Leopard Geckos are one of the most popular reptile pets in the UK, which is largely down to their docile temperament and sociable nature. Leopard Geckos are nocturnal and are usually found in dry and semi desert areas of Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and Northwest India, however all of our geckos are captive bred in the UK.
Leopard Geckos grow to between 7-8 inches once fully grown which makes them a very manageable size. By nature, most reptiles do not enjoy being handled as they are a prey animal and can be intimidated by us as we are much larger than them and could be seen as a predator. However, with patience and time leopard geckos will tolerate being handled and enjoy your warmth.
Warning: Leopard Geckos are capable of dropping their tail if frightened or stressed. It is extremely painful and takes a long time for the tail to grow back. NEVER pick up a leopard gecko by the tail.
Leopard Geckos are insectivores and will live exclusively on a variety of insect feeders. These range from crickets to hoppers, dubia roaches to mealworms and waxworms. Waxworms should only be fed as a treat as they are naturally high in fat and low in protein. All insects should be gut loaded with vegetables such as carrots, greens, pepper etc. This increases the nutritional level of the insects which are passed onto your gecko.
The insects will be spinkled liberally with Komodo Nutrical powder or Arcadia earth pro calcium, available in store. These are to ensure all geckos benefit from the much needed calcium intake to ensure strong bones and thus avoiding MBD (Metabolic bone disease), a fatal and often easily avoided condition that causes life-long health complications for reptiles.
You should regularly health check your gecko to ensure their eyes are bright, that they are active and maintaining a good weight condition.
You should regularly check them for stuck shed, especially around their tail and toes as this can cause further problems. Damp moss and correct humidity levels will also help the shedding process.
We also recommend checking your reptiles mouth for mouth rot regularly, this can be caused by stress, incorrect temperature and humidity levels, poor diet and poor general conditions. This needs to be treated with regular cleaning and antibiotics.
Remember to NEVER pull the shed off your reptile asn this can be very painful for them.
There is somewhat of an argument among keepers as to whether or not leopard geckos have been successfully kept for many years without the presence of UVB lighting, providing they have a good diet with calcium and vitamin D3 supplements supplied readily. Although more current research does highlight the many benefits of providing UVB to a leopard gecko.
A leopard gecko's skin can absorb up to 14 times the amount of UVB than the skin of a bearded dragon and so if you would like to provide a UVB source for your gecko, we would recommend the Shade Dweller kit from Arcadia as its output is 7% and is made for species that don't usually venture out during the day.
Heat is much more important to a leopard gecko than UVB. Leopard geckos also thermoregulate, so a hot spot is necessary at a temperature of around 30 to 32 degrees Celcius and an ambient temperature of around 24 degrees.
We use heat mats at one end of the leopard gecko enclosures to provide the heat gradient they require. You can also use a low wattage bulb at one end of the vivarium and control it via a dimming thermostat. This creates the necessary thermal gradient, allowing your animal to regulate its own body temperature by deciding for itself whether to bask under the heat source or move to the cooler end.
Heat bulbs should be enclosed in a bulb cage to prevent the leopard gecko from coming into contact with the bulb. Thermometers should be used at both ends of the vivarium to accurately monitor temperatures.
If you have purchased a full set-up from us then an adequately sized vivarium is included with calcium, dishes, thermostat and heat mat. Reptile safe disinfectant and essential UVB are provided to ensure you have everything you need to get your chosen gecko set up and ready in their new home with you! Remember to only use reptile safe disinfectant which can be purchased in store.
The full set up price from us includes a vivarium and starter kit that contains everything you need to get going apart from substrate.
Don't forget to purchase hides and wooden bridges for your leopard gecko so they can hide and climb. We recommend you have three hides in the vivarium, one in the hot end, one in the cool end and one with sphagnum moss in for moisture during the shed process.
Fun Fact: Leopard geckos eat their shed as it happens, so it's very rare you'll find any or ever see your gecko shed.
We have branches, platforms, plants and logs available in store to provide a fun area for your gecko. All reptile products and decoration we have available are safe and provide not only an interesting environment for you and your gecko, but encourage natural behaviours for maximum welfare. For ideas of what may further enrich your gecko, please speak to a member of our team who will be happy to help.
If you have any questions about your new pet, then please feel free to give the store you purchased it from a call.
We hope that you enjoy your newest companion and that you have many very happy years together.
