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
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