General Information
The leopard gecko is one of the most popular pet reptiles in the industry today. It’s simple requirements in both habitat and maintenance, beautiful color variations and toleration to handling is what draws people in.  Most leopard geckos grow to be 6-10” in length and can live upwards of 20 years in captivity with proper care.

 Heating & Light
As a nocturnal species of gecko, they do not require the exposure to UVB lighting. Having it won’t hurt them, but leopard geckos tend to hide during the daylight hours. Heating is usually necessary to keep them in good health, requiring a hot spot of 85-90 degrees F, and a cooler end to retreat to at room temperature.  DO NOT place enclosure in direct sunlight as it will overheat.

Feeding & Diet
Leopard geckos require live food items and will eat a number of insects in their varied diet. We recommend mealworms, as they are easy to Gutload to pass on vital nutrients to your pet. They are easily kept and inexpensive.  We leave our mealworms in shallow dishes on a regular basis, dusting twice weekly with calcium &D3, once weekly with a high quality multivitamin supplement.  Both our hatchlings and adults eat mealworms; it is suitable to feed them every 2-3 days, making sure they have access to clean water daily.

Housing
For one leopard gecko, a 10gallon aquarium is acceptable. Hatchlings can be kept in smaller enclosures, making sure it is easy for them to locate their food. We recommend a 15-20 gallon enclosure for 2 or 3 leopards if housing together. If you plan on keeping multiple animals and find you are short on space, a rack-style system is more than sufficient to house your pets (more information available upon request). The sky’s the limit when designing your pet’s home to your personal style. They will need preferably 2 hides, one being a place they can retreat to for shedding/egg laying purposes referred to as a moist hide. A plastic container with an access hole cut in the side or top,  filled with vermiculite/coco fiber and misted to keep damp is all it really needs to be, but there are hides designed specifically for this available where your purchase your reptile supplies.  Desert plants and such can be used to decorate.  If you prefer sand to paper towels for substrate, we recommend calci-sand. It creates very little dust and reduces the chance of impaction.

First Aid:
Rarely does this happen, but you must be aware in case your leopard gecko gets sick. They do not have many health problems on their own, but can develop parasites through cross contamination or eating a food item that has ingested feces. Mites or ticks can also be transferred from other reptiles to your pet.  Signs would be rapid loss of weight or a slow decline in activity, weakness and lack of appetite. It is wise to locate a Veterinarian who has experience working with reptiles before this ever becomes an issue.
Metabolic Bone Disease is a cause for problem, and can be avoided with proper calcium with D3 supplementation.  In the early stages, the leg bones will appear warped and soft and the joints will begin to bulge. This is easily reversible with a higher dose of calcium, preferably liquid calcium such as Bone Aid. Dose according to the directions and in even days you will notice improvement.
Tail loss is something many gecko owners will encounter. It’s a natural defence mechanism used by many geckos and lizards in the wild. If the tail is caught, bit off or pulled, your gecko will naturally release it to “lure the predator away, or distract them” as the gecko attempts escape. The blood vessels close almost immediately so there is very little blood loss. Little medical attention is needed, simply keep the wound clean and the animal on a paper substrate until there is no longer a risk of infection. It will help to apply a healing agent such as Polysporin Ointment with a q-tip to the site every few days. You may rinse it with saline solution if the wound has dirt or sand in it. The tail will begin to regenerate, but not as aesthetically pleasing compared to the original. (Sometimes a gecko will retain shed pieces on its tail tip or toes. If allowed to remain, the skin will constrict and cut off blood flow to that area. The tip will eventually die and fall off. This is why inspecting your gecko after it sheds is of utmost importance).

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