THE BASIC CARE OF LEOPARD GECKOS

Common Names: Leopard Gecko
Latin Name: Eublepharis macularius
Origin: Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India
Adult Size: 8- 9 inches
Day Time Temperature: 32C Hot Spot
Night Time Temperature: 23C
Food Requirements: Insects eg: Crickets, mealworms, waxworms
Experience: Easy

Introduction
Leopard geckos are easily handled, calm, and never try to bite, making them one of the best species of lizards to be kept as pets. They are available in several different colour and pattern morphs. ( see side panel )

Housing
The cage should be small enough for the gecko to be able find it's food, as a general rule when housing gecko's together is one square foot of floor space for each occupant.

NEVER HOUSE TWO MALES TOGETHER BECAUSE THEY WILL FIGHT TO THE DEATH.

Geckos should have plenty of hiding places and at least one wet box eg: A container filled with damp sphagnum moss, this helps with shedding and also gives the females some where to deposit there eggs.

The substrate can be anything you want it to be, newspaper or paper towels are probably best for hatchlings, Sand is a good choice for adults, Don't use sand for Leopard Geckos that are under six months of age, because they are more likely to ingest it and block their intestines than older Leopard Geckos. Whatever substrate you use spot clean regularly and completely replace periodically. A shallow water dish should be provided at all times and changed daily to stop bacteria and fungus growth

Heating
28C in the cool end and about 32C at the hot end for the daytime. A night time drop to 23C if lighting is used this should be switched off at night.Cage can be heated by many forms either bulb or heatmat or a combination of both but always make sure that a good reliable thermostat is used to control the temperature.

Diet
Baby Leopard Gecko should be fed a variety of live foods like micro crickets, mealworms, and occasionally waxworms. Hatchlings should be fed daily. Adults can be fed appropriately sized insects like crickets, locusts, grasshoppers, mealworms, and an occasional waxworm or pinky mouse every other day.

Food should be supplemented with a calcium supplement and a multi vitamin.