Build a Habitat for Leopard Geckos

Leopard geckos are fun to have as pets, and very cute. If you're thinking about buying a leopard gecko or you just got one, you'll want to make sure it's new home is set up properly.

Steps

  1. You need to think about where your gecko will live. The tank can either have a screen top or a sliding door at the front (better for taming). The tank should be wider than it is tall. A {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} tank is enough for one adult gecko, but if you're getting more than one, a 20 or even {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} tank is best. More than one male shouldn't be kept in one tank because they will fight. Don't get a male and a female gecko in the same tank unless you want babies.
  2. Substrate is what you put at the bottom of the tank.
    • The best option is tile. It is easily cleanable.
    • If you want your tank to look nice, an indoor or outdoor reptile carpet would be suitable. Yet, if any pieces of the carpet are sticking up, there is a chance a gecko;s claw or tooth can get stuck.
    • It is a bad idea to use sand, especially for baby leopard geckos. If they eat it either by accident or not, it can cause serious health problems like impaction.
    • You can use paper towel, but insects can get underneath it. You could use excavator clay instead, but there is a small impaction risk and a heat mat can't be used. Yet another option is Eco earth, although this is difficult to dry out.
  3. Leopard geckos need heat to digest their food.
    • The best choice would be an under tank heater. This way, when the gecko is done eating they can lay on the heater and get the belly warmth. On an under tank heater, there is a sticky side. You stick that side under the tank, and plug it in to an outlet. After a couple hours it will reach full heat. If you choose a heater, make sure it is only the size of a third of the tank, so the gecko can pick the hot or cool side to be on.alf
    • Another heat option is an overhead light, but this should only be used as well as a heat mat, when the heat mat is not enough heat. This will provide light and heat, although geckos are nocturnal so they might be bothered with the bright light.
  4. You'll want to keep accurate thermometers (the most accurate being ones with a probe or temperature guns) in the tank so you can keep a close eye on the temperatures. The side with the pad should be around 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, and the opposite side should be around 80 degrees. The warm side can drop to 80 degrees at night.
  5. As for furnishings, there should be two hiding places on the hot side of the tank and one on the cooler side.:
    • The humid hide should be one of the hides on the warm side. This is where geckos go to have a humid climate, so they can easily shed their skin. Inside of this hide you will either need wet paper towels or damp peat moss or Eco earth. Spray this hide with a water bottle each day and for the hot hid make sure it's on top of the heat mat.
    • The cold side should be a dry hide. Things to use for this hide is any hiding places big enough for your gecko you find at the pet store- like hollow logs. Make sure these hides actually hide your gecko and don't go up against the glass.
  6. You gecko will need a water dish and a food dish if feeding meal worms and a calcium dish without d3. The water dish should be in the middle of the tank, or next to one of the hides. It needs to be shallow enough so your gecko can drink with out having to go inside of it, but big enough to hold enough water for a day and let your gecko bathe in it. Make sure to replace with fresh, clean water when low or dirty.



Tips

  • Be very careful if you get a hot rock, as it might burn the gecko.
  • Never use Calci-sand as your substrate! It is by far the worst, and nobody will ever recommend it. Paper towels or slate rock rules are the best options when considering safety.
  • Don't keep two male geckos in the same tank- they will fight and one could get injured or possibly die.
  • Never use sand with a gecko.
  • If you're only getting one leopard gecko, give your gecko at least a ten gallon tank. Remember, young geckos may wander away from their heat and water source in a large tank.
  • There are many other great articles about geckos on this website, so check them out if you need any information about taking care of them!

Things You'll Need

  • A tank
  • A heat mat
  • 3 hiding places
  • a water dish
  • Substrate (paper towels, paper, etc.)
  • a food dish(if feeding meal worms)

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