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Latin Name: Eublepharis macularius
Native to: Pakistan, Northern India, Iran, Iraq & Afghanistan
Maximum Length: 7 - 9 inches (Includes tail)
Approximate Life Span: 15-18 years
GENERAL INFORMATION
All the Leopard Geckos offered by California Zoological Supply have
been captive bred. They are one of the most popular gecko with
beautiful gold, black and white patterns. The genus they belong to (as
you can see in their Latin name) is Eublepharis. This refers to their
ability to open and close their eyes. Eublephar translates to "typical
eyelid". Most geckos cannot close their eyes, just like all snakes.
Leopard Geckos eat their shed skin which is beneficial to their diet.
Do not remove it from their bodies. However, if the lizard has shed
most of it's skin and is unable to remove all of it (on the toes,
around the eyes, etc.) you might need to help them remove these
remaining bits. Swab the area with hydrogen peroxide. Be careful around
the eyes. Don't pull on the tail as Leopard Geckos will readily release
them. A new one will grow in it's place but will never look the same as
the original.
Unlike many other geckos, Leopard Geckos cannot climb
vertical surfaces. Their toes lack the lamellae which act like suction
cups found on other geckos, including Tokay Geckos, House Geckos and
Day Geckos. Leopard Geckos are very alert, but sometimes clumsy or
aloof. They are active during the dusk and dawn hours and can be fun to
watch as they stalk their prey. Once they get a fix on the item, their
eyes widen, their tail starts to wiggle and then they pounce! Hatchling
Leopard Geckos can be kind of feisty. Although harmless, baby Leopard
Geckos will sometimes rear back, make a buzzing sound and strike out.
It's more cute than alarming. Even adult Leopard Geckos would have a
hard time doing any harm if they bit you. If you hold a light up to a
Leopard Gecko's ear you will be able to see the light right through
it's head! Hatchlings and juveniles will be less accepting to handling
than established adults. This is an inherent survival trait common to
most reptiles and will fade as the geckos get older.
Adults become very
docile and are easy to breed. Females can start laying eggs at 1.5 - 2
years of age with 1 - 2 eggs per clutch typically being laid. Eggs are
generally laid from January through September. An interesting quality
of the Leopard Gecko is, you can to a point, determine the sex of the
offspring. During incubation, low temperatures (79 - 83ºf) will produce
mostly females. High temperatures (90 - 92ºf) will produce mostly
males. An incubation temperature set between the two (around 85ºf) will
produce a good mixture of both males and females. Adult males can be
identified from adult females by looking at the vent area. Males will
have a prominent row of enlarged pores in the shape of a "V".
ENCLOSURE
A 10 gallon aquarium with a well-ventilated
lid is suitable for 1 adult Leopard Gecko. If a pair or trio are going
to be housed together, a 20 gallon aquarium is recommended. It is best
to keep only 1 male per enclosure. Two or more adult males together
tend to fight. Decorate with Zoo Med REPTI FLORA, Zoo Med DESERT
TERRARIUM TREES, low branches for climbing and sturdy hiding places.
Include dampened sphagnum moss or Zoo Med REPTI BARK™ in the hiding
place. This will aid the lizard in shedding and help keep them from
dehydrating.
SUBSTRATE
Provide at least 1 inch of sand. DO NOT use
silica sand, the dust is harmful to you and the animals! Play sand is
available at most hardware stores or you may use dry Zoo Med REPTI
BARK™.
TEMPERATURE & HUMIDITY
Daytime temperatures 80 -
82°f, basking area 85 - 90°f. Nighttime temperatures can drop as low
as, but no lower than, 70°f. Keep the humidity level low (except for
the hiding place). Keep hiding place around 80ºf.
HEATING
Use a Zoo Med REPTITHERM® UNDER TANK HEATER
(U.T.H.). Leave it on 24 hours a day. UTH's take a few hours to reach
their optimal temperature. They may be placed on the back glass of your
enclosure as well as the floor. For easy heat control, use a Zoo Med
REPTI-TEMP™ RHEOSTAT in conjunction with the U.T.H's or rock heaters.
Reptiles need to be able to regulate their body temperature, so a
temperature gradient must be provided for. A basking area consisting of
a Zoo Med REPTI™ BASKING SPOT BULB should also be provided during the
day. Always use at least one thermometer, two is optimal. One on the
cooler side, one on the warmer side. A Zoo Med DELUXE ANALOG MIN/MAX
THERMOMETER works great to show the high and low temperatures in a 24
hour period.
LIGHTING
UVB is not a necessity, but not harmful. If desired, use Zoo Med
REPTISUN™ fluorescent 8 - 12 hours a day. The UVA this bulb provides is
beneficial to the psychological well-being of reptiles. All reptiles
and amphibians need a photo period. A plug in timer (for your white
lights only, do not use a timer for your heating devices) works well to
develop a regular photo period (light cycle) of 8 - 10 hours of light,
14 - 16 hours of dark. Reptiles and amphibians cannot see the red light
spectrum, so a low wattage red bulb is ideal for nighttime viewing.
FOOD & WATER
Feed your Leopard Geckos every two to
three days. Hatchling Leopard Geckos will eat small sized crickets.
Juveniles will eat medium sized crickets and wax worms. Adults will eat
large crickets, wax worms, king mealworms and pinkie mice. Regular
mealworms are not recommended since their hard outer skin can be hard
to digest and, if ingested alive, can do great internal damage. Dust
crickets lightly with Zoo Med REPTIVITE® vitamins and a powdered
calcium supplement every other feeding. Provide a small, shallow water
bowl with fresh water. Hatchling Leopard Geckos should be lightly
misted twice weekly to assist them in shedding their skin. They will
also enjoy the bath!
NOTES
Always wash your hands before and immediately after handling reptiles
and amphibians. Never leave live food long term with reptiles &
amphibians. They can inflict severe harm, even kill your pet. If your
animals take some time to eat or you feed them at night, leave a slice
of potato, carrot or dry dog food for the live food items to eat. Your
local pet shop is an ideal source for reptile and amphibian related
books and supplies. Please make sure you read and become familiar with
any instructions provided with reptile support products you may
purchase.
For further information on reptiles and amphibians we
recommend you read REPTILES MAGAZINE and THE VIVARIUM. California
Zoological Supply hopes you have enjoyed reading this reference sheet
on Leopard Geckos. We hope that our guidelines will assist you with the
care or possible purchase of your new pet.
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Reptiles 
