The leopard gecko (lat. Eublepharis macularius) or spotted leopard gecko is a fairly large gecko, very popular among lovers of exotic animals. It is easy to care for, it is peaceful, can live in small terrariums, is easy to breed, and there are more than enough different color variations. No wonder he's so popular. From the article you will learn where it comes from, how to care for it, and what conditions are needed to maintain it.
Contents in a terrarium
For one gecko or pair, 50 liters is enough. Of course, larger volume will only be better, especially if you plan to breed them.
There is no need to place a cover glass on the terrarium, since leopard geckos do not have the ability to climb smooth surfaces; they do not have developed suckers on their paws like other types of geckos.
However, if you have cats or dogs at home, then it is better to cover the terrarium, as they pose a serious danger to geckos.
Well, don’t forget that crickets and other insects can also escape from it, and you hardly need them in the house.
Several mature females will get along quite well (if they are about the same size), but males are pugnacious and will fight.
A male and several females will also get along, but it is better not to keep them together until they have reached sexually mature sizes (approximately 45 grams for both male and female).
If you have purchased a young pair and plan to keep them together, then it is better to raise them separately.
Why?
Males grow faster and are larger than females, this is especially true if they are raised together. A larger male is more active and aggressive, he eats faster, often takes food from the female, or simply terrorizes her.
In addition, he becomes sexually mature earlier and begins mating games with a female, who is often not ready.
Often females weighing 25-30 grams lay eggs, but they are still too small. This shortens their lifespan, is stressful and reduces their potential.
If you raise several females together, remember that sometimes one of them grows faster and can take food away from its companions.
If the sizes are very different, then it is better to plant them in different terrariums.
Lifestyle of the spotted leopard gecko
Like most geckos, our hero leads a twilight and nocturnal lifestyle, and spends the day in shelters and burrows. The nocturnal nature of its life activity is evidenced by enlarged eyeballs with vertical pupils. Therefore, you should not worry if your pet is not active during the day, but lies sleepily in a shelter or gets out into an open area of the terrarium. With the onset of dusk, the leopard gecko will go out to “hunt”.
Under natural conditions, spotted leopard geckos live in small colonies consisting of one male and several females. The male jealously guards his territory from the invasion of competitors.
The lifespan of males in nature is 8-10 years, and solitary females are 5-8 years. Females that constantly lay eggs live even shorter - only 3-4 years.
Priming
It is better to keep the juveniles on plain paper, at least until they are 10-12 cm long.
Leopard geckos are very active when feeding, and can often swallow soil while catching insects.
And in juveniles this leads to digestive problems and even death, since their intestinal lumen is much narrower than that of adults. However, you can feed them in a separate container, as in the video below.
As for sand for adults, opinions are divided: some are quite comfortable keeping geckos in the sand, others say that it is dangerous.
Apparently, the issue is the size of the sand grains; it is important to use very fine sand, 0.5 mm or less. But, if you are still concerned about your health, then pebbles, moss, special mats for reptiles and paper are quite suitable.
Possible problems
The leopard gecko has become so popular as an always smiling and entertaining pet that numerous clubs for lovers of these terrarium animals are being formed around the world. Their activity is invaluable in Russia, since there are few veterinarians specializing in diseases of cold-blooded animals.
Despite the fact that the Eublefar is a very unpretentious animal that easily adapts to its living conditions, various problems can arise if it is not properly cared for:
- Rickets. This lizard disease is caused by a calcium deficiency. It is prevented by high-quality food with a high content of this element and the use of an ultraviolet lamp in the terrarium. For treatment, calcium gluconate is used in liquid form, dropping two drops into the lizard’s mouth daily for a month or two.
- Unsuccessful molt. The indicator is usually the condition of the tail. In an adult, the Eublephar should be dense and well-fed; in juveniles, it is narrower, but not flabby. A dry tip indicates problems. It must be carefully cut off and the wound treated with Chlorhexedine or Miramistin. The new one will grow quickly. Often the tail is discarded in a moment of danger and a new one grows short and smooth.
- Fungal infection. Grayish spots appear on the lizard's skin. For treatment, it is better to contact a veterinary clinic.
- Helminthiasis. Almost all lizards are carriers, but the pathology worsens only under severe stress or exhaustion. The leopard gecko refuses to eat, the tail becomes thinner, and the excrement becomes liquid and has a bad smell. To combat parasites, the drugs ReptiLife and Profender are used. It is also necessary to give your pet a weak solution of Regidron to prevent dehydration. Feces should be immediately removed from the terrarium to avoid re-infection, and the home itself should be disinfected with hot water every day, removing pets from there. There is no need to use chemicals for cleaning.
In general, the condition of the tail and eyes is an important indicator of the health of the Eublephar.
In addition, you need to monitor your pet's stool. In a healthy individual it consists of three parts. The liquid one is urine, the dark excrement is feces itself, and the light excrement is excreted excess salts.
Heating
All reptiles need an environment that allows them to choose places with higher or lower temperatures.
At one moment your leopard geckos will want to warm up, and at another they will want to cool down. The best option for them is bottom heating using a thermal mat.
It should be placed in one corner of the terrarium to create a temperature gradient.
The temperature in the warm corner is about 28-32°C, and if at night it does not drop below 22°C, then the heating can be turned off. Be sure to monitor the temperature using two thermometers located in different corners. Cooling, as well as severe overheating, are fraught with illness.
Heat stones or other heat sources are often sold in pet stores, but should not be purchased. They are not adjustable, you cannot control the temperature, and they can cause burns to your pet.
Color
In their natural habitat, leopard geckos have a “standard” color: from sandy to light yellow with dark brown or black spots scattered over the entire surface. This combination of colors gave this gecko its name - leopard or spotted. But thanks to the efforts of breeders, today you can find a wide variety of morphs - from snow-white with neat black spots, to plain orange or coal-black. You can get an idea of the morphs of these reptiles from photos of leopard geckos posted on the Internet.
Lighting
Leopard geckos are usually inactive during the day and do not require heat lamps or UV lamps.
They prefer to hide in a dark shelter during the day and bright light is a source of stress for them. Some owners used bright lamps to cause their geckos to refuse food and die.
Use dim, diffused light and bottom heating. Do not use bright lamps, and use UV lamps only for treatment.
Purchase
"Leopard" can be purchased on special websites. In some large cities there may be clubs for lovers of such animals, where they also sell them. Pet stores usually don’t deliver lizards without an order, but the reptile is not considered in short supply either.
Before purchasing, you should determine the gender of your leopard gecko. The fact is that up to 6 months, until puberty occurs, males can live peacefully together. But with the onset of puberty and the desire to mate, a struggle occurs between them, so it is advisable not to acquire 2 males.
The cost of a lizard is from 1500 rubles.
The spotted leopard gecko will be man's best friend if you care for it properly. It is enough just to provide him with the optimal conditions necessary for normal development and health.
Shelters
They are active at dusk and in nature they hide under stones and snags during the day. So shelters in the terrarium are required. This can be a variety of items: cardboard boxes, pots, branded shelters, coconut halves, whatever.
The main thing is that it is spacious enough. It is better to place several shelters in the terrarium, one in a warm corner, the other in a cool corner.
This way the gecko can choose the temperature it needs. In addition, a so-called wet chamber is needed for molting.
Mr. Tail recommends: varieties
According to scientific classification, leopard geckos are currently divided into five species.
Iranian leopard geckos
The natural habitat of this species of Eublephar is Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Türkiye. The lizard prefers rocky mountains from 300 to 1000 meters above sea level. In some places the number of animals is large, in others, for example, in Turkey, it is negligible.
The physique of the Iranian Eublephar is typical for this lizard, but its limbs are much longer and its body is more massive.
The lower part of the body and abdomen are almost white; the back, head and paws on top are covered with brownish-yellowish linear streaks. The long, massive tail has transverse alternating brown and light stripes.
Eublepharis angramainyu is capable of interbreeding with the Spotted Eublepharis and producing healthy, viable hybrids in the first and second generations.
This species feeds mainly on small lizards. Throughout the year it leads a secretive lifestyle, becoming more active only in the spring during the mating season.
This species is not yet protected by the Convention on International Trade, since it has been little studied and its true numbers are unknown.
West Indian leopard gecko
Eublepharis fuscus is a species native to the arid Indian regions in the western part of the country. This is a large lizard up to 40-45 cm long with a bright yellow longitudinal stripe on its back, running over a dark pattern.
This species was first subjected to scientific research at the end of the 19th century, and was found near Bombay, in Mumbai. But for a long time it was considered a subspecies of the spotted leopard gecko and was allocated to a separate class only in 1997.
It differs from other varieties in its large size, location and type of lamellas on the back and legs. The pattern is still more spotted than linear.
It lives in nature at altitudes of 50-650 m in dry forests, preferring hills, boulders and bushes for living. Activity appears in lizards in December, when the young grow a little. There is evidence of a slight decline in population size, although the species still occupies a fairly large area of about 150 thousand square kilometers.
Herdwick's leopard geckos
Eublepharis hardwicki is native to the eastern regions of India and Bangladesh. This species has been studied very little.
It is known that lizards prefer heights from 500 to 1500 m and the population occupies a habitat area of about 400-700 thousand square kilometers. They love dry deciduous forests, living under stones and tree roots.
In terms of beauty of color, it is not much inferior to the Spotted Leopard Gecko, and therefore is the subject of active trade.
The lizard's body is dense and short, maximum 20-23 cm long, the legs are also small.
The length of the nose is equal to the distance between the eyes, the large ear openings are oval. On the head and body there are scales in the form of polyhedra and numerous tubercles. The long tail is slightly rounded and appears swollen.
There are 10 scales above and below the lips, and on the abdomen there are 30 horizontal stripes. They are also present on the lower part of the tail, and the chin is decorated with large shields.
With a long red, thin and flat tongue, Herdvik's Eublefar is able to lick the eyes and the entire head.
The pattern on the lizard's body is in reddish, light or dark brown tones. This is how the head, wide areas on the back and tail are colored. In contrast, yellowish stripes run along the back of the head, the center of the back and the base of the tail. The paws are pinkish in color, and the lower part of the body and abdomen are almost white.
These lizards are silent, but when frightened they make piercing sounds with tints and vibrations.
This is the most widespread species of Eublephar in nature, the population size is large and there is no threat of extinction of the animal. It is found at home, but is not as popular as the leopard print.
Spotted Leopard Gecko
Eublepharis macularius in natural conditions is an inhabitant of Pakistan and northern India. The maximum body length of a night lizard is 25-30 cm.
This is the most common species in home terrariums, as it is easy to maintain and easily reproduces in captivity.
The class was first described in 1854 and has five subspecies.
The main background of the body can be different - straw-yellow or gray-pink, sometimes with a purple tint. But there are always dark “leopard-print” spots scattered throughout it, evenly covering the entire lizard from the nose to the tip of the tail.
Newborns and juveniles have a different color - at first they are almost black, then wide transverse alternating stripes of light (usually yellow) and dark (brown or charcoal) tones appear on the body.
There are sharp tubercles throughout the body and legs; scales are present on the abdomen (20-30), tail, and eyelids (45-57).
Leopard Geckos were first found in the southern parts of Afghanistan, and then in India and Pakistan. These are the indigenous inhabitants of semi-deserts and dry savannas. They love clay and sandy soils, stones, and dried shrubs. The coloring, which looks very bright in terrariums, helps them blend in with nature in their native environment.
During the period when the ambient temperature drops to +5...+15 ºC, Spotted Leopard Geckos fall into a kind of suspended animation, semi-hibernation for several months, waiting out the unfavorable time using fat reserves.
Whereas in summer, when around +40 ºC, lizards are active and feel good. Perhaps the ability to withstand sudden temperature changes without a threat to health made this pet so undemanding in terms of living conditions.
At dusk and at night, Leopard lizards track and attack invertebrates, arthropods, small mammals, scorpions, spiders, and centipedes. These are excellent hunters who know how to get food in difficult conditions due to their keen vision, excellent sense of smell and swift movements.
Now, in addition to natural color variations, there are many breeding ones. It is not a separate species, but only a unique color isomorphic form and the following variety deserves special attention.
Black Leopard Gecko
Natural bright coloring is an excellent camouflage for spotted leopard geckos, but at home they are not threatened by predators and new breeding forms acquire different colors. Today many hybrid forms are known, for example, Black Eye or Black Hole (BH).
The most unique and amazing black color scheme is Black Velvet and Black Pearl. Breeders from Europe are working on obtaining a black spotted lizard. The coal isomorph was obtained as a result of a random mutation when crossing two individuals of the natural color Normal. These are melanistic leopard geckos, which have a familiar pattern on their body, which is very difficult to distinguish due to the black pigment.
The work has been going on for about 20 years, but it has not yet been possible to achieve color stability. Black spotted leopard geckos are in the collections of only leading breeders and the price for such individuals on the foreign market is about 2 thousand dollars.
More often, lizards of lighter gray tones are born, but they are also in great demand; in Russia there is now only one such Eublefar.
This color is also called Black Knight and ranges from dark cinnamon to deep velvety black. The eyes of lizards are grayish with a blue tint.
Usually babies are born lighter and with a normal, clear pattern, but as they grow older they begin to darken and the pattern becomes barely visible. But sometimes it happens exactly the opposite: an absolutely charcoal newborn baby becomes light gray by the time it reaches sexual maturity.
This designer morph has a polygenic type of inheritance, controlled by pairs of non-allelic genes, that is, several combinations of pairs are responsible for the characteristics. There are many breeding varieties with this set: Bandit, Baldy, Carrot head and many others.
In lizards of the albino type Albino, during crossbreeding, a surge of melanin may occur and an absolutely black individual will be born, but this is a very unstable color and the color will not be repeated in the offspring.
Thus, until a clear understanding of the genetic mechanism of the birth of spotted melanists has been obtained, Black Knight Geckos will be an expensive exotic.
Afghan Leopard Gecko
In the official classification they are a subspecies of the Spotted, but some scientists still distinguish it as a separate species. It is found in the southern and northern regions of Afghanistan and in the northern regions of Pakistan. The colors are predominantly golden-yellow; the lizard is small in size - about 20 cm.
Turkmen leopard geckos
Eublepharis turcmenicus were widespread in the southern regions of Turkmenistan and the northern part of Iran, but now they are on the verge of extinction and are listed in the international Red Book.
Lives in rocks and foothills with dry bushes, often choosing burrows abandoned by other animals as shelters. The length of the spotted yellow-brown body rarely reaches 25 cm. The markings are uneven, irregular in shape and with a lilac tint.
It breeds in July-August, clutching two eggs. In all other respects, it is no different from the Spotted Leopard Gecko.
Wet chamber
Like all reptiles, leopard geckos molt. How often this happens depends on age and size; juveniles molt more often than adults.
You will know that your gecko is about to molt by its color change.
It becomes paler, turns white, the skin begins to peel and peel.
Typically, leopard geckos eat their skin immediately after molting, so you may not even see it.
They do this for two reasons: firstly, to absorb the nutrients contained in it, and secondly, so that predators do not detect traces of their presence.
Usually, they shed easily, but sometimes problems occur, especially if the humidity is insufficient.
Be sure to check your pet after shedding! This is especially true for the fingers, since often the skin remains on them, and as the gecko grows, it begins to squeeze them. Gradually the finger dies.
It’s not scary, usually everything heals, but I think they have more fun with fingers than without them...
To remove this skin, place it in a container filled with wet, warm paper and cover with a lid. After 30 minutes, the high humidity will soften the skin significantly and you can remove it with a cotton swab.
If this does not work out easily, then sit for another 30 minutes.
A wet chamber is simply a shelter in which there is a damp substrate - moss, shavings, vermiculite.
Leopard geckos love to sit in it, even when they are not molting. Again, this could be any item, for example, a plastic container, but that’s not the point.
Appearance of the "leopard"
The leopard gecko reaches 30 cm in length (including the tail). He, like other geckos, has a fairly large head and, unusual for lizards, a thick tail. The body is covered with small scales.
The coloration of leopard geckos is mainly yellow with various variations of dark brown spots and tubercles. Juveniles also have white colors on their bodies. Although there are also albino forms.
The tarsi are thin, of medium length with five elongated and rounded toes. Under the forelimbs there are so-called armpits - leather pockets, the function of which is not yet clear to scientists. The paws have thin claws, with the help of which lizards can move on soft surfaces.
The leopard gecko's eyes are similar to those of a cat - large, protruding and elongated. Unlike other members of the Gekkonidae family, the spotted leopard gecko has developed movable eyelids, which gives this animal an even more attractive appearance.
Habitat
The spotted leopard gecko's habitat extends from Afghanistan, Pakistan to western India. The lizard prefers to settle in rocky areas of the foothills and sandy areas, but is most often found in semi-fixed sands. In open desert areas the animal feels uncomfortable and avoids them.
Water and humidity
Leopard geckos come from dry climates, but require water and humidity. They drink water by lapping their tongue, so you can set up a simple drinking bowl. The main thing is to monitor the quality of the water in it, preventing the growth of bacteria.
The humidity in the terrarium should be at 40-50% and it should be maintained by spraying the terrarium with a spray bottle.
Especially if you don't have a humid chamber, otherwise there will be problems with shedding. You need to monitor the humidity using an ordinary hygrometer, which you can buy at a pet store.
Ventilation
When keeping a leopard gecko at home, it is very important to ensure high-quality ventilation. Stagnant air can lead to the development of fungal and inflammatory diseases of the skin and lungs in the gecko. To a certain extent, natural air circulation helps to ventilate the space - the movement of warm and cold air masses due to properly done ventilation and heating of the terrarium (or container). The best option is a series of holes at the bottom through which cold air will enter, as well as a series of holes at the top on the opposite wall and in the lid through which warm air will escape, creating a natural circulation. Heating should be installed exactly on the side where the holes are made in the upper part.
Feeding
They eat exclusively live food - insects, and do not eat fruits and vegetables.
It is best to feed crickets and mealworms, but you can also feed cockroaches and catfish. Sometimes you can give naked mice, but not often, as they are very nutritious.
Mice especially need to be given to females during pregnancy and after laying eggs, to replenish energy losses.
It has been noticed that females often refuse them during pregnancy, but eat greedily after, often two or three at a time.
It is very important to give special reptile supplements that contain vitamins and minerals along with the insects.
Insects are either simply sprinkled with them, or kept in a container with the additive for some time.
Let's look at the pros and cons of feeding crickets and mealworms.
Crickets
Behind
- Active, stimulate geckos to hunt.
- They contain more protein, calcium, and vitamins than mealworms.
- Chitin is thin and easy to digest
Against
- They need to be looked after, watered and fed, or rested.
- Uneaten ones irritate geckos by crawling on them.
- They often eat gecko feces, becoming carriers of parasites.
- You need to make sure that they are all eaten, and catch the extra ones.
- They stink.
- They can run away.
- They chirp
Mealworms
Behind
- Inactive, cannot escape.
- You buy it and forget it, it lives in the refrigerator for weeks.
- They do not run away and eat as the gecko desires, and do not irritate him.
- You can leave them in the terrarium and add new ones only as they disappear.
Against
- Less nutrients.
- More difficult to digest.
- They can bury themselves in the sand if they get out of the feeder.
- Less active ones do not stimulate geckos as much.
Conclusion : it is better to alternate feeding mealworms and crickets, so you get a balanced diet. Young geckos need to be fed daily, adolescents every other day, and adults two to three times a week.
Communication with a person
Leopard geckos very quickly get used to communicating with people and sit calmly in their arms. In the first week after acquisition, it is worth limiting contact with the animal to allow it to adapt. It is recommended not to disturb young animals without reason.
For taming purposes, it is necessary to feed the leopard geckos from your hands, take them out of the terrarium for a few minutes and hold them in your hands. When the gecko understands that you do not pose a danger, he will stop being afraid of you and will come out on his own. However, this cannot be guaranteed, since each animal has an individual character. If the reptile is not stressed outside the terrarium, you can let it wander around the room after closing the windows and locking other pets in separate rooms. The leopard gecko should only be outside the terrarium under supervision.
On our website there are many photographs of leopard geckos, as well as a video, after watching which you will get acquainted with the habits of the reptile.
The Panteric pet store supplies only healthy animals and helps with the selection of everything needed for terrarium equipment. Our consultants answer ALL questions and give important advice on care and breeding. During your departure, you can leave your pet in our hotel - experienced veterinarians will look after it.
Care
Regular daily care is the key to the health and long life of your pet. Pet reptiles live in confined spaces and must be protected from harmful microorganisms and pet parasites. Check the terrarium daily to make sure it is clean.
Everything you place in the terrarium should be disinfected and washed weekly. This applies to food and water containers and decorations. The litter should be changed every three to four months. Products containing phenol should not be used as cleaning agents. Cleaners containing chlorine and alcohol are acceptable, but should be rinsed off thoroughly.
Leopard geckos are generally easy to care for and defecate in one area of their home. Any approved product, such as Jurassi Clean, can be used for cleaning. To remove feces, you can use a scoop with holes, immediately sifting clean sand.
