Leopard Geckos

Leopard Geckos:

Leopard Geckos are native to south-east Asia, where they inhabit rocky, dry grassland regions. The animal spends the day hidden under rocks or in burrows to escape the daytime heat. It can only be sighted at dusk when it emerges to hunt insects. The leopard gecko is a faint yellow colored lizard, with with black markings and measures 6 to 9 inches in length. These beautiful creatures are also being selectively bred by dedicated leopard gecko breeders in captivity and this has resulted in the formation of different color morphs, from dark yellow, tangerine and stripes, to patternless, lavender and blizzard. Some captive specimens measure more than 11 inches in length. At birth, the leopard gecko's markings are different from those that the lizard develops as an adult. The skin initially has no spots, only dark bands and intermittent light yellow ones and these fade within a year.

Leopard Gecko special features:

The leopard gecko is of the subfamily Eublepharidae and has eyelids. The function of the eyelids is to help the gecko to keep its eyes clean and particle-free in its dusty habitat. The leopard gecko can clean and moisten its eyes with its tongue, just like other lizards. The leopard geckos have small claws instead of toe pads and hence they cannot climb vertically. The function of the claws is to give extra traction on the ground and help in digging. The leopard gecko can drop its tail in caudal autonomy when frightened or disturbed. The condition of the lizard constricts the muscles at the base of the tail and causes them to snap the vertebrae. This detaching and wriggling distracts the predator as the gecko escapes! However, the new tail regenerated appears bulbous and inferior, with spots instead of lines.

Leopard Gecko food:

Leopard geckos are insectivorous and feed well on insects, grubs and worms and smaller lizards. They also feed on small snakes rarely and baby mice, but only if the gecko is large enough. The Leopard gecko has a life span of 10 to 15 years, in captivity. On record is the longest confirmed life span at 29 years for a male! The leopard gecko can grow between 9 and 12 inches in length.

Leopard Gecko reproduction:

Leopard Geckos become sexually mature between 10 and 14 months and the gender can be determined once the lizard grows to about 5". The males are larger than females and flaunta distinct ‘V’shaped row of spots in front of the cloacal opening. They also have a noticeable bulge at the base of the tail. Leopard Geckos breed from as early as January to as late as October. When the male and female meet, he shakes his tail and in response, the female sways her’s from side to side. The male then licks her for her scent and begins biting her from the lower body, upwards. He then places his body parallel to hers and places his hind leg over her tail. He then inserts one of his hemipenes into her cloaca. Thirty days later, the female lays and egg or two with a leathery shell. The eggs are incubated and the sex of Leopard geckos are determined by the incubation temperature.

Keeping the Leopard Gecko as a pet:

Leopard Geckos are the easiest lizards to maintain, in the proper conditions though. They rarely bite and are domesticated very easily. Leopard geckos need to be handled and fondled regularly for them to remain calm. Never hold the gecko by its tail! Its tail breaks off rather easily as a defense mechanism and the regenerated one alters the original look to a great extent. They are relatively clean creatures. A ten gallon aquarium is adequate for a single gecko. Never put two males together, they will fight. Daytime temperature should be maintained at 85 to 90, while the night temperatures can dip into the low 70's. Since the leopard geckos are nocturnal, UV lightning is not necessary.