcium and D3 supplement like Nutrobal Calcium remove uneaten crickets after 4 hours to prevent them from annoying your gecko. 

Cleaning

Wash out the water and food dishes daily. Clean the tank and any washable floor coverings weekly in hot water. A 10% bleach solution can be used to disinfect the tank. Rinse well with hot water; dry thoroughly. If the substrate is lined with newspaper or paper towels, change them when soiled. Replace sand approximately 3 times per year.

Health

Providing they are purchased in good condition, leopard geckos are hardy pets which have relatively few problems. A healthy gecko will have a fat tail and be alert and active, with a good appetite. Schedule a fecal check and physical exam with an experienced reptile veterinarian to ensure your pet's health.

Warnings

Never use "hot rocks" for your leopard gecko as they can cause serious burns.