Leopard gecko's care sheet

**Reptile Gem** Sat Jan 12, 2013 5:33 pm

LEOPARD GECKO CARE SHEET ..

Leopard geckos are considered one of the easiest lizards to keep and make great pets for older children and adults.

HOUSING ...
A 10 -15 gallon vivarium will do 2 hatchling's to adult size.Larger tank's tend to cause the gecko to stray from the heat. As they get to adult then you might decide to go for a larger viv.

HEATING AND LIGHTING ...
The best form of heating is either a heatmat or heat tape making sure the viv is heated at one end so the gecko has a hot end and a cool end.
Please do not use heat rock's as they can be harmful and may even burn your gecko.
For viewing your gecko a low wattage light can be used but it it not necessary.
As gecko's are only active at night they do not need to have uv lighting.
The ideal temperture of the hot end should be 86-90 degree's and the cool end should not get below 73 degree's.

Substrate ...
For a baby gecko up until a year old it is better to keep them on kitchen roll,newspaper or lino as they might consume most other substrate's and end up with intestinal inpactation.
For older gecko's there are various other substrate's.

WATER ...
A shallow dish of fresh water should be left in the viv at all time's making sure the the dish is a stable dish that won't tip up.

FOOD ...
Gecko's do not eat veg or plant's so live food is really a must.
The best live food's to use for your gecko's is mealworm's,cricket's and locust's.
Some peple as the gecko's get older also give them roache's and waxworm's.
Waworm's are better as a treat only as they are very fatty for the gecko's.
Before giving you gecko's there food please make sure they have been gutloaded for at least 12 hour's before hand as it is very important for your gecko.

LIFE SPAN ...You can expect your gecko to live at least 6-10 year's but many male's live 10 -20 year's but there is one male that is owned by Ron Tremper in the usa that is still breeding at 30 year's old.

NEVER ...
Grab a gecko by the tail as it can drop off,they will regrow another but it is never the same.
Put a male in with another male as this can lead to fighting to the death.