Keeping Pet Leopard Geckos

Keeping Pet Leopard Geckos

Keeping Pet Leopard Geckos

Reptiles can make great pets if you know what you're doing. Unfortunately many people buy pet lizards unaware of the costs of keeping this sort of exotic pet. Most lizards have complex dietary and temperature requirements and unprepared pet owners can find themselves being overwhelmed, often with unfortunate results for the lizard. On the other hand lizards make very interesting and educational pets, they are also ideal for those with pet allergies.

A good lizard for beginners is the Leopard Gecko. They grow to a manageable size: 8 to 10 inches long (unlike iguanas which can reach lengths of 5 feet). Buying a Leopard gecko is a life time commitment though as they can live up to 20 years, so make sure you can devote the care and attention your pet needs throughout its lifetime.

Leopard geckos are attractively colored in yellow and white with black spots, hence the name "leopard". You can choose from a large variety of colors and patterns.

Leopard geckos are nocturnal creatures, being more active at night. They are very easy to tame and unlike most geckos aren't good climbers as they lack toe pads. Another thing that differentiates them from other geckos is that they have eyelids, whereas most geckos don't.

A Leopard gecko can be easily kept in a glass tank such as an aquarium. Two can be kept in a 20 gallon tank. Never keep more than one male per tank otherwise they may fight and only keep geckos of the opposite gender if you're prepared to deal with offspring. Provide your pet lizard with logs and commercial reptile caves. Cardboard boxes are also appreciated as they provide climbing and hiding opportunities. As they like humidity, a plastic container with a hole in the lid and some moist moss or soil will provide a good hiding place for your pet.

Never put sand in your gecko's cage as it may ingest it and die of intestinal blockage. Paper is the best bedding for Leopard geckos and can easily be changed.

Leopard geckos don't need any special equipment or UV lighting like most lizards. As they are nocturnal, a red bulb will provide your lizard some warmth for basking - lizards love basking. Keep the temperature in the basking area at 88 degrees Fahrenheit and the rest of the tank between 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use an under tank heater to maintain the desired temperature.

Provide your pet with clean water at all times in a shallow dish. Leopard geckos are insectivores so be prepared to feed it crickets, mealworms, waxworms and occasionally a pinkie mouse. Before feeding your gecko coat the insects with a calcium and vitamin D3 supplement. Adults need to be fed every other day whereas juveniles need daily feeding.

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