Introduction: How to Care for a "Leopard Gecko"
Hi, this is my first instructable, and it is my entry for the pets challenge. The pictures i took with my phone were not great so some are off of google image. Anyways, heres some background information
The Leopard Gecko, or eublepharis macularius, is a small, easy-to care for pet. "Eublepharis macularius" roughly translates as
eublepharis; True/real eyelids
macularius; spotted
Unlike other geckos, the leopard gecko (And relatives) have moveable eyelids, and lack the special toe pads to climb up vertical places.. instead, they have small claws.
The Leopard Gecko, or eublepharis macularius, is a small, easy-to care for pet. "Eublepharis macularius" roughly translates as
eublepharis; True/real eyelids
macularius; spotted
Unlike other geckos, the leopard gecko (And relatives) have moveable eyelids, and lack the special toe pads to climb up vertical places.. instead, they have small claws.
Step 1: How to Create a Good Home.
To give a leopard gecko a good home, you first will need a few things.
Depending On How Many Geckos....
1 Gecko - 10 Gallon Tank
2 Geckos - 15 Gallon Tank
3 Geckos - 20 Gallon Tank
Never, put 2 males in one tank, they will fight and could end up dyeing
Ground material (Sand, moss, wood chips) enough to cover the bottom with a few layers and have extra
Rocks & Hiding places - Leopard Geckos are Nocturnal. That means they sleep during the day and are awake at night.
Food dish & water dish
A Small in-tank thermometer - geckos need to constantly be at 85/90 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and can go into the low seventies at night.
A lamp with a heat bulb - Ceramic bulb, heating pads, incandescent lights (During the day only), etc. Do NOT USE A HOT ROCK, your pet will develop heat spots, and could die if it basks on it and falls asleep.
Depending On How Many Geckos....
1 Gecko - 10 Gallon Tank
2 Geckos - 15 Gallon Tank
3 Geckos - 20 Gallon Tank
Never, put 2 males in one tank, they will fight and could end up dyeing
Ground material (Sand, moss, wood chips) enough to cover the bottom with a few layers and have extra
Rocks & Hiding places - Leopard Geckos are Nocturnal. That means they sleep during the day and are awake at night.
Food dish & water dish
A Small in-tank thermometer - geckos need to constantly be at 85/90 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and can go into the low seventies at night.
A lamp with a heat bulb - Ceramic bulb, heating pads, incandescent lights (During the day only), etc. Do NOT USE A HOT ROCK, your pet will develop heat spots, and could die if it basks on it and falls asleep.
Step 2: Feeding
Leopard geckos are carnivores, which means they eat meat.
They mainly eat;
LIVE Meal worms
LIVE Crickets
LIVE Grasshoppers
and some other insects.
Don't get these insects from your outdoors, they could contain disease, could be poisonous, could be nearly extinct?
They mainly eat;
LIVE Meal worms
LIVE Crickets
LIVE Grasshoppers
and some other insects.
Don't get these insects from your outdoors, they could contain disease, could be poisonous, could be nearly extinct?
Step 3: Male/Female and Hatchlings
Though very little difference, you can tell the difference between a male and female leopard gecko.
The male appears to have a broader head and neck than the female and their body is usually larger. However, looking at their undersides, adult males have a prominent V-shaped row of pre-anal pores while the pre-anal pores of the female are not as noticeable.
If you find an egg in the tank/insert where your gecko is here, you will need to do a few things.
1. get another cage to separate the male from the female & her egg(s) with all of the usual stuff i have previously stated in step 1. Although, i wouldn't put crickets in their, use something like meal worms or a food that wont move towards the egg as much.
2. Incubate the egg. An egg will incubate at 79 - 83 degrees Fahrenheit
The male appears to have a broader head and neck than the female and their body is usually larger. However, looking at their undersides, adult males have a prominent V-shaped row of pre-anal pores while the pre-anal pores of the female are not as noticeable.
If you find an egg in the tank/insert where your gecko is here, you will need to do a few things.
1. get another cage to separate the male from the female & her egg(s) with all of the usual stuff i have previously stated in step 1. Although, i wouldn't put crickets in their, use something like meal worms or a food that wont move towards the egg as much.
2. Incubate the egg. An egg will incubate at 79 - 83 degrees Fahrenheit
