Leopard gecko

Characteristics

Leopard gecko (eublepharis macularius) is one of the largest nocturnal (active during the night) ground dwelling species of gecko.
Its habitat are the rocky deserts found in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and northwest India.
They have large, fatty tails where they store nutrients to use during winter when temperatures drop to 10°C or lower.
This false hibernation is called “brumation” and the geckos require little food during this season.
Unlike many other gecko species, leopard geckos do have freely moving eyelids, though they still lick their eyes clean with their tongues.
Males can grow up to 28 centimeters in length and weigh as much as 80 grams.


Care

Temperatures around 25°C and low humidity are recommended.

Sand is never a good option as bedding, since they can easily lick it up and are unable to digest it. For breeding, multiple females and one male are optimal.

They eat insects (mealworms, superworms, waxworms, crickets and roaches of according size – about the space between the gecko’s eyes), females may be offered pinky mice once or twice during the mating season to fatten up and gain extra valuable calcium. Live food should be dusted in calcium and vitamins.

Since high humidity can cause breathing problems and even sickness, a shallow water dish should be available at all times.

At least two hides per animal (one on the warm side and one on the cool side) are necessary. A moist hide (a closed box with an entrance hole and moist cocofiber or moss inside) is optional to ensure the geckos shed (lose their old skin) well and completely.

These geckos do not require UVB.



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