Leopard Gecko

Overview

Leopard geckos are terrestrial desert lizards which means they prefer an aired climate and spend most of their time on the ground, rather than up in the trees. Their thick tails, cat-like movements and often smiling expressions are endlessly entertaining.  As pets, Leopard geckos are one of the most common pet lizards with patterns and colors ranging from solid black to snow white, and seemingly everything in between. These curious lizards can be great pets and can enjoy many years of life in captivity if kept correctly. 

Feeding

Leopard geckos are primarily insectivores and should only be fed live insects or insect by-products. It is important to feed Leopard geckos on surfaces free of substrate to prevent unintentional digestion which can lead to impaction of the digestive tract. Feed a variety of insects

Supplementation

Leopard geckos need special vitamins in minerals added back into their diet. In the wild, the insects that are eaten by the geckos have been naturally exposed to, and carry with them vitamins and minerals from their diet and interaction with the pollens and plants in their environment. These vitamins and minerals are then passed to the individual that preys upon such insects. In captivity, insect feeders are most commonly farm bred and raised without the natural exposure of these vitamins and minerals and therefore these key components need to be added back into their dietary regimen. These supplements include:

Special considerations

Handling

As with all reptiles, handling is not a necessary component of the Leopard gecko's care and if provided with ample environmental stimulation and space, they can lead a long and happy life without the need for handling. Though it is not necessary, Leopard geckos tend to tolerate handling well if exposed to it slowly and from a young age. Some geckos tolerate handling more than others so it is important to tailor the duration and frequency of handling depending on the comfort levels of your pet gecko.


Tail dropping

The leopard gecko's tail is mainly used for fat storage but also possesses an interesting but often alarming skill that allows them to survive in the wild. When feeling threatened, the Leopard gecko can choose to disconnect the muscles, blood vessels, bones, and ligaments between their tail and their body causing it to fully fall off. This maneuver is highly valuable in the wild as it allows the gecko to avoid predators, shifting the predator's focus to the expendable appendage. Interestingly, their freshly dropped tail has evolved to contain the residual electrical signal allowing the tail to move around as if it were still controlled by the gecko itself. If kept clean and dry, the base of the tail will heal and the gecko will regrow a new one.