Here is a list of things you will need to properly care for your leopard gecko.
Enclosure
Anything from a small tank to a 3ft 6in x 6ft high stack 3 storey stack will work for leopard gecko.
The leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) can grow up to 12 inches, average is about 8, so you only need a relatively small enclosure for your gecko. An aquarium/vivarium about 2ft x 1ft x 1ft is suitable for a single gecko. For Housing a breeding group of leopard geckos you need about a 4ft x 2ft x 2ft that will house about 5 leopard geckos (1 male 4 female) you might be able to fit a couple more but make sure there’s plenty of hide holes so they don’t get stressed out.
Heat source
Heat can be obtained by either using a heat mat or a spot light, please try to put the heat source at one end of the tank so that if it gets to hot the gecko has the opportunity to move away. The heat mat can be placed under the tank at one end, if you use silver sand the sand will hold a heat source for the gecko.
Thermometer
You will need to place a thermometer in the enclosure to gauge the temperature inside.
Substrate
Silver sand Ideally silver sand is a good base to cover the bottom of the tank with as it will hold the heat. It costs only a few bucks. I personally prefer the 25 kg bags because you get more for your money.
Water dish
A small shallow water dish with about 1cm of water in should be placed in your gecko housing enclosure so they have always got a supply of drinking water and changed daily.
Food
- cricket
- Cricket
- Wax worm
- Wax worm
Crickets are an excellent staple diet with a variation of locusts, hoppers (smaller locusts) mealworms, waxworms and super worms. Occasional pinkie mice are sometimes accepted by adults only. Pinkies are hairless newborn mice.
Most reputable pet shots now stock crickets, hoppers and mealworms. If you have any trouble finding a regular supplier you can buy the online from amazon.
THE IMPORTANCE OF DUSTING AND GUT-LOADING
Geckos need calcium and dusting the insects is the best way to get your gecko the calcium it needs to grow strong and healthy bones. The D3 content in the calcium is what helps your gecko to absorb that calcium since it does not get natural sunlight. What YOU put into those insects will go into your gecko.
Hiding Spots
Hiding spots are vital to your gecko’s well being because of their natural behavior to hide, no matter how social they are when they are out at night. A moist hide box, in my opinion, is a natural, beneficial and therapeutic item for your gecko to have.
Minerals and Supplements
Minerals and Supplements are important to your geckos well being because they supply all the natural needs which your gecko needs and would get if it was in the wild, below are the MAIN Minerals and Supplements I use it tells you what it does for your gecko.
Summary
A summary of what you will need
- Tank or vivarium
- Heat source
- Silver sand
- Small water dish
- Somewhere to hide
- Food
- Minerals and supplements
