Gecko Habitat
What Is The Typical Gecko Habitat?
Attempting to define a typical gecko habitat is a little like trying to define a typical habitat for people. Both are spread out over all the continents and the habitats both live in vary widely. Add to the fact there are somewhere between 400 and 600 species of gecko (both numbers are cited), makes any definition of a typical gecko habitat virtually impossible.
There are a few generalities which apply however. A gecko habitat is most likely going to be tropical or subtropical as far as climate is concerned. Many species live in rather arid locations, where the scenery primarily consists of dirt, rocks, and some vegetation. Geckos are primarily meat eaters, feasting on insects, but many of these insects rely on vegetation for survival. Some, like the mosquito, don't, and geckos are particularly fond of mosquitoes, which makes them nice company to have in the neighborhood.
Deserts, Forests, And Apartments - While many gecko species live in desert-like surroundings, some species are forest dwellers, living among the evergreen plants and vines found in the tropics. Pet owners, in their attempts to emulate the habitat of some species like the popular leopard gecko, often place one or more tropical plants in the gecko's cage. Still other geckos could be described as apartment dwellers.
Geckos can be found wherever there is a source of food for them, which can include your house or apartment. Geckos, at least those found in the Pacific islands, are usually not particularly afraid of humans. You can't go right up to one and attempt to touch it. The gecko will scurry away. But if you move slowly and don't get too close, the gecko will probably go on about its own business, which may be walking along a wall, looking for food. Geckos can not only walk on walls, but on ceilings as well, or at least some can. Most species have foot pads which allow them to walk on the undersides of rocks, and ceilings are not much different than rocks from the gecko's perspective.
Geckos can also be found in subtropical areas where the trees are apt to be evergreen, such as pine, or deciduous, such as maple. Geckos are also to be found in grasslands. Different species prefer different habitats.
Pet Gecko Habitat - Since the leopard gecko is by far the most common species kept as a pet, a simulated gecko habitat is usually designed to resemble the natural habitat of the leopard gecko, a native of the Middle East. A desert dweller, the leopard gecko will prefer a substrate of flat rocks mixed with small stones in its enclosure. Sand is used only to help provide drainage, and to keep the larger stones in place. Geckos aren't as a rule particularly fond of sand, and if they do manage to ingest any, it can be harmful to them. A few natural plants in the enclosure will complete the picture. With rocks and a few branches to climb around on, or rest upon, your gecko should be content.
There is another factor to bear in mind. The gecko likes to move around quite a bit in search of food, and can move around quickly. A pet gecko will be a healthy gecko when its enclosure is large enough to give it some room to maneuver. A pet gecko isn't one of those little animals that lives only a year or two and is well off in a small enclosure. A gecko can live up to 15 years, though they usually don't live that long in captivity. Still, you can expect to have the pet for a number of years, and giving it the best possible kind of gecko habitat to spend its days in will make it a happier gecko, and make you feel better as well.