Western
New York Herpetological Society
www.wnyherp.org
©
2001 - 2002 by Western New York Herpetological Society
This
document is for guidance only and should not be used as the sole source of
information. New information is being developed daily. It is recommended that a
concerted effort be made to maintain up-to-date knowledge of the animals of
interest.
Common
Name:
Leopard Gecko
Latin
name:
Eublepharis macularius
Native
to:
Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India
Size:
8 to 9 inches
Life
span:
Up to 18 years.
General
appearance:
Yellow background color with adults having brown
spots. They have obvious ears and possess eyelids. They have no adhesive toe
pads like other types of geckos, but do have claws on their toes.
Housing
requirements:
Enclosure:
A 20-gallon long aquarium will be adequate for 3-4
geckos (only 1 male per enclosure--they are territorial). Rocks and logs will
provide climbing areas and hiding places. Each gecko must have its own hiding
place. A lid is not necessary for the geckos, since they do not climb glass,
but will help keep crickets from escaping.
Temperature:
Daytime high should be 82 º F on one end of tank to
90 º F under a spot light (choose wattage appropriate for providing the correct
temperature. Night temperature should be 70 º -72 º
F. A small part of the substrate should be
heated to 92 ºF using an under
tank heat pad.
Heat/Light:
No special UV lighting is needed as these geckos are
nocturnal. A spotlight with the appropriate wattage bulb should be used for
maintaining daytime heat/light.
Substrate:
Anything from newspaper to sand may be used, but
sand produces the most
natural setup. DO NOT use cedar.
Environment:
Dry, arid type climate. However, the area under the
hide box should be kept moist to aid shedding and simulate their natural
burrows. A shallow water dish should be available at all times.
Diet:
Crickets, mealworms, waxworms for adult lizards.
Hatchlings and juveniles should be fed small, appropriately sized crickets
only. Adults will also eat an occasional pinkie mouse. Crickets should be
dusted with calcium/D3 powder and vitamin supplements at every feeding for
hatchlings & juveniles, and every other feeding for adults. Avoid wild
caught insects!
Maintenance:
Keep substrate free of waste products. Water dish
must be washed and refilled daily to prevent bacterial growth. Change substrate
regularly.
Other
references or recommended reading:
"General
Care & Maintenance of Leopard Geckos and African Fat Tailed Geckos" by
Philippe
de Vosjoli.
"Leopard
Geckos" Reptiles Magazine, April 1994. P16-22