Housing

Leopard geckos can be kept singly or in small groups. A small vivarium is all that is required, with a 2 foot vivarium being ideal for a single gecko or even a pair. Some people use sand as substrate, but we prefer either paper, or if you want something more decorative, then lino or slate tiles look good. Leopard geckos need somewhere to hide at both the warm and cool end of the enclosure, and also need a humid hide(a hide full of damp sphagnum moss) to enable them to shed properly.

Temperature

Leopard geckos require a basking spot with a reasonably high temperature. The cool end of the vivarium should be at least 22C, with the warm end reaching 29-32C. The warmer end is best provided by a heat mat covering no more than a third to half of the enclosures floor space. Always make sure that heat mats are protected by a suitable thermostat to avoid burns to your snake. It is best to always check temperatures accurately with a digital thermometer.

Lighting

Leopard Geckos do not require any special lighting, or UVb light. Unless in a particularly dark room, most people keep their leos without lighting, but to allow better viewing lights can be used, and will be of no detriment to the lizard, as long as they do not increase the ambient temperature too much.

Humidity

Leopard Geckos do well at normal room humidity of around 50%. Always provide a bowl of fresh, clean water. As mentioned above, a humid hide will allow your leopard gecko to vary its humidity, and to shed more effectively.

Feeding

Leopard geckos are insectivores. Many people feed their leopard geckos solely on mealworms, whilst others feel that variety is important. Leopard geckos will usually accept crickets, mealworms, locusts, and small roaches and some people give their leos waxworms as an occasional treat. All food must be dusted daily with calcium powder, and with a vitamin powder twice a week. It is beneficial to leave a small bowl of calcium powder in your geckos enclosure, to allow it to help itself if it feels it needs to.

Breeding

Leopard geckos are very easy to breed. Introduce the female to the male in spring if kept separately. Mating usually occurs fairly quickly. A few weeks later the female will lay a clutch of 2 eggs in her moss filled hide. The eggs are best incubated in damp vermiculite at about 28C(84f). After a couple of months the baby leos will hatch from the eggs.

Buying Tips

Ask to handle the gecko to gauge it's health and temperament. Baby leopard geckos are fast and may squeal and try to bite, but they grow out of this with regular handling. Look for taught skin, clear bright eyes, and no faecal staining around the vent. A healthy leo should move easily, have a plump tail, and no deformity of the legs.

Varieties

There are literally many, many morphs and varieties of Leopard Geckos, and even a giant form! The most common include hypomelanistic, mack snow and albino.