Leopard Gecko
The Leopard Gecko originates from Ryukus, Hainan and other islands. It is part of the Eublepharinae family - which basically means geckos with moveable eyelids. It is probably the best lizard for a beginner.Leopard Geckos grow to around 8 inches and have a placid temperament. Even though they often do not handling many seem to enjoy careful stroking. It is a sturdy lizard with a large head, large eyes, small but strong legs and a large thick tail. Typical adults are light to dark yellow with irregular dark brown spots. The head has dark brown spots on top and often there is a stripe from eye to nostril.
Geckos fit well into all-glass aquaria. A 10 gallon tank is usually big enough for one male and two female adult Leopard Geckos. Leopard Geckos like a substrate of fine playbox sand an inch or so deep. Other substrate materials could be wood chips, newspaper or paper towels. Whatever you use it must be easy to clean and not promote fungus growth.
Geckos like hiding places and for this purpose pieces of cork bark are ideal, being cheap, easy to shape and survives several soakings in bleach. Ceramic hide boxes can be bought which are easy to keep clean. The aquarium or terrarium should be sprayed every day with water mist to maintain the humidity these animals like.
All reptiles carry many types of bacteria in their intestines. Some lizards carry bacteria of the Salmonella family. As such you should handle your gecko as little as possible and wash your hands both before and after touching either the gecko itself or the inside of the terrarium. Every week make sure that everything in the terrarium is soaked in a bleach and water solution for a couple of hours and clean the walls and floors of the terrarium.
Most geckos do well at room temperature and need little light. We used a light in our tank at first but 'Liz' avoided it and seems much more content now that the bulb has blown!
Most geckos are insectivores that also accept some plant juices. Liquids should be offered in a shallow, broad-based dish. Almost all geckos will feed on crickets of the appropriate size (slightly longer than the width of the geckos mouth). Ours had brown crickets as a youngster but will now happily take the bigger black crickets. Calcium and vitamin supplements made especially for reptiles are readily available in pet shops. They should be added to the crickets food the day before feeding them to the gecko. Alternatively place a small amount of vitamin supplement in a plastic bag, add a few crickets, close the neck of the bag and shake the bag to coat the crickets before feeding them to the gecko.
Leopard Geckos will take treats of a mix of half water and honey. Calcium and vitamins must be added to the mix, especially for breeding females.
Useful Links
Captive Bred Excellence snake and gecko breeders
