Chapter 1 of 9 · Leopard Gecko Care Guide
Start Here: Is a Leopard Gecko Right for You?
Disclaimer: I'm not a veterinarian and I don't hold a degree in animal science or animal care. This guide is compiled from the published sources listed in every chapter. For a sick animal, a reptile vet is the authority.
The short version
- Leopard geckos are small, ground-dwelling lizards that grow to 6.5–8 in (16.5–20 cm) [1] and usually live 15–20 years [2].
- Plan on a 36 x 18 x 18 in (90 x 45 x 45 cm) enclosure at minimum [46], with three hides and overhead heat on a thermostat [3].
- They eat insects only, and every feeding gets a dusting of calcium [6].
- Keep one gecko per enclosure. Housing them together causes bites, dropped tails and broken bones [2].
- Two morphs carry serious, built-in health problems: Enigma and Lemon Frost [10][11].
Is this the right pet for you?
Leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) come from semi-desert and dry grassland in Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Nepal [1][2]. They are most active at dusk, dawn and night, live on the ground, and, unlike most geckos, have real eyelids and no sticky toe pads, so they cannot climb glass [2].
They are one of the easiest lizards to keep well, but they are a long commitment. Fifteen to twenty years is the usual lifespan in captivity [2], and the veterinary reference gives 25–30 years [1].
A leopard gecko is a good fit if you:
- Want a quiet pet that is fun to watch in the evening and tolerates short, gentle handling.
- Are comfortable keeping live insects at home.
- Have room for a 3 ft (90 cm) enclosure or larger.
- Can find a reptile vet before you need one.
It may not be the right pet if you want a cuddly animal. Leopard geckos tolerate handling well once settled, but they do not seek it out. Think of them as a watch-and-sometimes-hold pet.
Think twice, too, if anyone in the home is under 5, 65 or older, or has a weakened immune system. Reptiles can carry Salmonella even when healthy. Wash your hands with soap and water after touching your leopard gecko, its enclosure or anything in it. The CDC says children under 5 should not touch reptiles, and reptiles are not recommended for homes with children under 5, adults 65 and older, or people with weakened immune systems [13]. The Health chapter covers simple hygiene.
Quick facts
| Item | Target |
|---|---|
| Adult size | 6.5–8 in (16.5–20 cm) nose to tail tip; males 60–90 g, females as light as 45 g [1] |
| Lifespan | 15–20 years usual [2]; up to 25–30 years per the veterinary reference [1] |
| Maturity | 9–18 months [1] |
| Enclosure | 36 x 18 x 18 in (90 x 45 x 45 cm) minimum [46]; 48 x 24 x 16 in (120 x 60 x 40 cm) preferred [2] |
| Basking surface | 94–97°F (34–36°C) [2][3] |
| Warm hide | 90–92°F (32–33°C) [2][3] |
| Cool side | 70–77°F (21–25°C) [2] |
| Night | Can fall to the low 70s°F (low 20s°C); 60°F (16°C) is tolerated [1][2] |
| Heat | Overhead halogen or deep heat projector on a dimming thermostat; a heat mat under the warm hide only as backup; never a heat rock [2][3][4] |
| UVB | Optional but helpful: a lower-strength (5–6%) T5 tube, with your gecko no closer than 10 in (25 cm), 12–14 hours a day [2][3][5] |
| Humidity | 30–40% in the room air (LafeberVet gives 40–60%), plus a humid hide at 70–80% [1][2] |
| Substrate | Paper towel or a solid mat at first; an arid soil mix for healthy adults; never calcium sand, gravel or walnut shell [2][7] |
| Water | A shallow dish, always available [6] |
Feeding at a glance
Leopard geckos eat insects only. Babies eat daily, young adults every 2–3 days, and adults (tail thicker than the neck) every 5 days. Offer about two insects per inch of body length, or what your gecko eats in 15 minutes [2][6].
Dust every feeding with calcium: without D3 if you use UVB, with D3 if you do not. Add a multivitamin that contains real vitamin A (retinol) [6]. The Feeding chapter has the full schedule.
Signs to watch for
See a reptile vet if you notice a thinning tail ("stick tail"), throwing up food, weight loss, a soft jaw or bowed legs, straining or no stool, stuck shed on the toes, swollen or closed eyes, or lethargy [7][12].