Keeping a Leopard Gecko at Home

48905-12-2022, 05:53

‍When you think of geckos, you probably picture the smooth, blue-eyed teacup variety. But did you know that there are over 1,000 species of gecko? Many of them live in warm climates and thrive in less-than-ideal conditions, which makes them perfect for those who want to keep a pet but don’t have the space or resources to take care of something more demanding. One such species is the leopard gecko. These little guys are especially popular among teens and young adults as first pets because they’re relatively easy to maintain. They’re also nocturnal and therefore not particularly demanding in terms of time or attention, all you need to do is provide them with a clean habitat that mimics their natural habitat as much as possible and feed them once every couple of days.

Table of contents

Care Basics Where to get a Leopard Gecko Housing Feeding Health and hygiene Breeding and care of hatchlings

Care Basics

The first step towards caring for a leopard gecko is to make sure it’s healthy. If you buy a gecko that’s already sick, you’ll have a very hard time treating it. If you find a healthy gecko at a pet store, make sure that it has a clean, dry cage and no signs of mites. You can also try rescuing a gecko from a pet store or a friend who doesn’t want it anymore. Be sure to research the species you have in mind and make sure it’s the right choice for you. Once you have your gecko, start thinking about its habitat. Geckos need warm, tropical temperatures, which means that you can’t keep them in a room that’s too cold. The humidity of their habitat also needs to be kept at around 70%; this can be achieved with a water bowl or a water bottle. To make your leopard gecko feel more at home, decorate its habitat with lots of plants and places to hide.

Where to get a Leopard Gecko

One of the first things you have to decide when choosing a pet is where to get it from. The best place to get a gecko is from a reputable breeder or pet store. Avoid buying one from a child because it might not be taken care of properly. If you decide to get a leopard gecko from a pet store, make sure that it’s not too young. Young geckos are more likely to die than older ones. Make sure to choose a healthy one and avoid getting a female if you don’t plan on breeding it.

Housing

One of the most important aspects of keeping a leopard gecko is setting up the right habitat. It needs warm, tropical temperatures, which means that you can’t keep it in a room that’s too cold. The humidity of its habitat also needs to be kept at around 70%; this can be achieved with a water bowl or a water bottle. To make your leopard gecko feel more at home, decorate its habitat with lots of plants and places to hide. The size of the habitat will depend on the age of your gecko. A hatchling needs around a 10-gallon tank, while an adult needs something around 20 gallons. Avoid glass tanks because they’re not very breathable, and plastic ones are better at retaining humidity.

Feeding

Another important aspect of keeping a leopard gecko is feeding it. They eat crickets, mealworms and other insects. You can also offer them vegetables like carrots and lettuce. If you want to give them vitamin supplements, you can also add a calcium and vitamin D3 supplement to their diet. If you notice that your gecko is not eating, it might be because of stress. Make sure to keep the habitat clean, and don’t handle your gecko too much, try leaving food for it in a bowl.

Health and hygiene

Leopard geckos are relatively easy to take care of, but they are still reptiles, so they are susceptible to infections. If your gecko is not eating, it might be a result of a health problem. If it has a bad smell, it might have an infection. If it has a slimy appearance and you can’t get rid of the smell, it might have a parasite. You have to keep the habitat clean to avoid infections and parasites. If you notice that your gecko is losing weight or seems generally unwell, you should take it to a vet.

Breeding and care of hatchlings

If you want to breed leopard geckos, make sure that you set up a separate breeding tank and that both animals are healthy. Females will lay eggs around every two weeks and the eggs need to be kept at around 84 degrees. After about three weeks, the eggs will hatch into tiny geckos called hatchlings. At this point, you need to feed them with a special gecko formula that’s available at pet stores. Keep the habitat warm and humid, and make sure to remove the droppings as soon as possible to avoid infections. Young geckos grow very fast and they can become fully adult in six months. They also need more space around this age, which is the time to move them to a bigger tank.

Conclusion

Leopard geckos are popular pets because they’re relatively easy to maintain. However, they’re also high-maintenance reptiles that need to be kept in warm, humid environments with plenty of insects to eat. If you’re willing to take care of these critters, they can make a great pet for teenagers and young adults who want to learn about taking care of other types of reptiles.