On this page, you'll find everything you need to know about caring for your new leopard gecko. To keep your pet healthy and happy, it's important to make sure their set-up mimics their natural habitat as closely as possible.
Watch our video on how to care for your leopard gecko below.
All about leopard geckos
A leopard gecko can grow to around 15 to 25 centimetres and live for 10 to 20 years in captivity, so owning one is a big commitment. They prefer to live alone but can become used to being handled if done so carefully.
A healthy gecko has clear, bright eyes and a thick tail. Its belly should only touch the floor when resting.
Read more about handling geckos and monitoring their health in our leopard gecko care sheet.
Setting up a vivarium for your leopard gecko
Your leopard gecko will quickly outgrow a reptile starter kit, so when you're buying new equipment it's better to get a large enclosure from the start.
There are a few essential things your leopard gecko vivarium will need:
- An adult gecko needs a tank at least 60cm long, 40cm high and 30cm deep.
- To ensure bacteria doesn't build up, the tank needs to be easy to clean and well ventilated.
Temperature, heat lamps, UV lights and humidity
Leopard geckos use their environment to regulate their body temperature. That's why it's important to provide a 'thermogradient', with a heat lamp at one end and a cooler area at the other. Use thermostats to regulate the temperatures. You'll also need to remember:
- Basking area: this should remain between 28 and 30 °C during the day, and the cool end 24 to 26 °C.
- At night: turn off the heat lamp, but use a heat mat or ceramic heat lamp to ensure the temperature doesn't dip below 18 °C.
- Dry environment: leopard geckos need a relatively dry environment. Measure the humidity at the cool end of the tank with a hygrometer - it should be between 30 and 40%.
- Ultraviolet light: your gecko will need low levels of ultraviolet light. A twoto five% UVB bulb will provide this, allowing them to make vitamin D inside their body - an essential mineral that allows your gecko to store and use calcium.
Hiding places and flooring
To mimic your leopard gecko's natural environment, you'll need to provide hiding places and low, sturdy branches or rocks for climbing.
The floor covering, known as the substrate, also needs to be natural to minimise the risk of impaction - a potentially fatal issue where particles become lodged inside your gecko's belly and cause a blockage. Never use 'caci-sand' or beech wood chips, as your leopard gecko can't safely eat these.
What do leopard geckos eat, and when?
Leopard geckos eat a diet of live insects, which can include crickets, 'calci worms', waxworms and small locusts (no bigger than the size of your gecko's head). You'll also need to provide fresh vegetables and clean water to keep these insects hydrated.
You should feed young geckos every day and adults every other day. You'll need to top up your gecko's nutrients with supplements, too. Ask your vet for advice on the best ones to give your pet.
FAQs
Leopard geckos are small reptiles that are relatively easy to care for . They can reach an adult size of 5–10 inches, and can live 10–15 years with good health care, a clean environment, and proper feeding.
Do leopard geckos like to be held? ›
They prefer to live alone but can become used to being handled if done so carefully. A healthy gecko has clear, bright eyes and a thick tail.
What does a leopard gecko need in its tank? ›
The important things you need are: an under tank heating pad, a probe thermometer, at least two hiding places, a water dish, a small dish for calcium, and some reptile carpeting or something similar. On the last point, some perfer tile and paper towels or excavator clay.
How do you take care of a gecko for beginners? ›
Care requirements will vary some from species to species but for the most part, geckos need to be kept in enclosures that have branches available for climbing, a water bowl, a hiding place, and secure lids. Geckos can escape through small holes so an aquarium with a tight fitting lid is recommended for housing geckos.
Can I hold my leopard gecko every day? ›
Know how often you should handle and play with your leo.
Every gecko is different, but most people recommend for the best taming result to handle them at the least 15 minutes every day once they wake up.
Do geckos need a heat lamp? ›
Do Leopard Geckos Need A Heat Lamp? Leopard Geckos require a heat source to properly digest their food. While an overhead heat source is the most natural method of heating your Leopard Gecko's terrarium, an under-tank heat mat on a thermostat may also be used.
Do leopard geckos like to be sprayed with water? ›
Leopard geckos need regular misting of their enclosure to maintain adequate humidity levels and to allow them to drink water the way that works best for them. Some leopard geckos may become stressed by being sprayed with water directly. It's best to focus on misting your leopard gecko's enclosure to meet their needs.
Do leopard geckos bite? ›
While their bites are unlikely to cause serious damage, they can be painful. So, while leopard geckos may not be traditionally “venomous,” they can still pose a risk to humans if handled improperly. For this reason, handling your leopard gecko with your bare hands isn't wise.
What not to do with a leopard gecko? ›
Leopard geckos are generally friendly, however, excessive handling can be stressful to young geckos. We recommend only handling leopard geckos after than are 5-6 inches in total length. NEVER grab or hold the gecko's tail, or it might be dropped.
Do you have to bathe leopard geckos? ›
Leopard geckos rarely need to be bathed. In fact, over-bathing your gecko can dry out its skin and cause disease. You should only bathe your gecko if it is having difficulties shedding or a veterinarian instructs you to wash it. You can also wash your gecko if it is noticeably dirty.
Leopard geckos are not active during the day in nature, and so are not dependent on UVB. Because of this they are also not dependent on basking. So no basking light. A heat mat is perfect, as it mimics their natural environment when they head out at dusk to hunt and lay on hot rocks warmed by the sun all day.
Can you leave crickets in a leopard gecko cage? ›
While crickets cannot seriously harm your leopard gecko, they can spread pathogens or start biting your lizard, which can cause an injury and potentially an infection. Be sure to monitor your leopard gecko's eating habits and feed it as many crickets as it can eat and remove the leftovers after that.
What to know before buying a leopard gecko? ›
Leopard geckos originate from semi-arid deserts, so naturally, they love a warm, dry environment. But they also need a hiding place that's moist—this is where they retreat to when it's time to shed their skin. Multiple leopard geckos may be kept in a size-appropriate terrarium—but only one should be male.
What is the easiest gecko to keep? ›
1. Leopard Gecko. A leopard gecko is a hardy and peaceful pet that is ideal for beginners. These spotted geckos are quiet and easy to care for, making them ideal household pets.
Can I soak my gecko in water? ›
Water Recommendations for Leopard Geckos
Offer fresh water daily in a water dish large enough for the lizard to soak its entire body in. Additional soaks in shallow warm water for 15-20 minutes 2-3 times a week are helpful, especially during a shed.
Is a leopard gecko high maintenance? ›
Leopard geckos, affectionately called leos, are generally easy to care for. They do not require a lot of cage maintenance, but you should still give their environment a lot of attention. Leopard geckos are mostly nocturnal, ground-dwelling geckos that are generally docile and easy to tame.
What is the lowest maintenance gecko? ›
Crested Geckos
Crested geckos are low-maintenance pets well suited for both novice lizard owners and homes with children. They can grow up to 7 to 9 inches on average. This makes them suitable for small places, such as apartments. A 20-gallon terrarium is usually sufficient for these critters.
What is the easiest gecko to care for? ›
A leopard gecko is a hardy and peaceful pet that is ideal for beginners. These spotted geckos are quiet and easy to care for, making them ideal household pets.
