Leopard gecko care
Eublepharis macularius
A ground-dwelling gecko from dry, rocky country, active at dusk and night.
- Lifespan
- 10–20 years
- Adult length
- 7–10 in
- Enclosure
- 36 × 18 × 18 in+
- Warm end
- 86–95°F
- Cool end
- 72–79°F
- Humidity
- 30–40%
Figures and their sources are in the full care guide.
Enclosure and setup
Leopard Gecko Enclosure Size: Is 20 or 40 Gallons Enough?
How big a leopard gecko enclosure should be, with sources compared and floor sizes drawn to scale. Why 36 × 18 inches is the new minimum and when to go bigger.
Leopard Gecko Substrate: What Is Safe and What to Avoid
Sand, soil mix, tile or paper towel? What vets and specialist keepers say about leopard gecko substrate, what to avoid, and how to lower the impaction risk.
Leopard Gecko Temperature Range: Setting Up the Heat Gradient
Leopard gecko temperatures for the warm end, cool end and night, compared across five care sources, plus how to heat, measure and fix a gradient that is off.
Do Leopard Geckos Need UVB? What the Research Shows
Do leopard geckos need UVB lighting? What two studies found, how much UVB sources recommend, which lamp to buy, where to mount it and how to keep it safe.
Food and feeding
Health
Leopard Gecko Laying Eggs Without a Male: What to Do
Why female leopard geckos lay infertile eggs, how to tell she is gravid, how to set up a nest box, and the signs of egg-binding that need a reptile vet.
Leopard Gecko Impaction: Signs, Causes and What to Do
How to recognize impaction in a leopard gecko, from no droppings to a swollen belly, what causes it, why heat and insect size matter, and when to see a vet.
Metabolic Bone Disease in Leopard Geckos: Signs, Causes, Prevention
How to spot metabolic bone disease (MBD) in a leopard gecko, from a soft jaw to bent legs, why calcium and vitamin D3 matter, and how to prevent it.
Leopard Gecko Not Eating? What to Check, in Order
Why a leopard gecko stops eating: a new home, cold temperatures, breeding season, eggs, diet or illness. What to check first, and when it is time for a vet.
Leopard Gecko Parasites: Signs, Fecal Tests and Treatment
Which parasites leopard geckos get, from pinworms to Cryptosporidium, the signs to watch for, why a fecal test comes first, and why not to deworm blindly.
Leopard Gecko Shedding: What Is Normal and How to Fix Stuck Shed
What normal leopard gecko shedding looks like, how often it happens, why skin gets stuck on toes, eyes and tail, and what to do about it.
Leopard Gecko Dropped Its Tail: What to Do and Will It Grow Back?
Why leopard geckos drop their tails, what to do in the first hours, how to keep the stump clean, how long regrowth takes, and when a dropped tail needs a vet.
Is My Leopard Gecko Fat or Too Thin? A Tail and Weight Guide
How to tell if a leopard gecko is overweight or underweight from its tail, spine and hips, how to weigh it, and how to help it lose or gain weight safely.