Here's a step-by-step video on how to breed crickets. Crickets are great leopard gecko food and it's cheaper and easier to breed them yourself.
Here's some additional tips for breeding crickets as reptile pet food:
1. Get silent crickets if you want to avoid that constantly chirping noise
2. Sprinkle your crickets with extra cricket nutritional diet powder. The healthier your cricket, the healthier the food it makes for your leopard gecko. You can feed them with dog food too
All about leopard geckos
A BACKGROUND INTO LEOPARD GECKOS
Leopard geckos are one of the most early and primitive forms of gecko. They belong to the Eubleparidae subfamily. This means that that they are terrestrial animals i.e. they live on the ground rather than in trees or in houses.
One of their most recognized characteristics is their moveable eyelids. Notice how the lower lid moves up, instead of both lids moving, or the upper lid moving down. That gives their eyes their popular hypnotic quality.
They originated from parts of Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and Pakistan, even reaching into the north-west part of India. The conditions can be harsh in these areas, with a lot of wind, including fierce whirlwinds, intense heat and lack of water.
Because of the fierce heat and conditions in their native habitat, leopard geckos are used to sleeping mostly in the day to avoid the heat, and sheltering under rocks, stones or ledges.
They like to eat small insects and worms. Of course these days you can buy food for them, even frozen mealworms and such like.
How did leopard geckos get their name? I've written an amusing post about that. Have a search on this blog for def leppard!
Hope this gives you a starter introduction to these wonderful reptile pets. Although leopard geckos may not strike you as the most obvious pet to have at first glance, I think it's easy to start to fall for their striking looks and vibrant personalities. Leopard gecko care is relatively easy too compared to bigger, hungrier and more needy reptile pets so it's a good first choice for a child or as a first pet.
To your gecko success!
GGG
Leopard geckos are one of the most early and primitive forms of gecko. They belong to the Eubleparidae subfamily. This means that that they are terrestrial animals i.e. they live on the ground rather than in trees or in houses.
One of their most recognized characteristics is their moveable eyelids. Notice how the lower lid moves up, instead of both lids moving, or the upper lid moving down. That gives their eyes their popular hypnotic quality.
They originated from parts of Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and Pakistan, even reaching into the north-west part of India. The conditions can be harsh in these areas, with a lot of wind, including fierce whirlwinds, intense heat and lack of water.
Because of the fierce heat and conditions in their native habitat, leopard geckos are used to sleeping mostly in the day to avoid the heat, and sheltering under rocks, stones or ledges.
They like to eat small insects and worms. Of course these days you can buy food for them, even frozen mealworms and such like.
How did leopard geckos get their name? I've written an amusing post about that. Have a search on this blog for def leppard!
Hope this gives you a starter introduction to these wonderful reptile pets. Although leopard geckos may not strike you as the most obvious pet to have at first glance, I think it's easy to start to fall for their striking looks and vibrant personalities. Leopard gecko care is relatively easy too compared to bigger, hungrier and more needy reptile pets so it's a good first choice for a child or as a first pet.
To your gecko success!
GGG
Leopard gecko breeding
Reproduction of a Leopard Gecko
Leopard Geckos become sexually mature at the age of 10 to 15 months. Male Leopard Geckos are generally more larger and broader (bulkier) as opposed to female Leopard Geckos, Male Leopard Geckos also possess a V-shaped row of pre-anal pores in front of their cloacal that are distinguishably much darker and more prominent than a female, and a noticeable bulge at the base of its tail caused by the hemipenis. Also males are often more boldly colored than females, but this is not always true.
Leopard Geckos breeding period is from March through September, though it is common that the season may start as early as January and finish as late as October. When a male encounters a female, the male Gecko will shake its tail. While as a response, the female Gecko will silently sway its tail from side to side in the ground. Following this action, the male Gecko will lick the female Gecko to obtain its scent and will begin biting the female Gecko from its lower body upwards. If the female Gecko does not wish to mate with a certain male Gecko, she will bite back and the male Gecko will cease his activity. If the female Gecko accepts on the other hand, the male Gecko will continue up to her neck, making his body parallel to the female Gecko and placing his hind leg over her tail, inserting one of his hemipenis into her cloaca.
Thirty days after that, the female Gecko will lay one or more eggs with a leathery shell. Clutches of two eggs will then be laid every two weeks to monthly throughout the rest of the mating season varying from each Gecko according to their age, with older females gradually laying lesser eggs with each year. The eggs will need to be incubated.
Like other egg-laying reptiles the sex of Leopard Geckos are determined by incubation temperature. Eggs incubated at 79 °F which will result in a majority of female neonates, whereas eggs incubated at 85-87 °F which will result in a more even sex ratio and eggs incubated at 89-90 °F in the first four weeks will then result in more males. Females hatched from these eggs are generally more belligerent as opposed to other females, and they tend to reach sexual maturity later if at all. An incubation temperature lower than 77 °F or higher than 97 °F will usually cause deformities and usually death of the neonates incubated at these temperatures.
Leopard Geckos become sexually mature at the age of 10 to 15 months. Male Leopard Geckos are generally more larger and broader (bulkier) as opposed to female Leopard Geckos, Male Leopard Geckos also possess a V-shaped row of pre-anal pores in front of their cloacal that are distinguishably much darker and more prominent than a female, and a noticeable bulge at the base of its tail caused by the hemipenis. Also males are often more boldly colored than females, but this is not always true.
Leopard Geckos breeding period is from March through September, though it is common that the season may start as early as January and finish as late as October. When a male encounters a female, the male Gecko will shake its tail. While as a response, the female Gecko will silently sway its tail from side to side in the ground. Following this action, the male Gecko will lick the female Gecko to obtain its scent and will begin biting the female Gecko from its lower body upwards. If the female Gecko does not wish to mate with a certain male Gecko, she will bite back and the male Gecko will cease his activity. If the female Gecko accepts on the other hand, the male Gecko will continue up to her neck, making his body parallel to the female Gecko and placing his hind leg over her tail, inserting one of his hemipenis into her cloaca.
Thirty days after that, the female Gecko will lay one or more eggs with a leathery shell. Clutches of two eggs will then be laid every two weeks to monthly throughout the rest of the mating season varying from each Gecko according to their age, with older females gradually laying lesser eggs with each year. The eggs will need to be incubated.
Like other egg-laying reptiles the sex of Leopard Geckos are determined by incubation temperature. Eggs incubated at 79 °F which will result in a majority of female neonates, whereas eggs incubated at 85-87 °F which will result in a more even sex ratio and eggs incubated at 89-90 °F in the first four weeks will then result in more males. Females hatched from these eggs are generally more belligerent as opposed to other females, and they tend to reach sexual maturity later if at all. An incubation temperature lower than 77 °F or higher than 97 °F will usually cause deformities and usually death of the neonates incubated at these temperatures.
Albino leopard geckos
Albino leopard geckos are hugely popular.
Leopard geckos are usually cream or yellow with black spots similar to those of a leopard (hence the name). But due to color morphing and selective breeding, there are now lots of differently colored leopard lizards.
Albino leopard geckos are a popular variation of leopard gecko. They lack the color pigmentation called melanin. Melanin is a dark brown to black pigment and the primary reason leopard geckos have that traditional black color in their appearance.
Morphing in the wild is rare but selective and cross breeding of leos mostly in the late 1990s have produced some popular albino tapes like the Rainwater Albino (imported by Tim Rainwater), the Tremper Albino (founded by Ron Tremper), and the Bell Albino (founded by Mark Bell and fast gaining in popularity).
It's well worth researching into the various breeds, morphs and colors of the leopard gecko before you purchase one. Don't rush the process, take your time to study them and see what suits you.
Morph on!
GGG
Leopard geckos are usually cream or yellow with black spots similar to those of a leopard (hence the name). But due to color morphing and selective breeding, there are now lots of differently colored leopard lizards.
Albino leopard geckos are a popular variation of leopard gecko. They lack the color pigmentation called melanin. Melanin is a dark brown to black pigment and the primary reason leopard geckos have that traditional black color in their appearance.
Morphing in the wild is rare but selective and cross breeding of leos mostly in the late 1990s have produced some popular albino tapes like the Rainwater Albino (imported by Tim Rainwater), the Tremper Albino (founded by Ron Tremper), and the Bell Albino (founded by Mark Bell and fast gaining in popularity).
It's well worth researching into the various breeds, morphs and colors of the leopard gecko before you purchase one. Don't rush the process, take your time to study them and see what suits you.
Morph on!
GGG
How often can or should you take your leopard gecko out?
I know some gecko pet owners take their little gecko pets out all the time so I guess it depends on the particular personality (and hardiness) of your little reptile pet.
Some leopard geckos love to chill out on the stomach on their owners, watching Friends re-runs. Other prefer the warmth and comfort in the hood of a hoodie.
The general advice is to let newbie leopard geckos settle a bit first and then you might be able to expand their time out of the cage. After that, maybe 3-4 times a week you can let them out. You'll have to let them out any way about once a week to clean their cage / vivarium / terrarium (otherwise known as home!)
Always be responsive and aware of your lizard's state...if they are freaking out or looking stressed in any way, return them to the terrarium. Sometimes, there's just no place like home :-)
Here's to your leopard gecko...homeboy or party boy!!
Some leopard geckos love to chill out on the stomach on their owners, watching Friends re-runs. Other prefer the warmth and comfort in the hood of a hoodie.
The general advice is to let newbie leopard geckos settle a bit first and then you might be able to expand their time out of the cage. After that, maybe 3-4 times a week you can let them out. You'll have to let them out any way about once a week to clean their cage / vivarium / terrarium (otherwise known as home!)
Always be responsive and aware of your lizard's state...if they are freaking out or looking stressed in any way, return them to the terrarium. Sometimes, there's just no place like home :-)
Here's to your leopard gecko...homeboy or party boy!!
Leopard geckos ~ my favorite color morphs!
My tastes in leopard gecko colors and morphs have changed somewhat over the years, but here's my current fave list:
1. Rainbow morphs
Not so common and totally cool, these have two or more different patterning and colors on their body. I have to confess that I've never seen one in real life, only in photos
2. Bold stripes
As the name suggests: deep, colorful stripes...most likely reddish or brown.
3. Super hypo tangerines
Orange is one of my favorite colors. Who doesn't like orange?! It's bold, vibrant and reminds me of health and happiness and Vitamin C.
4. Tremper Albino Mack Snow
I'm funny when it comes to albinos and more colorless leopard geckos. I used to prefer the vibrantly colored leos anytime of day, then I went into a muted, all-white phase (in the nineties ironically when all I wore was black!) and then I went back to highly colored ones again. But I've always maintained a soft spot for the snows more than any other low colored variety.
5. Carrot tailed leopard geckos. I guess this goes back to my love of orange. It's an unfailingly happy color.
What's your favorite leopard gecko morph and why? Feel free to write and let us know!
1. Rainbow morphs
Not so common and totally cool, these have two or more different patterning and colors on their body. I have to confess that I've never seen one in real life, only in photos
2. Bold stripes
As the name suggests: deep, colorful stripes...most likely reddish or brown.
3. Super hypo tangerines
Orange is one of my favorite colors. Who doesn't like orange?! It's bold, vibrant and reminds me of health and happiness and Vitamin C.
4. Tremper Albino Mack Snow
I'm funny when it comes to albinos and more colorless leopard geckos. I used to prefer the vibrantly colored leos anytime of day, then I went into a muted, all-white phase (in the nineties ironically when all I wore was black!) and then I went back to highly colored ones again. But I've always maintained a soft spot for the snows more than any other low colored variety.
5. Carrot tailed leopard geckos. I guess this goes back to my love of orange. It's an unfailingly happy color.
What's your favorite leopard gecko morph and why? Feel free to write and let us know!
Leopard Gecko Care | Care for a sick leopard gecko
Why are they called leopard geckos in the first place
Leopard geckos are so-called because their normal coloring is a yellow base with black spots and splotches on the body and a white underside. They are not related to the leopard in any way, it's just their patterning and coloring.
With breeding there are now tons of different colors and patterns available. The fact that there are a beautiful variety of colors and breeds available is one of the key reason for these gecko pets' popularity.
And no, they're definitely not called leopard geckos because
~ they hunt and eat humans!
~ they are seven times stronger than human beings
~ after the 80's hair band, Def Leppard
~ after Apple Mac's Snow Leopard software
~ they featured in the the Jungle book
Spottily yours until the next post
GGG
With breeding there are now tons of different colors and patterns available. The fact that there are a beautiful variety of colors and breeds available is one of the key reason for these gecko pets' popularity.
And no, they're definitely not called leopard geckos because
~ they hunt and eat humans!
~ they are seven times stronger than human beings
~ after the 80's hair band, Def Leppard
~ after Apple Mac's Snow Leopard software
~ they featured in the the Jungle book
Spottily yours until the next post
GGG
Leopard geckos diet and longevity
A Leopard Geckos Diet and Longevity
You can feed your Leopard Geckos a staple diet that is consisted of insects (crickets, mealworms, grasshoppers and any viable insect that is not as bigger as the actual width of the geckos head). The Insects that you are going to feed your Gecko, should be cleaned and dusted with vitamin and calcium supplements every other feeding for adults and every feeding for growing babies and juvies. Adult Leopard Geckos should be fed every 2 to 3 days, while babies and juvies should be fed on a daily basis. Wax worms and pinkies (these are baby mice without fur) are very fattening for your Gecko, and thus should be rarely offered to your Geckos to avoid obesity, and/or fatty liver disease. Pinkie mice are usually only offered to females in preparation for their breeding, as they need a higher body weight to produce more and good eggs.
A lot of people believed that Geckos are purely insectivorous, however in their natural environment (the wild) they will eat almost anything that they can over power, this includes mice. Gut loading insects with nutritious grains, seeds, oats, fruits and vegetables is crucial to supplying proper nutrition to your Gecko. Remember never to leave extra insects moving around in your Gecko's vivarium as they can bite your Gecko and may cause them infection.
The oldest recorded Leopard Gecko in captivity is a 25-year-old male who lives at a Zoo. Most Leopard Geckos will live (with proper care) well into their teens. Breeding females will usually live a much shorter life span.
You can feed your Leopard Geckos a staple diet that is consisted of insects (crickets, mealworms, grasshoppers and any viable insect that is not as bigger as the actual width of the geckos head). The Insects that you are going to feed your Gecko, should be cleaned and dusted with vitamin and calcium supplements every other feeding for adults and every feeding for growing babies and juvies. Adult Leopard Geckos should be fed every 2 to 3 days, while babies and juvies should be fed on a daily basis. Wax worms and pinkies (these are baby mice without fur) are very fattening for your Gecko, and thus should be rarely offered to your Geckos to avoid obesity, and/or fatty liver disease. Pinkie mice are usually only offered to females in preparation for their breeding, as they need a higher body weight to produce more and good eggs.
A lot of people believed that Geckos are purely insectivorous, however in their natural environment (the wild) they will eat almost anything that they can over power, this includes mice. Gut loading insects with nutritious grains, seeds, oats, fruits and vegetables is crucial to supplying proper nutrition to your Gecko. Remember never to leave extra insects moving around in your Gecko's vivarium as they can bite your Gecko and may cause them infection.
The oldest recorded Leopard Gecko in captivity is a 25-year-old male who lives at a Zoo. Most Leopard Geckos will live (with proper care) well into their teens. Breeding females will usually live a much shorter life span.
Leopard gecko food | how to breed crickets as food for your leopard gecko and other reptile pets
The video quality isn't great...all handycam and handheld but the audio is good and generally it's worth watching this video on how to breed crickets for reptiles including leopard geckos.
Extra tip: sprinkle cricket diet food onto the cricket which gives them extra nutrition and they will spread the good health to your reptile.
Extra tip: sprinkle cricket diet food onto the cricket which gives them extra nutrition and they will spread the good health to your reptile.
Common terms used in the leopard gecko world | Part One
TERRARIUM
This is a container or enclosure in which either living plants or small animals are kept. It's often transparent (glass or plastic) to let the sun and/or heat in and usually has plants in it, like a mini-garden. Think of an aquarium looking like a water world, and a terrarium looking like a land-based world.
VIVARIUM
Like a terrarium but vivarium contains an animal such as a lizard. In Latin, vivarium literally means 'place of life'. So, in the old days a terrarium might contain just plants whereas a vivarium always contained animals. So an aquarium is a form of vivarium. And a terrarium containing 'life' is a form of vivarium too. Don't worry...the terms can be interchanged when talking about the typical leopard gecko housing.
Here's the wikipedia definition of Vivarium
This is a container or enclosure in which either living plants or small animals are kept. It's often transparent (glass or plastic) to let the sun and/or heat in and usually has plants in it, like a mini-garden. Think of an aquarium looking like a water world, and a terrarium looking like a land-based world.
VIVARIUM
Like a terrarium but vivarium contains an animal such as a lizard. In Latin, vivarium literally means 'place of life'. So, in the old days a terrarium might contain just plants whereas a vivarium always contained animals. So an aquarium is a form of vivarium. And a terrarium containing 'life' is a form of vivarium too. Don't worry...the terms can be interchanged when talking about the typical leopard gecko housing.
Here's the wikipedia definition of Vivarium
Leopard gecko housing : here's a good youtube video
Here's a useful video from youtube which shows you some sample leopard gecko housing
Leopard gecko substrate. What should I put as flooring in my leopard gecko cage?
Question: What Substrate Should I Use for My Leopard Gecko?
Choosing a substrate can be one of the more confusing aspects of setting up a tank for leopard geckos. There is much debate over which substrates are safe, and the best choice depends on the age of your leopard gecko pet as well.
Paper towels, though not as attractive in a terrarium as some other options, are one of the best substrates available. For juveniles and hatchlings (under a year old), paper towels are your best choice in a substrate. Either that or nothing at all. For adults there are more choices but the recommendations can be confusing. Here is a run down of some options you can look at, and some to avoid.
Paper Towels
As mentioned previously, paper towels are one of the best substrates, and are the recommended substrate for juvenile leopard geckos (as well as sickly geckos), but can be used for any leopard gecko. With paper towel substrate, there are no worries about ingestion or inhalation of substrate, and it is absorbent, hygienic, and easy to clean (which reduces the chance of illness). It also makes monitoring health (e.g. eating, bowel movements) easy.
Sand
This is where the debate over substrates gets heated. Sand is considered unsafe by some, due to the risk of ingestion and impaction (either due to accidental ingestion or due to intentional ingestion to meet calcium needs) -- this is a bigger risk for juveniles so sand should never be used with juvenile geckos. Other potential difficulties with sand include dust (which can lead to respiratory problems), and bacterial or mold growth in wet sand. I would say don't house leopard geckos on sand, especially the calci-sand that is supposed to be recommendation. Leopard geckos might accidentally eat the sand, the sand will clog up with the liquids on their stomach, causing blockages (impaction). Leopard gecko impaction can cause stress, severe discomfort and even death in extreme cases.
Paper such as newspaper
Like paper towels, paper is utilitarian but safe and easy to clean. You can get brown butcher paper or unprinted newsprint quite economically and just replace the substrate when it is soiled.
Indoor/Outdoor or Reptile Carpet
This is also easy to clean and carries little risk of ingestion (but watch for loose threads that could possibly be ingested or trap a leg), but these can be a bit rough for gecko skin. Keep two pieces on hand to make cleaning easier (when one is soiled, remove it for a thorough cleaning, simply replacing it with the second piece. When the soiled one is disinfected and dry, you can just swap them out again).
Reptile Bedding (Eco-Bedding, Bed-a-Beast, etc.)
There are a variety of bedding products available and some people use these with geckos. Some consist of small particles that could be ingested with feeding, and many experts advise against them. If you choose such a substrate, take the same precautions as with sand.
Slate Rocks
Adding slate rocks, set into a small amount of sand to anchor them and fill the spaces make a nice resting area for leopard geckos. If you can get smooth flat stones this seems like a good option for making a naturalistic environment that holds and distributes heat well, without much diminished risks of ingesting substrate (the amount of sand between the stones is less likely to be a problem than an open area of sand).
I hope this helps clear up the confusion with leopard gecko substrate
Choosing a substrate can be one of the more confusing aspects of setting up a tank for leopard geckos. There is much debate over which substrates are safe, and the best choice depends on the age of your leopard gecko pet as well.
Paper towels, though not as attractive in a terrarium as some other options, are one of the best substrates available. For juveniles and hatchlings (under a year old), paper towels are your best choice in a substrate. Either that or nothing at all. For adults there are more choices but the recommendations can be confusing. Here is a run down of some options you can look at, and some to avoid.
Paper Towels
As mentioned previously, paper towels are one of the best substrates, and are the recommended substrate for juvenile leopard geckos (as well as sickly geckos), but can be used for any leopard gecko. With paper towel substrate, there are no worries about ingestion or inhalation of substrate, and it is absorbent, hygienic, and easy to clean (which reduces the chance of illness). It also makes monitoring health (e.g. eating, bowel movements) easy.
Sand
This is where the debate over substrates gets heated. Sand is considered unsafe by some, due to the risk of ingestion and impaction (either due to accidental ingestion or due to intentional ingestion to meet calcium needs) -- this is a bigger risk for juveniles so sand should never be used with juvenile geckos. Other potential difficulties with sand include dust (which can lead to respiratory problems), and bacterial or mold growth in wet sand. I would say don't house leopard geckos on sand, especially the calci-sand that is supposed to be recommendation. Leopard geckos might accidentally eat the sand, the sand will clog up with the liquids on their stomach, causing blockages (impaction). Leopard gecko impaction can cause stress, severe discomfort and even death in extreme cases.
Paper such as newspaper
Like paper towels, paper is utilitarian but safe and easy to clean. You can get brown butcher paper or unprinted newsprint quite economically and just replace the substrate when it is soiled.
Indoor/Outdoor or Reptile Carpet
This is also easy to clean and carries little risk of ingestion (but watch for loose threads that could possibly be ingested or trap a leg), but these can be a bit rough for gecko skin. Keep two pieces on hand to make cleaning easier (when one is soiled, remove it for a thorough cleaning, simply replacing it with the second piece. When the soiled one is disinfected and dry, you can just swap them out again).
Reptile Bedding (Eco-Bedding, Bed-a-Beast, etc.)
There are a variety of bedding products available and some people use these with geckos. Some consist of small particles that could be ingested with feeding, and many experts advise against them. If you choose such a substrate, take the same precautions as with sand.
Slate Rocks
Adding slate rocks, set into a small amount of sand to anchor them and fill the spaces make a nice resting area for leopard geckos. If you can get smooth flat stones this seems like a good option for making a naturalistic environment that holds and distributes heat well, without much diminished risks of ingesting substrate (the amount of sand between the stones is less likely to be a problem than an open area of sand).
I hope this helps clear up the confusion with leopard gecko substrate
Leopard geckos background info and info about geckos in general
What is a Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius)?
Let us start with defining what Leopard Gecko is.
A Leopard Gecko is a rather tiny or medium-sized lizard like from the family of Gekkonidae.
There are about more than 300 kinds of species of geckos that are dispersed all throughout the sunny and warm regions around the world.
Despite rumours to the contrary, a Geckos bite is not poisonous.
A lot of its species are arboreal, while others live in human dwellings. A lot of the Geckos are lacking movable eyelids and have characteristic pads on the undersides of their feet that enable them to hold on to a smoother surface and thus enabling them to run upside down on ceilings (like a regular lizard).
Those pads contain microscopic backward-projecting hairs that are covered with tiny pads that generate an adhesive force through van der Waals attractions.
The Geckos are unique among lizards in which they actually possess voices, and different species can make characteristic sounds.
They feed on tiny insects like crickets and mealworms. Practically all of them lay eggs. The largest known Gecko species is said to grow up to 14-inches (35.5-cm), Geckos of the South East Asia. The wall Gecko or the Tarentola mauritanica of the Mediterranean Region is regularly seen basking by day on walls and rocks; these type of Geckos hunts by nighttime.
There are two native species in the United States alone, the first one is the Leaf-Fingered Gecko or the Phyllodactylus tuberculatus. They are located mostly on the extreme of South California and Baja California; The other type is the Banded, or Ground Gecko scientifically known as Coleonyx variegates from the deserts of the South West of the United States and New Mexico. The latter though is a ground-dwelling Gecko and it lacks footpads.
While in Florida there are a lot of West Indian species as well as the widely distributed Turkish Gecko or the Hemidactylus turcicus (which originally came from Africa). Geckos are classified in the phylum Chordata, subphylum Vertebrata, class Reptilia, order Squamata, family Gekkonidae.
Wow, a lot of unpronounceable words there. But I find it's always useful to learn a little of the background of a gecko as you will understand why they act and choose to live in the habtitat they do.
Let us start with defining what Leopard Gecko is.
A Leopard Gecko is a rather tiny or medium-sized lizard like from the family of Gekkonidae.
There are about more than 300 kinds of species of geckos that are dispersed all throughout the sunny and warm regions around the world.
Despite rumours to the contrary, a Geckos bite is not poisonous.
A lot of its species are arboreal, while others live in human dwellings. A lot of the Geckos are lacking movable eyelids and have characteristic pads on the undersides of their feet that enable them to hold on to a smoother surface and thus enabling them to run upside down on ceilings (like a regular lizard).
Those pads contain microscopic backward-projecting hairs that are covered with tiny pads that generate an adhesive force through van der Waals attractions.
The Geckos are unique among lizards in which they actually possess voices, and different species can make characteristic sounds.
They feed on tiny insects like crickets and mealworms. Practically all of them lay eggs. The largest known Gecko species is said to grow up to 14-inches (35.5-cm), Geckos of the South East Asia. The wall Gecko or the Tarentola mauritanica of the Mediterranean Region is regularly seen basking by day on walls and rocks; these type of Geckos hunts by nighttime.
There are two native species in the United States alone, the first one is the Leaf-Fingered Gecko or the Phyllodactylus tuberculatus. They are located mostly on the extreme of South California and Baja California; The other type is the Banded, or Ground Gecko scientifically known as Coleonyx variegates from the deserts of the South West of the United States and New Mexico. The latter though is a ground-dwelling Gecko and it lacks footpads.
While in Florida there are a lot of West Indian species as well as the widely distributed Turkish Gecko or the Hemidactylus turcicus (which originally came from Africa). Geckos are classified in the phylum Chordata, subphylum Vertebrata, class Reptilia, order Squamata, family Gekkonidae.
Wow, a lot of unpronounceable words there. But I find it's always useful to learn a little of the background of a gecko as you will understand why they act and choose to live in the habtitat they do.
How to set up a hatchling leopard gecko | how-to video
Watch this video on how to set up a hatchling leopard gecko cage. It's from oggiereptile who is one of my favorite youtube leopard gecko regulars. This one is all about creating a habitat for your baby leopard gecko. Interesting note on a substrates in particular...baby leopard geckos pick up anything so you have to be careful about housing them on loose materials especially sand. He recommends 'tissue or nothing'. Second that.
Leopard geckos always need a place to hide/shelter. oggiereptile here uses a cheap, simple lightbulb box to act as a hide which is great.
He goes through humidity boxes too which are very easy to purchase and use.
Be very careful not to make the water bowl too deep or they might drown. Bottle lids work well. You need two: one filled with water and one filled with pure calcium (not the calcium with vitamin and minerals because you can dust them with that)
Leopard geckos always need a place to hide/shelter. oggiereptile here uses a cheap, simple lightbulb box to act as a hide which is great.
He goes through humidity boxes too which are very easy to purchase and use.
Be very careful not to make the water bowl too deep or they might drown. Bottle lids work well. You need two: one filled with water and one filled with pure calcium (not the calcium with vitamin and minerals because you can dust them with that)
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