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Leopard Geckos are one of our favorite reptile pets. If you have purchased one from us, it will have been born and raised by us. We currently have three breeding colonies and produce approx. 100-150 each year.
They are a form of fat-tailed gecko native to the area from Iran to Pakistan. The ability to store food and moisture in their tail allows them to survive in these arid areas. Being a terrestrial lizard they lack foot pads that allow other members of their family to climb smooth surfaces. They can grow to 10 inches and live up to 20 years. Most of the Leopard Geckos available are females as sex is determined by the temperature at which the eggs are incubated. They may live singly or in groups of either all females or 1 male with females. Males cannot be kept together as adults as they tend to fight. When keeping more than one in the same cage, care must be taken to make sure everyone is of the same size and gets an equal opportunity to eat.
Their diet consists of crickets, mealworms, waxworms and other small insects.
Adults need and enjoy a pinky or fuzzy mouse regularly to insure proper nutrition.
Insects should be sprinkled with calcium and vitamins, this is especially important for the young and egg laying females. Leopard Geckos also eat a sand mixture (builders sand) with calcium powder added to it (3 parts sand to 1 part calcium). This can be placed in a small jar lid or dish and replenished as needed. Fresh water should be available to them at all times in a dish that the crickets can get out of.
As adults, Leopard Geckos are very slow moving and lazy. A 10 gallon tank with an incandescent hood for one gecko is adequate space, if you're wanting more than one it would be better to use a larger tank. A reptile heating pad attached to the underside of the tank and 2 15w bulbs will generally produce enough heat in most households to keep the Leopard Gecko happy and active. They do like some seasonal variance in temperature, 70-80 degrees in winter, 75-85 degrees in summer. We recommend that only reptile mats be used to cover the bottom of the cage otherwise sand impactions can occur. The only sand in the cage should be the calcium mixture described above. Although desert creatures, they must have a moisture chamber to help them shed properly. We generally use a sandwich container with a hole cut in the top, 1/2 full of peat moss and kept moist at all times. The temperature will be different in different parts of the cage and depending on her needs she may choose different sleeping spots. Decorations and hiding places will give her different choices in temperature.
Handling of very young Leopard Geckos should be avoided as they are very fast and will drop their tail if grabbed improperly. This is a defense mechanism and it will grow back but it is very stressful. As they become larger they move slower and are easier for children to handle.
Leopard Geckos are nocturnal by nature so do not be concerned if she sleeps a lot during the day. Red lights in the top will help aid in night viewing without upsetting her eating and sleeping patterns. It also makes a wonderful night light! If you have anymore questions, please feel free to contact us.
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