Leopard geckos were first described as a species by British
zoologist Edward Blyth in 1854 as Eublepharis macularis.
The generic name Eublepharis is a combination of the Latin
words Eu meaning "true", and blephar meaning "eyelid", as
having eyelids is what distinguishes members of this
subfamily from other geckos.
The specific name, macularius, comes from the Latin macula
meaning "spot" or "blemish", referring to the animal's natural
spotted markings.
The Leopard Gecko is native to south-eastern
Afghanistan, throughout Pakistan, northwest India, and into Iran where it
inhabits the rocky, dry grassland regions
of these countries. As nocturnal
creatures, they spend the day hidden under
rocks or in dry burrows to escape the
daytime heat, emerging at dusk to hunt
insects.
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The leopard gecko is a cream to yellow colored lizard with black
spots or stripes similar to the markings of a leopard attaining a total
length of 6 to 8 inches. However, selective breeding in captivity has
produced many color morphs, including high yellow, tangerine,
striped, pattern less (no spots or stripes), lavender, blizzard (which
are solid white or gray), and albino (no black pigments in markings)
in addition to some captive specimens measuring 11 inches in length.
Pattern less and Hypo Leopard Geckos
Leopard geckos are one of only a few gecko species (all of them
members of the subfamily Eublepharidae, a small family of
tropical/subtropical species found in the Americas, Africa, and Asia)
that have eyelids. This helps the gecko keep its eyes clean and
particle-free in its dusty environment (most geckos clean and
moisten their eyes with their tongues). Many believe that this also
gives the leopard gecko more personality, perhaps contributing to its
popularity as a pet.
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Unlike other species of gecko, leopard
geckos have small claws instead of
adhesive toe pads, which prevents them
from climbing vertically. However, their
claws give extra traction on the ground
and are helpful in digging.
Like all geckos, Leopard Geckos can drop
their tail, in a process called caudal
autonomy if frightened or disturbed.
Muscles at the base of the tail
constrict to snap the vertebrae,
severing most of the tail. The tail
distracts the predator (wiggling and
writhing on the ground) as the gecko
makes its escape. Although they will
eventually grow a new one, the
regenerated tail will differ from the
Leopard geckos are often recommended to beginning
herpetoculturists for several reasons: their small size, ease of
care, cleanliness (they tend to defecate in one corner of
their enclosure), long life span (the longest confirmed life
span was 27 years, with 19-22 years being average),
tolerance of handling, and wide color range. They can
usually be handled well by older children, but the close
supervision of an adult is still recommended as the gecko's
tail can fall off if the animal is stressed or frightened.
Leopard geckos are easily available commercially. They are
one of the few lizard species regularly bred in captivity in
large enough numbers that captive-produced specimens
are easily obtained at pet stores. As with crested geckos,
leopard geckos are a good choice for someone who wants
a pet lizard but doesn't want to keep wild-caught animals.
These geckos are very inexpensive especially in contrast to
other reptiles and in the context of their beauty, tolerance
of being handled, simplicity of care, simplicity to breed &
other plusses.
It is important that water is available at all times. Although leopard geckos come from
dry, arid areas, they still like to drink. A shallow water dish which is hard to tip
over and easy to clean is ideal. It is also a good idea to have a bowl which does not
have small crevices and cracks in it, which mould can build up in, and small
insects can hide in. You must be certain to scrub out the water bowl every other
day or so to remove waste. You must remember, however, not to use anti-bacterial
soap to clean out cage furniture. You will kill your gecko if you clean the water
bowl with anti-bacterial soap.
Leopard geckos are primarily insectivorous, feeding on insects. Mealworms, wax
worms, earthworms, crickets and locusts are all suitable prey items. However
certain foods should be limited. If looking to maximize the life of your leopard
gecko, pinkies should also be fed to your leopard gecko every other week due to
essential nutrients stored in the flesh and bone of mammals that insects don’t have.
However, pinkies should not be fed to leopard geckos that are under 14 months of
age, as there is a risk of them choking due to their smaller mouths. It is important
that the food you give your gecko is as highly nutritious as possible
Digestive Tract Obstruction
mouth. Treatment involves
This occurs when a gecko eats
cleaning the area daily and
something it is unable to
possibly using an oral
digest. The obstructions can be
antibiotic.
sand, gravel, or substrate that Respiratory Infection
the leopard gecko ingested.
A respiratory infection can
Whatever it ate can form a
occur if your leopard gecko’s
blockage that can be fatal. You
habitat is too cold for long
should always make sure that
periods. Mucus bubbles on the
the substrate in the cage is
nostrils and labored breathing
small enough to be easily
is a sign of infection.
passed by the gecko if
Increasing the temperature of
consumed.
the cage will usually correct
Mouth Infection
the health problem.
Mouth infections can occur. It
can be caused by fighting, a
dirty cage, or accidental injury.
A sign of infection is swelling
around your leopard gecko’s
If you keep a group of geckos together, fighting
may occur and lead to injury. To prevent
fighting do not keep more than one male
leopard gecko in a cage. Two males together
will fight. Do not overcrowd your geckos. Make
sure there are enough hiding places for each
one. If you see one gecko hiding more than the
others, it may need to be moved to a separate
cage. The others may be picking on it.