Leopard Gecko Setup
Everything You Need to Know About a Safe Leopard Gecko Setup
Owning a leopard gecko is an adventure, but you’ll need a good leopard gecko setup for your new pet to live in. Leopard geckos are one of the most popular reptiles because of their small size. They’re native to parts of the Middle East and Asia. Leopard geckos are unique because they actually have eyelids. Your new pet leopard gecko will live for about 15 years, so be prepared for many years of responsibility!
The first thing you should remember when creating a leopard gecko setup is that the males of the species are very territorial. This means that if you plan to have more than one of this kind of gecko, you should keep the males separated in different enclosures. Otherwise you could have a lot of gecko brawls on your hands.
If you’re starting with just one leopard gecko, setup should include a 10 or 20 gallon aquarium. The 20 gallon size is really best for one gecko, although if you don’t have the space or you want to start smaller, then 10 gallons is alright. Leopard geckos need plenty of room to walk around, so that’s why you need such a large space. Leopard geckos tend to get very stressed if they feel like they don’t have enough room, but they can also get stressed if their space is too large. This is why you might want to add a few extra things inside the larger aquarium if you go that route.
A safe leopard gecko setup should also have a thermometer, and you should check the temperature inside the aquarium several times per day. An aquarium that’s kept too hot can cause your gecko to get burns, while an environment that’s too cold could freeze it out of house and home. Always use a digital thermometer with the probe sticking inside the tank. Stick-on thermometers don’t give accurate temperatures, and it’s very important to know exactly how hot it is inside your leopard gecko setup at all times. Aim to keep the temperature of your leopard gecko setup between 88 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the day time. You may need to use an under tank heater to keep this temperature up during some parts of the year.
Another important part of leopard gecko enclosures is substrate. There is a lot of controversy over what the proper kind of substrate is for this type of lizard. Substrate is basically the textures you place on the floor of your aquarium. Unlike other kinds of lizards, leopard geckos don’t need sand to be comfortable. In fact, sand may be one of the worst kinds of flooring you can put in your enclosure. Instead, opt for paper towels, reptile carpet, regular indoor/outdoor carpet, or slate tiles. Avoid all kinds of loose substrates because your leopard gecko may eat them, either intentionally or accidentally. Loose substrates like sand can clump up inside the gecko’s digestive track and cause all kinds of problems. Wood chips are also bad because they make the inside of the enclosure more humid and provide a hiding place for the gecko’s live cricket entrées.