Leopard Gecko Care Sheet - The Exotic Animal House

Leopard Gecko Care Sheet
Eublepharis macularius
Size:
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Hatchings are approximately 3 - 4 inches
Adults average between 7 - 11 inches, males are generally larger
Temperature:
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85 – 90 F on the warm side
73 – 75 F on the cool side
Heat:
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Under Tank Heating is highly recommended providing it is hooked up to a thermostat.
Heat lights can also be used.
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A thermometer should be placed on the warm and cool side of the tank.
Lights:
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No special lights (UV, Heat) are necessary, but sunlight is encouraged for the geckos day/night
cycles.
Food:
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2-3 week old crickets for babies, 4-5 week old crickets for adults (calcium dusted)
Variety of different works: Meal, Wax, Butter, Phoenix, Super, Horn, and Silk; depending on
the size of the gecko will also determine what is the appropriate size of worm.
Some worms are considered treats because of their high fat content; some of these worms are
wax, butter, horn and silk.
Crickets and Superworms should never be left alive with the gecko for along period of time,
as they bite and can do alot of harm.
Lifespan:
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20 + years with optimum care.
Substrate:
Paper Towel
• Easy to clean but needs to be changed more frequent.
• Geckos may hide underneath it
• Recommended for hatchlings
Reptile Carpet
• Easily cleaned (be sure to clean at least once a week) as bacteria can quickly become a problem
on carpet
Housing:
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Individual Babies should be kept in a 5 gallon tank
Individual Adults should be kept in a 10 gallon
Leopard Geckos are a terrestrial species, they for need a long enclosure vs a tall enclosure
Rule of thumb when housing geckos together, babies need 5 gallon per gecko and adults need
10 gallon per gecko. Each gecko also need their own hide
2 hides should be offered to a single gecko, one warm hide and one cool moist hide. To achieve
a warm hide place hide on the warm side of the enclosure. To achieve a cool moist hide, place
hide on the cool side of the enclosure and place moist moss under hide, lightly mist moss daily.
Do not house 2 males together as they usually will fight each other, however you can house
multiple females or one male and females together.
Water:
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Shallow water dish that is large enough for the gecko to sit in should be offered
Mist once every second day
Handling:
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When approaching move slow and come at the gecko from the side, lightly grasp the gecko
ensuring not to grab the tail (the tail can drop, it will regenerate but it takes time)
Try not to be up to high when holding the gecko as it can move quickly and can injure itself or
die from a high fall
Allow the gecko to move from hand to hand
When holding a baby or juvenile gecko be sure to secure them well without harming them.
They can move very quickly and can easily escape.