Leopard Geckos are one of the most popular pet reptiles in the UK and across the world!
They are known for being great starter reptiles as they are a small size and happy personalities. They are often very calm when acclimated to being handled, and move slowly which can be reassuring for new reptile owners. They are also known as Leopard Geckos due to their spotty scale patterns.
Leopard Geckos, unlike some reptile species are very successfully bred in captivity and have a wide range of morphs (scale colours and patterns). Leopard Geckos normally grow to 8-10 inches in length and with proper care can live from 10-20 years.
As they are one of the smaller reptile pet species they need a minimum vivarium of only 60x40x30cm per Gecko. They are ground dwelling geckos and do not have the sticky, gravity defying feet that other species do. This means you need to provide plenty of flat ground for your Leopard Gecko. Providing plenty of hides, basking spots and different textures will help enrich their lives.
Kept correctly Leopard Geckos make brilliant life long pets, but unfortunately a lot of these pets suffer due to a lack of correct care.
There is a lot of conflicting advise out there on how to care for your scaly friend. We have condensed some information around the main areas of Leopard Gecko care here, but for a more in-depth look at their husbandry you can download our free Bright Side Vets Leopard Gecko Care Sheet!
Some of the most common health issues for Leopard Geckos are directly related to an error in care. If one or a few of the basic requirements above are not met correctly your Leopard Gecko will begin to show signs of illness.
What does a Leopard Gecko environment look like?
Here you can see some examples of what a Leopard Gecko Vivarium could look like. The basics are always needed but the general presentation of the vivarium is very individual! The enrichment materials and look of your pets vivarium is completely up to you.
Get creative using safe materials to create a mini wilderness for them in your home!
Leopard Geckos originate from Pakistan and Afghanistan and their environmental needs are the same as they would be in the wild. Creating their own little wild zone in your home is important as for them as our natural home environment is not suitable. This means getting the temperatures, humidity, substrate and lighting as close to their wild habitat as possible. These factors make sure your pet is happy and healthy throughout their life with you.
Reptile safe materials
Your leopard gecko’s home doesn’t have to by a mini masterpiece, but there are lots of very simple things you can add. Adding natural textures and additional levels in your vivarium creates the environmental enrichment you pet needs to stay happy. Remember your pet spends the majority of their life in their vivarium so making it as interesting as possible keeps them happy and healthy.
Reptile safe materials you can use are:
- Drift wood – This come in all shapes and sizes. They often have interesting natural curves and bends making them great features to any vivarium!
- Cork Bark – These pieces often come in long but curved shapes making them ideal for creating hides.
- Synthetic vines – These man made vines are normally lined with wire, allowing your to position them exactly how you need them, while also bring strong enough to hold many different shapes and sizes of reptile. Being synthetic, they are easy to disinfect when needed.
- Live plants – Live plants are a great addition to any vivarium, while you create your reptiles own personal environment there are also native plant species that thrive in the same environment. Plants that are ideal for a leopard gecko enclosure are ‘Air Plants’.
- Fake Plants – Fake plants are great for adding a pop of colour and interest. They do not require any maintenance, unlike live plants, and are easy to disinfect.
- Tiles – These are great for a basking spot and they are flat spread heat evenly.
- Stone Slate/Large River Pebbles – Like tiles these are great for basking areas and add smooth surfaces with climbable height for your geckos.
- Sphagnum Moss – This natural material is ideal for your leopard geckos moist hide, most needed when shedding. This Moss holds humidity very well.
All of our further in depth care advise can be found here in our free downloadable Bright Side Vets Care Sheet!