Leopard geckos make an ideal beginner reptile, as they require minimal care to maintain. In this article we’ll go over some basic feeding and habitat requirements of this friendly creature.
Leopard geckos are insectivorous animals and require live insects as part of their daily diet. You should feed no larger than their distance between their eyes when providing feed, and sprinkle both a calcium supplement and multivitamin every time they’re fed.
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Diet
Leopard gecko nutrition is vitally important to their wellbeing, with drastic weight gains or losses often indicative of inadequate feeder insect nutritional content, feeding frequency or environmental conditions.
Leopard geckos are insectivores, so only insects should be fed to them. Aim to provide two appropriately-sized insects per inch of length of your animal.
Feeder insects for geckos should include both frozen and live feeder insects dusted with vitamin powder for maximum benefit. It is important that they provide your gecko with access to various vitamins and minerals that they require for good health.
Dubia roaches are a great feeder insect for leopard geckos. Easy to care for and low in fat content, this feeder insect provides your gecko with essential calcium sources. Meat should always be avoided as its species may carry salmonella and parasites that could pose threats.
Habitat
Leopard geckos are ground-dwelling lizards native to desert regions and dry grasslands, so when creating their home in captivity you should try and recreate as closely their natural environment as possible – including providing adequate tank size, substrate type, temperature settings, hiding places and access to food and water sources.
Leopard geckos in the wild prefer hiding out of direct sunlight during the day in crevices or other concealed spaces, while in captivity you can provide similar shelter by placing rocks and sturdy driftwood pieces within their terrariums. Plants may be added, though ensure they are nonpoisonous before providing for leopard gecko consumption.
Leopard geckos don’t require much water, but you should provide them with a shallow dish for them to drink from and lick at will. Make sure it remains misted regularly so the gecko stays moist; in case it becomes dehydrated, try dabbing some insect guts mixed with calcium and vitamin powder directly on their nose; they’ll quickly lick off this treat while taking in vital nutrients!
Water
Leopard geckos need water to meet their moisture needs, particularly during sheding season. Therefore, it’s advisable to have water readily available within their terrarium so they can drink anytime they wish – misting is another great way of encouraging them to drink regularly!
Geckos benefit greatly from having access to fresh water in their enclosure for both bathing and hydrating. Be careful when providing too much hot water as this could quickly dehydrate them and send them into shock.
Reptile carpet and crushed gravel are safe choices that can be cleaned easily using damp paper toweling, while rocks, branches and plants may add enrichment and humidity. Two hide boxes should also be provided; one could contain moist sphagnum moss or flat stones for additional humidity control.
Your Leopard Gecko needs to get rid of waste regularly to stay healthy, as well as any impediments such as egg binding or impaction that might arise. A warm water soak may also provide relief.
Supplements
Leopard geckos require a varied diet of insects in order to receive all the required nutrients, such as T-Rex calcium plus bug food or Mazuri Hi-Ca cricket diet, in order to achieve balance in their nutrition intake. You can provide these treats as snacks directly or use their habitat as an “inoculation station” as part of an integrated feeding station program to maintain proper balance.
Before feeding feeder insects to your gecko, dust them with an excellent multivitamin powder such as Zoo Med’s ReptiVite for added calcium/phosphorous balance as well as essential vitamins and minerals that your leo needs. You can purchase it either at your local pet store or online.
Provide your leopard gecko with a dish of pure calcium to aid with bone development and prevent Metabolic Bone Disease. He or she can lick it directly off of the dish for maximum effect!
