LEOPARD GECKO (Eublepharis macularius)

FAMILY        Gekkonidae

DISTRIBUTION       The Leopard Gecko is found thought-out northwest India, south west Afghanistan, eastern Iran and also Pakistan.

SIZE       Adults have commonly been known to reach 6.5- 8 ins in length but some adults have been recorded at 10ins. Hatchlings however measure around 3-4ins at a couple of months old.

LIFESPAN      The average lifespan for a Leopard Gecko in captivity is between 15-20 years.

INTRODUCTION       These popular lizards are one of the best for beginners in the reptile hobby as they are very hardy and with such great characters who could help but to fall in love with the Leopard Gecko.

HOUSING       For a single adult sized Leopard Gecko the vivarium should measure at least 24ins long x 12ins deep x 15ins high. A pair would be fine in a 24in long x 18in deep x 15ins high and for a trio something about 30-36in long x 15ins deep x 15ins high. There should be plenty of hide boxes with some of them containing a moist moss to aid shedding and some planting would also be good to allow places to hide. There should also be a medium sized water dish.

SUBSTRATE       Good substrates to use with Leopard Geckos are play sand, wood chips, aspen bed, desert snow and coconut bark. You could also use just paper.     

HEAT & LIGHT         Because the Leopard Gecko is crepuscular - nocturnal they do not require a full spectrum uvb light however if you wanted to put a low uvb output tube in there to simulate the day or night time you could do so with causing harm to the gecko.

The Leopard Gecko should be kept at temperatures of between 26°c (79°f) at the cool end and about 29°c (84°f) at the hotter end. The basking area should reach a temperature of between 32°c - 35°c (90°f - 95°f). A heat mat can be used to provide background heating and should be connected to a thermostat to prevent over heating it should also not cover more than 1/3 of the floor area.

FEEDING       Leopard Geckos are insectivorous and as such will take a variety of insects like crickets, locusts, mealworms, waxworms and earth worms. All their food should be dusted with a calcium supplement at least twice a week with feeding taking place 3-4 times a week for adults. Hatchlings should be fed daily and have the food supplemented at least 3 times a week.

POTENTIAL PROBLEMS       Because the Leopard Gecko is such a hardy species there aren't really any problems, you do however come across a few that have toes missing due to not shedding properly around the toes and them eventually dropping off. Another common thing you see is where the gecko has dropped its tail and have regrown a new one.