How can I tell how old my Leopard Gecko is?
Amongst all the reptiles, leopard geckos are one of the most popular as well as one of the most common reptiles to be kept in captivity. Leopard geckos are very docile and smaller than many of their species, which makes them a suitable choice for newly acquired pet owners.
It is essential for those who just acquired a leopard gecko to know the right age of their gecko to ensure that they provide them with the right care. There are some indications regarding how old is your leopard gecko by knowing its exact weight and length, even though this is not 100% proof but it can still give you a general idea about how old it is.
If you would like to know the age of your leopard gecko or know more about his growth, then you should read this article carefully.
Leopard Gecko Size and Growth Chart
Using their weight and length, you can find out what is the right age of your Leopard gecko if you know their exact weight and size. For your convenience, we have provided a chart of both male and female Leopard geckos with their weight and size which you can use to figure out their age.
For Male Leopard Gecko
Age | Length in Inches | Weight in Grams |
---|---|---|
Hatching/Birth | 3" | 2- 4.5g |
1 Month | 4" | 10-20g |
3 Months | 5" | 20-30g |
6 Months | 6" | 30-40g |
9 Months | 7" | 40-50g |
1 Year | 8" | 55-65g |
1.5 Years | 9-12" | 65-80g |
For Female Leopard Gecko
Age | Length in Inches | Weight in Grams |
---|---|---|
Hatching/Birth | 3" | 2- 4.5g |
1 Month | 4" | 10-20g |
3 Months | 5" | 20-30g |
6 Months | 5-6" | 30-40g |
9 Months | 6" | 35-45g |
1 Year | 7" | 40-50g |
1.5 Years | 8-10" | 55-70g |
How long does it take a Leopard Gecko to reach full size?
The male Leopard geckos tend to be larger than the female Leopard geckos, and they typically reach full size by the age of 18 to 24 months.
A fully grown Leopard gecko can reach a length of 10 to 12 inches from its head to tail, while some male Leopard geckos can reach a length of 24 inches.
How long do Leopard Geckos live in captivity?
In general, leopard geckos live for a more extended period than other small animals; they usually live between 6 and 10 years on average, but if you provide them with the proper care they need, they might live 10 to 12 years. The oldest Leopard geckos ever recorded was 28 years old.
As long as you provide your Leopard geckos with good habitat, with the proper nutrition food that they need, and with the appropriate care that they need, your Leopard geckos will live for a long time, with healthy body weight and body length.
What is the age of my Leopard Geckos when they become adults?
As soon as your Leopard geckos reach the age of 12 months (1 year), weigh 40 grams or more, and are taller than 7 inches, it means that they are beginning to reach adulthood.
The Leopard geckos, once reaching adulthood, can reproduce. The Leopard geckos stop growing once they reach the age of 18 to 24 months.
What is the reason for the slow growth of my Leopard Geckos?
A lot of leopard gecko owners are concerned about the fact that their leopard geckos are not growing or that their growth has slowed down. If you are worried, don't be. Below, we will provide you with some reasons why Leopard Geckos don't grow and what they can do about it.
Inaccurate humidity, lighting, and temperature in Leopard Geckos' tanks
When Leopard gecko tank humidity is above 70% at all times in their habitat, then they will be too cold in their habitat and will not be able to digest the food. When the light of their habitat is too bright, they become stressed, which negatively impacts their growth. When the habitat temperature exceeds 90 degrees Fahrenheit, they also do not grow well as well.
Solution
- For their growth, they must be kept at relative humidity levels of 60 to 70%.
- For their good growth, make sure the temperature of the tank in the daytime is between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, while the temperature in the nighttime should be between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit
- It is recommended that you do not use bright lights in their tank to prevent them from becoming stressed.
Using the wrong substrates and poor habitat for Geckos
There are times when the leopard gecko has the wrong substrate such as sand that is causing impaction in them if they eat them and there are times when the leopard gecko habitat is too dirty which will affect their health and their growth.
Solution
- Ensure that your reptile's habitat is always well-supplied with good and safe substrates such as reptile carpet, coconut fiber, etc that will help to preserve moisture and maintain the necessary humidity which will allow them to grow to their maximum potential. Check out the Best Substrate for Leopard Gecko.
- The Leopard Geckos' habitat should be cleaned every day in order to prevent bacteria from growing in it.
Whenever a Leopard Gecko is sick with parasites or has MBD
It is important to note that when your Leopard geckos suffer from diseases like MBD and Parasites, these diseases have a negative effect on their bodies, such as weight loss, and diarrhea, which will reduce their growth rates and cause them to slow down.
Solution
- If you notice symptoms of diseases in your leopard gecko, then you should take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
- To prevent your leopard gecko from contracting MBD, you should always give them calcium supplements in their food.
When Leopard Geckos receive a poor diet
If the diet of your leopard gecko does not include nutritious insects and there is no schedule for feeding it, it is likely that it will remain the same and may not grow at all.
Solution
- If you want to keep a Leopard Gecko healthy, you should feed it a good diet such as crickets, mealworms, and dubia roaches, and if possible add some calcium supplements to the diet. Read about the best food and feeding schedule for Leopard Geckos.
- Be sure to provide your leopard gecko with a regular feeding schedule.
When leopard geckos feel insecure in their habitat
When leopard gecko feels unsafe in their habitat due to bullying from their tankmates, then they tend to stop growing because of the stress caused by the bullying.
Solution
- It is not recommended to keep more than one gecko in the same tank because it can result in them bullying each other due to the competition for food.
- Ensure that leopard geckos do not live in an environment with loud sounds, as this can increase their stress levels.