Leopard Gecko Care Sheet

Scientific/Latin Name
Eublepharis macularius

Summary	These attractive nocturnal lizards are popular pets due to their small size and simple care requirements. They are available in many striking color and pattern variations. They reach a length of 8-10 inches when fully-grown and with proper care can live over fifteen years. When you get your gecko home, call an experienced reptile veterinarian to schedule a fecal check and physical exam.
Essentials	2 - 3 foot Vivarium Tight, screened lid Plastic hiding box Beech Chips/Calci-Sand/Corn Chips Shallow, heavy dishes Rocks or logs Crickets (Wax worms or mealworms occasionally) Calcium-rich gut loading pellets, for crickets Calcium/D3 and multivitamin supplements Undertank heating required
Optional	Nocturnal incandescent bulb of appropriate wattage optional A mat-stat to regulate the undertank heater to help prevent burns
General	Baby geckos may be nervous and excitable at first, but with regular gentle handling they will become tame and easy to manage. Leopard geckos should not be handled during the day. Children should be supervised when handling a gecko and taught never to pick it up by the tail, which may break off.
Housing	Baby leopard geckos can be kept in an 18" Leopard Gecko Starter Kit with a secure screened lid. One adult requires at least a 2 - 3 foot Vivarium with a tight fitting screen lid. Floor space is more important because leopard geckos cannot climb on glass like other geckos. A male can be kept with females but never with another male. Calci-Sand can be used with adults, but never juveniles! Provide several hiding places throughout the cage as leopard geckos are nocturnal and hide during the day. Keep one of those hiding places moist by placing slightly dampened sphagnum peat moss inside to help the gecko shed properly. Rocks and logs add interest and make good resting areas. Water must always be available in a heavy shallow dish. The cage should have a cool end, at about 75 F, and a warm end, at 85 F, so that your gecko can regulate its own body temperature. The optimum air temperature by day is 86 F and 82-85 F by night. To achieve these temperatures, you can use an undertank heater and a nocturnal incandescent reptile lamp. Locate the tank out of direct sunlight to avoid overheating. Do not use hotrocks. They can cause thermal burns or electrical fires and should NEVER be used with leopard geckos or any reptile.
Diet	Adult Leopard geckos will thrive on a diet of brown crickets. Babies and juveniles should be fed every day until full (5 insects appropriately sized). Adults should be fed 6 to 10 insects every other day. Dust crickets every feeding with a calcium and D3 supplement like Calypso Calcium and D3 or SFT Miner-All "I". To dust, place the insects in a plastic bag, add a pinch of calcium and shake to coat the insects with the powder. Remove uneaten crickets after a half hour to prevent them from annoying your gecko.
Cleaning	Wash out the water and food dishes daily. Place the gecko in an escape proof container while cleaning the tank. Both the tank and any washable floor coverings should be washed weekly in hot water. A 10% bleach solution can be used to disinfect the tank. Rinse well with hot water and dry thoroughly. It is convenient to have two pieces of floor covering and rotate them. If the substrate is lined with newspaper or paper towels, change them when soiled. Replace sand approximately 3 times per year.
Fertility	Leopard geckos are sexually mature at 10 months of age. Male geckos are larger, heavier around the neck and have a line of pores on their belly between their hind legs. They have two swellings near the vent at the base of the tail. Sex is hard to determine until the gecko reaches 5-6" in length.
Health	Providing they are purchased in good condition, leopard geckos are hardy pets which have relatively few problems. A healthy gecko will have a fat tail and be alert and active, with a good appetite. If necessary schedule a fecal check and physical exam with an experienced reptile veterinarian to ensure your pet's health.
Warning	Never use "hot rocks" for your leopard gecko as they can cause serious burns. If your Gecko has trouble shedding skin from it's toes place it in a ½ inch bowl of luke warm water and rub the loose skin gently with a cotten bud until the skin has been removed.