Leopard Gecko Care Sheet
- Common Name
- Leopard Gecko
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- Scientific Name
- Eublepharis macularius
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- Native to
- Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India
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- Size
- 8 to 9 inches
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- Life span
- Up to 18 years.
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- General Appearance
- Leopard geckos are yellow background colour with adults having brown spots. They have obvious ears and possess eyelids. They have no adhesive toe pads like other types of geckos, but do have claws on their toes.
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- Enclosure
- A 20-gallon long vivarium will be adequate for 3 - 4 leopard geckos (only 1 male per enclosure as they are territorial). Rocks and logs will provide climbing areas and hiding places. Each leopard gecko must have its own hiding place.
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- Heating / Lighting
- Daytime high should be 82°F on one end of tank to 90°F under a spot light (choose wattage appropriate for providing the correct temperature. Night temperature should be 70° - 72° F. A small part of the substrate should be heated to 92°F using an under tank heat pad. All heat sources should be controlled by a thermostat
No special UV lighting is needed as leopard geckos are nocturnal.
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- Substrate
- Anything from newspaper to sand may be used, but sand produces the most natural setup. Do NOT use cedar. Newspaper, or paper towels are recommended for hatchlings and young Leopard Geckos as ingestion of sand can cause impaction. Impaction is when substrate is swallowed and causes a blockage in the animals digestive system, and can prove to be fatal.
Under no circumstances should calcium sand be used, as this can also cause impaction, even in adults.
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- Environment
- Dry, arid type climate. However, the area under the hide box should be kept moist to aid shedding and simulate the leopard gecko's natural burrows. A shallow water dish should be available at all times.
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- Diet
- Crickets, mealworms, waxworms for adult leopard geckos. Hatchlings and juveniles should be fed small, appropriately sized crickets only. Adult leopard geckos will also eat an occasional pinkie mouse. Crickets should be dusted with calcium/D3 powder and vitamin supplements at every feeding for hatchlings and juveniles, and every other feeding for adults. Avoid wild caught insects!
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- Maintenance
- Keep substrate free of waste products. Water dish must be washed and refilled daily to prevent bacterial growth. Change substrate regularly.
Information provided by WNYHS
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