Keeping Leopard Geckos: A Complete Guide for Beginners
The leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) is the ideal beginner species for reptile keepers. They are small, robust, nocturnal, and do not require a UV-B lamp. Moreover, they are curious and quickly become tame – an ideal first reptile for young and old alike.
What is a leopard gecko?
The leopard gecko originates from the rocky semi-deserts of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India. They grow to 20–25 cm long and can live for 15–20 years with proper care. Unlike most geckos, they do not have adhesive toes – they do not climb on glass.
Suitable for: absolute beginners, including children (with supervision)
Not suitable for: people who want a diurnal animal
The Terrarium – size and setup
Minimum dimensions
| Age | Minimum terrarium size |
|---|---|
| Juvenile (0–6 months) | 60x40x40 cm |
| Sub-adult (6–12 months) | 80x40x40 cm |
| Adult (1 year+) | 90x45x45 cm (final size) |
Tip: Leopard geckos are ground-dwelling – width and depth are more important than height. A low, horizontal terrarium is sufficient.
Setup
Leopard geckos need hides in different temperature zones, as well as a moist hide for shedding.
| Product | Application |
|---|---|
| Repto Plant in Deco Light Green | Compact ground cover near hide |
| Repto Plant Standing Round Leaves | Standing plant for visual barrier |
| Repto Plant in Deco Elephant Red | Color accent next to the hide |
| Repto Plant in Deco Three Tip Leaf | Decoration on the cool side |
Temperature and lighting
| Zone | Daytime temperature | Nighttime |
|---|---|---|
| Basking spot | 30–32°C | — |
| Warm side (ambient) | 28–30°C | 22–24°C |
| Cool side | 22–24°C | 18–20°C |
Tip: Use a heat mat with a thermostat under one-third of the terrarium. Leopard geckos absorb heat through their belly – a heat lamp alone is not sufficient.
The Repto Light Stand Adhesive offers stable lamp attachment without drilling.
Humidity
Leopard geckos require low humidity: 30–40%. The exception is the moist hide – keep this always damp. Use the Repto Pressure Sprayer 1L to keep the moist hide humid.
Feeding – insects and supplements
| Age | Prey animal | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Juvenile (0–6 months) | Small crickets, fruit flies | Daily |
| Sub-adult (6–12 months) | Crickets, mealworms | Every other day |
| Adult (1 year+) | Crickets, dubia roaches, superworms | 2–3x per week |
Supplements – crucial:
- Calcium without D3 – dust every feeding
- Calcium with D3 – 2x per week
- Multivitamin – 1x per week
Use the Repto Fruit Snack Holder as a feeding dish for mealworms – this prevents them from crawling through the substrate.
Maintenance & hygiene
- Daily: remove faeces, change water, check moist hide
- Weekly: partial cleaning of decoration and glass walls
- Monthly: complete cleaning of terrarium and substrate
Use the Repto Glass Cleaner for the glass walls – no chemical residues, safe for your animal.
Behavior & handling
Leopard geckos are naturally curious and quickly become tame. They are one of the easiest reptiles to handle.
- Start after 1–2 weeks of acclimatization
- Keep sessions short: 10–15 minutes
- Always support the entire body
- Never hold the tail – leopard geckos can drop their tail when stressed (it will regrow, but look different)
- They are most active in the evening – ideal time for interaction
Shedding
Leopard geckos shed every 4–8 weeks. Ensure the moist hide is always damp. After shedding, check the toes – retained skin can cut off blood supply and lead to toe loss.
Common mistakes
No moist hide. Without a moist hide, shedding will not go well.
Heat mat without thermostat. Leads to burns on the belly – always use a thermostat.
Sand as substrate for juveniles. Young leopard geckos can ingest sand, leading to impaction.
No supplements. Without calcium and vitamin D3, leopard geckos develop metabolic bone disease (MBD).
✅ Leopard gecko setup checklist
- Terrarium at least 90x45x45 cm (adult)
- Heat mat + thermostat
- Daylight lamp + timer (12-hour cycle)
- Thermometer (warm and cool side)
- Hygrometer (target: 30–40%)
- Substrate (lino or reptile carpet for juveniles)
- 3 hides (warm, moist hide, cool)
- Sphagnum moss for moist hide
- Artificial plants for cover (Repto Plant range)
- Water bowl (shallow)
- Calcium without D3 (daily)
- Calcium with D3 (2x per week)
- Multivitamin (1x per week)
- Repto Fruit Snack Holder (as feeding dish)
- Repto Pressure Sprayer 1L
- Repto Glass Cleaner
- Veterinarian who treats reptiles
Ready to get started?
The leopard gecko is the perfect beginner species – compact, full of character, and easy to care for. Check out our Repto range for artificial plants, care products, and terrarium accessories.
Next in this series: "Snakes as pets: what you need to know before you buy"
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