Leopard gecko setup guide: How to make sure your gecko is happy and healthy

This is Ria the leopard gecko. She was the first reptile I owned. you could say she was the one that got me in the world of keeping reptiles

What is a leopard gecko?

Leopard geckos are found in arid regions around Asia and the Middle east. They are found in arid, rocky deserts. Leopard geckos actually aren’t true geckos since they have eyelids (yes! they can blink). Leopard geckos make great beginner reptiles as they are hardy and easy to care for. In this setup guide, you will learn the basics of how to properly create your leopard geckos terrarium 

Tank size

The first thing you will need to consider for your leopard gecko is the tank size. This can be a controversial topic but for one leopard gecko, a MINIMUM of 10 gallons is required. Although from experience, leopard geckos are much healthier in 20 gallon long. A larger terrarium allows for a better heat gradient and a lot more decorating space in the long run.

When choosing a tank make sure you choose a tank that is longer and shallower than a tall and narrow tank. leopard geckos are mainly terrestrial meaning they prefer to be on the ground. unlike true geckos leopard geckos have claws instead of the sticky pads which allow geckos like the crested gecko to climb.

Heating

Leopard geckos are ectothermic. this means that they don’t produce body heat as we do. Instead, they rely on their surroundings to regulate their body temperature. Therefore you need a temperature gradient in your tank. this means you need a warm side and a cool side. 

So what should these temperatures be? The optimal temperature is around 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit (about 25-29 Celcius) during the day and a nighttime temperature of about 70 degrees Fahrenheit (about 21 celsius). You will also need a basking site of around 90 degrees Fahrenheit (around 32 deg).

So how do I get these temperatures? There are several ways:

  • Heat Lamps
    • Heat lamps are good for warming in during the daylight hours but its negative is that it cannot produce heat during the off hours since it emits light, It can also be difficult to control temperature
  • Ceramic Heat emitters
    • Great for producing ambient heat to raise temperatures a few degrees but I have found that the heat from ceramic heat emitters usually dissipates quickly.
  • Heating pads
    • Heating pads are usually recommended for leopard geckos as it allows for belly heat.  Downside is that it can be difficult to produce a heat gradient with a heating pad and it loses efficacy if you use a thicker substrate.
  • Deep heat projector
    • A fairly recent product that was released. It produces a more concentrated heat which is meant to penetrate deeper into the reptile’s body. I use a deep heat projector with my leopard gecko. I put a slate rock below it to allow for belly heat

When choosing how to heat your leopard gecko, remember to consider that leopard geckos mainly rely on belly heat meaning that they prefer warming their underside. 

Another word of advice: ALWAYS USE A THERMOSTAT WHEN HEATING YOUR REPTILE. Most of these heating elements can go to temperatures that can kill your leopard gecko so make sure to invest in a good thermostat

Substrate

Substrate has been a large point of controversy. The substrate used is important as it is what the leopard gecko interacts with the most. I will talk about the common substrates used with leopard geckos:

  • Sand (including calcium sand, reptisand)
    • No. Never use sand. Probably the worst substrate for leopard geckos. It is known to cause impaction which will lead to the untimely death of your beloved reptile
  • Paper towels
    • Inexpensive, easy to obtain, and clean. unlikely to cause impaction. Great for hospital/quarantine tanks as you are able to monitor your leopard geckos waste. Downsides are that it does not allow for natural behaviours such as burrowing and let’s face it, paper towels aren’t very pretty. 
  • Reptile carpet
    • Another substrate I would not recommend. Although reusable, can harbour harmful bacteria. It can also cause your leopard geckos claws to get stuck and pulled off. 
  •  Coconut fiber, Reptisoil, and other loose substrates
    • A debated substrate. Allows for natural behaviours such as burrowing. but still has a chance of impaction if the substrate is ingested in large quantities. I use reptisoil for my leopard gecko. To prevent any swallowed substrate I use a flat rock as a feeding area and tong feed my gecko. This allows for them to have a substrate that they can do their natural behaviours with a minimal chance of ingesting substrate. 

 

Hides and Decorations

Decorating your leopard geckos terrarium is only limited by your imagination. I recommend at least hides for your gecko, one in the warm side, one on the cool side, and one in between. the hide in between should be a humid hide which will help your gecko during its shed. 

You can create a humid hide by either buying a special hide that allows for increased humidity or creating one yourself by filling the hide with wet paper towel or wet sphagnum moss. 

You can also use different pieces such as wood, branches or rocks which can be used by your gecko to explore and climb. Although they spend their time mostly in the ground, some geckos do enjoy climbing. It also works as a form of enrichment. 

Summary

In this article, we talked about the 3 main things you need for a happy and healthy gecko. Always make sure to do your own research when getting a new pet. Tank size, substrate, and heating are three of the most important things for your gecko. I hope this article helps you on your reptile journey. 

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