Care

Things you’ll need:

• 10 gallon tank, per each gecko (20 gallon long for 2 leopard geckos)
• Heating pad or Heating Tape
• Thermometer with probe
• Thermostat (or basic light dimmer)
• At least 2 Hides (preferably 3)
• Papertowels (or other substrate)
• Water dish
• Mealworms/Crickets
• Calcium + Vitamin D Powder for dusting

Housing:
Enclosure: A 10 gallon aquarium houses one leopard gecko from hatchling to adult. A secure screen top is always recommended. Please note: Never house 2 males in the same enclosure.

Hides: At minimum of 2 hiding places should be available to your leopard gecko. One on the hot side and one on the cool side. A third hiding place is preferred for when your leopard gecko is shedding. That one should be a humid hide placed between the hot and cool side and misted when your leopard gecko is ready to shed. If you do not keep a humid hide, be sure to place wet paper towels in the hide on the hot side to help your leopard gecko shed. Improper shedding can lead to missing toes.

Substrate: Paper towels are recommended as the easiest and healthiest for your leopard gecko. For a more aesthetically pleasing look flat stones (e.g., ceramic tile) could also be used.

Temperature:
The leopard gecko needs a range of temperature from room temperature (preferably 73°F) to 88-90°F. To create a hot side for your gecko, an undertank heating pad or tape should be used. To regulate temperature, a thermometer with a probe should be used with a thermostat to ensure the temperature is accurate (a basic light dimmer can be used in lieu of a thermostat, if necessary). Stay away from heat rocks and/or basking lamps as these are not basking animals.

Lighting:
It is not necessary to use lighting for your leopard gecko, but can be used for viewing purposes. A simple low-wattage light can be placed overhead on the screen top and can be left on for up to 12 hours. It is not advised to leave the light on without being present. Monitor the internal temperature on the hot side while the light is on to be sure it does not exceed 90°F.

Diet:
Gut loaded Mealworms or Crickets, dusted with a Calcium + Vitamin D supplement. Feed them approximately 6-10 mealworms/crickets three to four times a week. You can also treat your pet to waxworms or superworms, but no more than once a week, as these foods are “treats” and have a high fat content.

Water:
A shallow dish of water should be available at all times. Filtered or purified water is prefered, and vitamin drops should NOT be added to the water.