Leopard Gecko

The scientific name of the Leopard Gecko is Eublepharis Macularius. They belong to the Animalia Kingdom and Reptilia Class. They are small in size and calm in nature. Leopard geckos are warm and desert animals. They are mainly found in nature in Asia and The Middle East. The lifespan of the Leopard Gecko is around 15 years in the wild.

Leopard geckos feed on moving insects. An appropriate diet may consist of Crickets with smaller numbers of silkworms and other live insects. They do not produce any Poisonous liquid or other toxins, so you do not have to worry about being poisoned. Leopard geckos have strong eyesight and they hunt prey insects at night.

Characteristics

Generally yellow and brown spots are found on leopard geckos.

Length and Weight

Baby leopard geckos are on average 2.8 to 3.8 inches (7 to 9 cm) and weigh around 3 to 5 grams, Adult female leopard geckos are on average 7 to 7.9 inches (18 to 20 cm) long and Weigh around 40 to 70 grams. and Adult Males leopard geckos are on average 7.9 to 11 inches ( 20 to 28 cm) long and weigh around 60 to 70 grams.

Teeth and Tails

They are Polyphyodonts and replace each of their 100 teeth every 3 to 4 months. They have thick tails that store fat.

Reproduction

Reproduction period of leopard geckos during the month of summer. The first eggs are laid about 3-4 weeks after copulation. Depending on temperature and humidity. The eggs require about 30-90 days of incubation.

Temperature and Humidity

As you know they are warm and desert animals so they need a dry environment to stay healthy. The Ideal humidity for leopard geckos will be between 30-40% and moist hide humidity 70-80%. If it is too humid then leopard geckos may become sick and have other health issues. If the humidity is low then leopard geckos suffer from dehydration and increasing the chance of infection.

These lizards need hot temperatures to keep their bodies warm. A warm surface temperature should be 94-97 degrees Fahrenheit (34-36 degree Celsius), a warm hide 90-92 degrees Fahrenheit (32-33 degree celsius), and a cool end 70-77 degrees Fahrenheit ( 21-25 degree Celsius).

They are cold-blooded animals. They absorb heat from rock and sand. The optimum temperatures and humidity conditions within these reptiles are in a loop.

What do Leopard Geckos Eat?

Leopard geckos are insectivores meaning they eat only insects. They cannot digest fruits or vegetables. Their digestive system only digests meat.

As you know geckos are insectivores they feed moving insects which can include crickets, with smaller numbers of silkworms, waxworms, hornworms, Locusts, Mealworms, Superworms, spiders, Dubia roaches, and some live bugs. Baby leopard geckos eat every day until they reach adult geckos and Adults can eat once a week.

What type of habitat is needed for leopard geckos?

Leopard geckos live in some of the dry, rocky, and hottest areas like Afghanistan, Nepal, Iran, India, and some parts of Pakistan. Leopard geckos are warm and desert animals so they need a dry environment to stay healthy.

A glass terrarium or vivarium is the best choice for captive leopard geckos. When creating a habitat for leopard geckos you should try to copy their natural habitat as much as possible. They need a large tank size of 20- gallons for adult leopard geckos and 10- gallons for baby or juvenile leopard geckos to roam around. Put some live plants like Aloes, tillandsia, etc, and large rocks, gravel, and bioactive soil inside a tank.

Note- Coarse sand, Corncob bedding, and crushed walnut shells must keep away from leopard geckos. These can harm the skin of your Gecko.

Is Leopard Gecko an Omnivorous Animal?

No, Leopard Gecko is not an Omnivorous Animal. Because they are insectivores and cannot eat vegetables or fruits. Their body can only digest meat, they can’t digest plants or fruits. They have a skull and jaw that help to eat meat.

Baby leopard geckos need to eat every day depending on their health. Leopard geckos feed on moving insects which can include crickets with smaller numbers of silkworms, waxworms, butterworms, hornworms, tomato worms, beetles, sow bugs, cockroaches, super worms, and some live insects.

Leopard geckos could get water from insects, mist in their tank, and other ways. They also need fresh vegetables and clean water in the surroundings to keep these insects hydrated.

Are Leopard geckos nice pets?

Yes, Leopard geckos are lovely pets. They are one of the most common reptiles found in pet stores. For their docile, placid nature, leopard geckos are a pet for all members of the family.

They are completely harmless to humans. Some pet lovers love leopard geckos for their small sizes, cute, friendly nature, and ease to handle. They don’t require much space and have the ability to thrive indoors.

They are inexpensive compared to many other types of reptiles. The cost of a leopard gecko is between $ 30 to $100 as a pet.

They live 15-20 years in captivity and come in a wide variety of colors, extremely pretty with their spotted pattern mostly shades of yellow and brown. They are one of the reptiles to be domesticated and whose natural environment is most easily recreated. They are perfectly sized. Size is very important when it comes to choosing a pet. Leopard geckos generally stay between 7 and 10 inches long, are easy to live in the home, and care for as well.