Leopard Gecko - Eublepharis macularius
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Leopard
Gecko - Eublepharis macularius
[Back to
Lizard Care Sheets]
General Information
Distribution — From eastern Iran and southeast Afghanistan to Pakistan and northwest India.
Habitat — Leopard Geckos inhabit dry environments including rocky deserts, grasslands, and flat table lands.
Adult Size — An average adult Leopard Gecko is usually between 20 and 25 cm (8 - 10 inches) total length. Hatchlings have a total length ranging from 8 and 9 cm (3 ¼ - 3 ½ inches) and grow to adult size in approximately one and a half years.
Temperament — Young Leopard Geckos - like most small animals - are highly sensitive to potential threats. They will typically try and escape whenever they an attempt is made to pick them up; however, if cornered, these tiny little creatures will make a harsh rasping sound, raise their tail, and stand stiff legged with mouths agape in a threat display. Don’t worry, despite this little act these animals are actually very easy to handle and adults are typically very docile animals.
Longevity — This species lives to be between 15 and 20 years old in captivity.
Captive Care
Rating: 1 — Due to this animals good nature, feeding habits, adult size, and availability as domestically bred stock it is an excellent starter lizard.
Diet: Hatchlings and Juveniles - crickets, meal worms, wax worms, and other insects; Adults - crickets, meal worms, wax worms, and the occasional pink mouse.
Temperature: 28o to 32 o C (83o-90oF) during the day and 20o to 22oC (69o-74oF) at night.
Space: Adult Leopard Gecko can be housed a 10-15 gallon terrarium. As a matter of fact, a breeding group of two females and one male can be housed in a 15-20 gallon terrarium.
Breeding: Leopard Geckos are one of the easiest species of lizard to breed in captivity. These animals do not require any special conditioning before breeding with the exception of being in good health. Some authors recommend a cooling period and a reduction in the day length but this is not necessary to induce breeding. Leopard Geckos can be considered sexually mature as early as 16 months of age and some may breed at younger ages; however, it is recommended that the animals be at least 18 months before breeding occurs to allow for proper growth. Breeding occurs from January through to June and may even occur into October. Females typically lay several clutches of two eggs which they fertilize with sperm from an earlier mating. Eggs should be removed and placed in an incubator. The sex of the hatchlings is determined by the temperature at which they were incubated. Females are produced at temperatures between 26.7o and 29oC, while males are produced at higher incubation temperatures ranging between 32o and 33.4oC. Mixed sexes are produced at temperatures between 28o and 30oC. Incubation temperature has also been documented to influence colouration in this species.
Special Requirements: This species is docile, eats readily, and is long lived which makes it a hardy animal ideally suited for beginners.; however, hatchlings should be left for about a month without any handling to make sure they get on a good feeding schedule. Most people make the mistake of handling their animal too soon and they end up with a very stressed lizard that refuses to eat. For the first few months, the contact you should have with your lizard should be for feeding, cleaning, and changing water only.
Sources (Suggested Reading):
de Vosjoli, Philip. 1990. The General Care and Maintenance of Leopard Geckos and African Fat-tailed Geckos. Advanced Vivarium Systems, Lakeside, California. Pp. 36.
Bartlett, R.D. and P. Bartlett. 1997. Lizard Care from A to Z. Barron’s Educational Series Inc., New York. Pp. 178.
Rogner, Manfred. 1997. Lizards, Volume 1. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. Pp. 317.