Common Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius)

Common Leopard Gecko Eublepharis macularius
Name	Common Leopard Gecko
Name Lat.	Eublepharis macularius
Family	Eublepharid Geckos
Family lat.	Eublepharidae
Order	Scaled Reptiles
Order lat.	Squamata
Origin	Asia
Habitat	Semi-desert
Diet	Insects
Humidity	45-60 %
Behavior	Nocturnal, ♂ territorial
Keeping	Individual, pair, harem
Care Level	Easy
Reproduction	Oviparous
Housing	Dry terrarium
Life Span	15-20 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	25 cm
Temperature	25-30 °C
Temperature Local	30-35 °C
Housing Size	80 x 60 x 40 cm
US Units
Size	10"
Temperature	77-86 °F
Temperature Local	86-95 °F
Housing Size	30" x 25" x 15"

Distribution and habitat

The crepuscular to nocturnal leopard geckos inhabit the dry steppe and grasslands of eastern and southern Afghanistan, Pakistan and northwestern India. There they live mostly in burrows or under large stones.

Maintenance

Minimum dimensions for the terrarium, according to the size and number of animals

1-2 animals

4KRL x 3KRL x 2KRL (L x W x H)

Head-torso length (KRL) is measured on the largest animal. For each additional animal, increase the footprint by 15%. A terrarium of e.g. 80 x 60 x 40 cm is recommended, which should be placed in a quiet and vibration-free place

You need a strongly structured terrarium with roots and flat stones (controllable hiding places and visual protection), a graveable substrate of coarse sand (3-10 cm deep), a shallow water bowl and resistant potted plants (e.g. succulents, opuntias). A small part of the substrate, especially the lower sand layers, should always be kept moist. Once a day, preferably in the evening, the inside of the terrarium should be finely sprayed with water (humidity), but not directly the animals (risk of shock).

Temp. day: 28-30 °C

Temp. night: 18-20 °C

Temp. local: up to 35 °C

Humidity: 45-60

Thermostatically controlled floor heating is recommended. Lighting duration must be 12-14 hrs. Daylight fluorescent tubes are ideal. For crepuscular and nocturnal animals a special UV light is not necessary.

Diet

The food supply consists of live insects, such as crickets, house crickets, grasshoppers, millipedes, zophobas and mealybug larvae. Alternatively, special ready-made food for insectivorous reptiles can be offered, possibly with tweezers for habituation. Wax moths should only be fed in small amounts to adults, but not to juveniles, because of their large fat content. Regular addition of minerals and vitamins (dusting of food) is important. Young animals should be offered food daily, adult animals 4-5 times a week. Drinking water must always be available

A varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Reproduction and breeding

The adult male has a thickened caudal root with a distinct hemipenis pouch.

The female buries her eggs (1-2 pieces) in the substrate, which must accordingly consist of a substrate suitable for burrowing. The incubation period is 40-70 days at a temperature of 28-32 °C. Small insects such as fruit flies and micro crickets are suitable as initial food for the young.

Important

Leopard geckos are bred in numerous color forms, such as Tangerine, Ghost, Emerald, Red Stripe, Lavender, Snow, Firewater, etc

Smaller reptiles, including their own young, are considered prey. Adult males behave territorially and incompatibility can occur among themselves. They can be well maintained in a small group, 1 male with 2-3 females.

For the resting phase, shorten the lighting time by 2-3 hours and lower the temperature by 3-4 °C for about two months, depending on the origin of the animals.

With fruit and honey water as food for the feeders, their quality can be upgraded.

The terrarium must have good ventilation without drafts and meet the species specific needs. Measuring devices such as thermometers, hygrometers, etc. are necessary. The lighting has to correspond to the species-specific day-night rhythm and has to be placed in such a way that the animals cannot injure themselves. The terrarium should be locked in such a way that neither unauthorized persons can open it nor the animals can escape. Contamination must be removed regularly.

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Christian Sänger; Image: petdata 

Source: BMELV (1997): Tierschutzgutachten - Mindestanforderungen an die Haltung von Reptilien; ENGELMANN (2006): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Reptilien und Amphibien, Harri Deutsch Verlag

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF