Reptilia 57 - Leopard geckos

The leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) Area of origin: Eublepharis macularius occurs in south-east Afghanistan, Pakistan and north-west India. Habitat: The leopard gecko is crepuscular and nocturnal and inhabits steppe-like areas in its native region, but can also be found at altitudes of up to 2100 m. It lives in natural and self-dug burrows, which it leaves at dusk to search for food.The leopard gecko is one of the most popular lizards, as it is a fairly undemanding pet.The various colour variations and its peaceful behaviour also contribute to its popularity.Juveniles show dark cross-bands on their backs, while adult specimens have the dot pattern that gives them their name. The basic colour is a delicate to rich yellow, on which numerous dark spots and dots can be seen. The belly is solid white. The eyes have movable lids and the limbs have strong claws but no adhesive pads on the toes. The leopard gecko can shed its tail if necessary, which then regrows as a so-called turnip tail. Keeping: Keeping a group of 1 - 3 animals requires a terrarium measuring 100x50x50cm.The floor is covered with sand that can be dug into so that the animals can also dig burrows. Sufficient hiding places are also required.A shallow water dish is a must, although the animals only rarely drink from it. The animals tend to lick water from stones and pieces of cork, which are sprayed once a day. Day temperatures between 26 - 28°C, which may drop to 20°C at night, allow the animals to thrive very well. A humidity of around 50 % can be very easily achieved by spraying in the evening. Food: Leopard geckos are not particularly fussy eaters. They eat all kinds of insects they can catch. It is of course important to ensure that there is always enough food of the right size for the animals in the enclosure. A young leopard gecko with a body length of around 12 cm eats an average of 6 medium-sized crickets, while an adult specimen consumes 4 - 5 large grasshoppers. As with all lizards, it is advisable to dust the feeder insects with calcium and sometimes with vitamins before feeding.Before you decide on leopard geckos, you should definitely have read a suitable specialist book.For any animal keeping the following applies: Children must be guided, supervised and monitored by their parents. Children must learn that an animal has its own needs and habits and respect that. Parents should be aware that they are the ones responsible for the animal.Our trained team at Zoo Roco is available for questions and problems. They can advise you professionally on all matters.