Leopard geckos are gentle, ground‑dwelling lizards from the semi‑arid grasslands and rocky deserts of South Asia. They have movable eyelids, lack toe pads, and often display a calm demeanor, which makes them approachable for new keepers. In the wild they are crepuscular—most active at dawn and dusk—and commonly live 15–20 years in captivity with good care.
For one adult, provide at least a 40‑gallon breeder (36″ × 16″ × 18″) so there’s room for a warm side, a cool side, and multiple hides. Use paper towels or a well‑draining semi‑arid mix (for example, organic soil with play sand) and always monitor for ingestion risk. Low ambient humidity with a dedicated humid hide supports healthy sheds.
A variety of morphs influences appearance and price—common morphs are often $20–$100, while select lines can be several hundred dollars.
Leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) occur across Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Iran, inhabiting rocky scrub and semi‑desert. Hatchlings are 3–4″; adults typically reach 7–11″ by 12–18 months. They can drop and regrow their fat‑storing tails as a defense. With responsible husbandry, lifespans of 15–20 years are common (PetMD).
Provide at least a 36″ × 16″ × 18″ enclosure with a warm side, cool side, and three hides (warm, cool, humid). Use secure ventilation and solid climbing decor like slate and cork.
Substrate choices range from paper towels to a semiarid mix (e.g., 50% organic soil, 50% play sand). Avoid loose sediment that poses impaction risks, and monitor substrate ingestion (RSPCA).
Create a warm zone of 82–86°F (28–30°C) and a cool zone of 75–79°F (24–26°C). Use a guarded basking or ceramic heat source controlled by a thermostat, and verify temperatures with a digital probe (RSPCA).
Low‑level UVB lighting is increasingly recommended and can support calcium metabolism; use a low‑output tube on a 10–12 hour schedule.
Keep ambient humidity around 30–40% with strong ventilation to reduce respiratory risk. A mesh lid or side vents help keep air moving (ReptiFiles). Avoid sustained levels above 50%.
Provide a humid hide (~70–80% humidity) by placing damp sphagnum moss or paper towels inside a hide on the cool side. This microclimate assists shedding without raising the entire tank's humidity (ReptiFiles).
Offer a variety of gut‑loaded insects such as crickets, mealworms, and dubia roaches, with waxworms as an occasional treat (RSPCA).
Juveniles (0–12 months) eat daily; adults every 2–3 days. Dust feeders with calcium powder (with D₃ for non-UVB setups) at every feeding for young and half the time for adults. A calcium dish in the enclosure allows self-supplementation (RSPCA Rescue).
Always provide a shallow dish of fresh water, cleaned daily. Water dishes also create slight humidity, which can be beneficial near hides (The Spruce Pets).
Include multiple hides (warm, cool, humid), low climbing structures, and a digging area to encourage exploration and exercise (behavioral enrichment research).
Decorate with rocks, cork bark, and artificial plants to create cover and visual barriers, reducing stress and mimicking the gecko's natural habitat. Periodically rearrange decor for novelty, and allow supervised free-range time in a safe space can also be enriching (ReptiFiles).