Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I read some threads in the general forum and they reccomended these guys because they were low maintnence and could be kept in small enclosures... I have some questions. (I am new to these kinds of pets)

1. What do they eat? I think I read mealworms and crickets (would prefer something that I could breed myself also)
2. What size should I keep them? I believe I have a 10 and 20 gal
3. I would like my guy/gal to have some company... do they get along with members of the same gender/opposite gender? I would like them to have eggs eventually.
4. As far as the enclosure goes, what do they like/need?
5. Desert/forest/what? May be answered in 4...
6. How long is the life cycle?
7. How long are they pregnant, how many eggs, etc...
8. I noticed 2 or 3 different variations, a spotted, an orangish, and a combination, do they all get along/breed?

1. Yep, they eat mealworms and crickets. You can also give them waxworms as a treat once in a while. They also eat roaches (lobster roaches), and those are pretty easy to breed and keep.

2. 10 gal is fine for one gecko, 20 is fine for 2-3.

3. Girls get along with girls. Guys do not get along at all. Also, they need to be roughly the same size, or the big one bullies the little one. Generally you don't want to mix guys and girls until they're 60 grams or more (breeding size), and if you do mix guys and girls, you want atleast 2-3 girls and one guy (or the one girl gets mated repeated and gets stressed out). If you just want to breed occasionally you might want to borrow a male from someone, or keep him seperately, or you'll be up to your armpits in baby geckos.

4. They need some hides (one on cool end, one on warm end), a humid place (buttertub with a hole cut into the side filled with damp sphagnum moss), a shallow dish of water, a shallow dish of calcium/vitamin powder, and maybe a shallow dish of mealworms.

5. Generally avoid sand, bark, any particulate substrate that they can potentially swallow and get impacted. I like newspaper or paper towels since it makes clean up easy and it's very safe and cheap. The green reptile carpet is okay as long as the edges aren't frayed and pieces of it aren't falling off. Tiles are an excellent choice since they hold heat and are easy to clean. Sand is okay for older geckos, but again, impaction is always possible.

6. There have been reports of geckos living up to 30 years! But seeing them live for 20 years is pretty common.

7. Not too sure here, might want to ask some of the breeders here.

8. Yes, there's a couple different variants. There are pattern variants: normal, jungle, abberant, striped, patternless; and color variants: tremper albino, rainwater albino, les albino, snow, blizzard, melanistic, hypo, and tang, to name a few. And yes, they can all breed with each other and create babies.

-Lemur 6

for number 4. don't forget heat. Leopard geckos need 88-90 deg on the warm side and 75-80 deg on the cool side. You can use infrared/blue lamps, or undertank heaters.

Ok, here we go...
1. Leo's eat many things, gutloaded-well fed insects equal well fed geckos- mealwormas, crickets, silkworms, waxworms...
2. cage size depends on how many you have-no more than one male per enclosure-ever. 2-3 geckos can live in a ten, but as adults a twenty would be nice.
3. females get along- males will kill each other
4.geckos need a substrate-not sand. paper towels work well as do repticarpet and tile. they also need...humid hide, dry hide, they come from the desert, so dry 'n hot. enclosure must have warm and cool sides...90 hot 80 cool
6. up to twenty years
7. females can lay when they are over 50 grams they usually lay two eggs per time.
8. There are many different morphs- typically we-breeders- choose our favorite and try to improve the strain or make it better- so we buy the best of the best and breed them together. So pick your morph...good luck!

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1.2 SHCT Leopard geckos: Big Papa, Big Mama and Jingle Belle
2.5 jungle & leucistic morphs: Van Gogh, Monet, Manet Pissarro, Speckles, Mouthy, and Mama Cass
0.0.1 Normal??? Leo(rescue):Skinny
0.1 Ragdoll cat: Tinkerbell
2.0 Devon Rex cats Gryffindor, Tigger
0.1 Cat Dinah
1.2 Bassett hounds Bogart, Sadie, Hermione
3.0 Feretts Blizzard, Coco, Fuzzums
3.0 Chinchillas

Thanks a lot...

I guess substrate is like the ground... But what is impact? That like where the creature swallows ground matter and dies from not being able to process it? If so, lost a fish to that... He had a thing of moving the rocks around...

Also do most pet stores carry reasonably priced leopards or carry them at all? I don't want to pay around 1000 bucks for some really cool looking ones and have them keel over because I don't know what I am doing yet @_@

I was thinking, having one 20 gallon main tank, having 2 females and one male, putting the male in the secondary tank (10 gallon) most of the time except breeding. And a third like 10 gallon to put the others during cleaning (how often do I need to clean?)

If I buy petstore rocks/shelters should I bake them first to kill bacteria?

Don't think it has been answered, whats preganancy time?

Also what are morphs? Hybrids?

No, morphs are not hybrids. Morph is just a more general term for a pattern or color mutation.

Impaction is when the gecko swallows sand or bark or any substrate, and it gets stuck and they can't eat or poop.

I wouldn't buy leos from petstores. Pet stores don't clean their tanks often enough, nor do they disinfect properly, and those geckos can carry loads and loads of parasites. Go to a reptile show or order online, you can get some nice albinos or jungles for $20-$40.

Yes, 20 gal main tank for females, and a 10 gal for a male would work fine. Leos poop in one corner of the tank, so I just leave a piece of wax paper in that corner and dump it out every morning if it's soiled. I clean the entire tank (wash/scrub/rinse) every 2 weeks or so.

Petstore bought stuff can be baked or boiled. I would boil the plastic stuff (make sure it'd dishwasher safe or it'll melt). Slate and other rock can be baked in the oven or boiled (I like boiling since it's easier to deal with and safer for you).

Leos lay a pair of eggs (sometimes only one if it's her first time or if she's old) in roughly 2-3 week intervals, and eggs hatch in roughly 2 months. Times really depend on alot of things (genetics, temperature, health of mother, health of eggs, number of eggs, etc etc).

Thanks a bunch, I am gonna buy some asap...

so I need:
-Screen Lids
-Lighting (heat lamp?) (and autolighting for day regularity)
-under substrate heating (hmm what heat should I be at?) (and have autoheat management device)
-at least 2 aquariums (one for when I am cleaning)
-Geckos!
-Thermometer to be mounted in terrarium
-Mealworms/Criket and food for them (know good gutload formula?)
-several dish's (food, water, powder)
-Area for moisture chamber
-Paper towels
-Calcium Power (more info would be appreciated)
-Hiding areas... Guess at least one per gecko
-Basking area/platform (should be under light?)

Hmm do I need any plants?

as someone else pointed out

The Leopard Gecko Manual

and a moist hide for each cage.

I think a ten gallon for your male most of the time and the 20 gallon for the two females should work out fine. If you get all same size babies from the same source you might consider keeping them all in the twenty gallon for a few weeks until you notice size differences, then seperate (I find baby leos do better is smaller enclosures- finding food, feeling safe, etc...). When the male reaches adult size, you will want to set up the cage to maximize vertical space- e.g. hides that can be climbed on/laid on.

And as someone else noted, yes stores like Petco and Petsmart have leos but I would not get a leo there because a great many of them are infected with parasites and other illnesses, due in part to improper sanitation of cages. You can get your leos at a show, or online- you'll pay $30-$40 shipping (I would not buy from anyone who offers 'cheaper' shipping by using USPS, especially in winter, I don't think it is safe for the leos) but that is far less than the cost of one vet visit in most areas and well worth it for a healthy animal.

You can check the links of the forum sponsors, and there are also sites such as

www.leopardgecko.com (Ron Tremper's site)
www.GoldenGateGeckos.com (Marcia McGuinesses' site)

etc...
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Sarah Stettler aka Starling
Sarah@stargecko.com
StarGecko.Com COMING SOON! Star Quality Leopard Geckos
Specializing in Hypotangerine Tremper Albinos

I couldn't afford geckos/tank yet or food stuff... I have contacted a few people on geckos, but most of them are unsexed and I don't want to end up getting 3 males -_-

Got:
-Gecko Manual
-Adobe housing thing
-Thermomenter/hydrometer
-Spot light with clamp
-Tree stump enclosure with basking area on top
-Undertank heating

Perhaps we could help you find a reptile show coming to your area or a local breeder.

Glad you got the manual!

I though you said you had a ten gallon and a twenty gallon tank already?

Good for you for doing research first and thinking before you buy your animals. Sounds like you will be a responsible pet owner.
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Sarah Stettler aka Starling
Sarah@stargecko.com
StarGecko.Com COMING SOON! Star Quality Leopard Geckos
Specializing in Hypotangerine Tremper Albinos

I live in Houston, I know there is quite a few Texas breeders but I know none in the Houston area...

Unfortunately I was wrong thinking I have a 10 and a 20... I actually have a 5 and a 10. Unfortunately 20s are about triple the price of a ten (most were around 50-60 dollars.) And I already spent 120 dollars today (hard considering I am a college student with no job) on the stuff for inside the tank.

So even if I were just to use my 10, I lost the screen top and it is a sliding model, and they don't sell replacements at the stores unfortunately....

I am still considering buying Leos from petco, the lady who takes care of them is a Leo owner and she helped me quite a bit.

Yea I am very responsible, I use to be a dog rescue member as well. Actually I looked for leos that need rescuing as well but found none

There is a reptile show coming to Houston in Mid-May, you can find info and get half-price admission here:

www.houstonherp.com/BCBEbody.html

That should give you time to save up for the caging you need and save up some extra for a vet emergency fund. There may be others earlier, I found that with a quick google search. Google is a beautiful thing.

a 5-gallon is okay for a hatchling btw, and if it is a 5-gallon short (same floor space as a ten gallon aquarium-style) it is okay for an adult.

The petco near me does sell replacement screen tops, you might want to look around a little more.

Rescuing sick geckos is expensive and time consuming, and not something I think anyone should do when looking for their very first leo.
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Sarah Stettler aka Starling
Sarah@stargecko.com
StarGecko.Com COMING SOON! Star Quality Leopard Geckos
Specializing in Hypotangerine Tremper Albinos

Aquarium style? it is the same height as my 20 gallon, so I guess it is technically long, so isn't that for reptiles?

the short reptile 5-gallon is about 7" high and about 20"x9" of floor space- same as aquarium-style ten gallon.
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Sarah Stettler aka Starling
Sarah@stargecko.com
StarGecko.Com COMING SOON! Star Quality Leopard Geckos
Specializing in Hypotangerine Tremper Albinos

so would mind be ok for an adult or not? Not that I would

Decided to measure my 5 gallon

16 across
8 inches deep

so 128 sq inches... and yours that you listed has 180....

So I guess mine isn't the correct height... Oh well, don't care, just like to save a little extra money sometimes

Many breeders keep a leo in a sweater box. Most people who keep pets like to give them more space, but if you are creative with vertical space (hides that double as climbing/basking spots) and it is not an especially large gecko it would suffice, certainly for short term, you could always upgrade later.
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Sarah Stettler aka Starling
Sarah@stargecko.com
StarGecko.Com COMING SOON! Star Quality Leopard Geckos
Specializing in Hypotangerine Tremper Albinos

Do you reccomend any breeder websites?

Excellent answers given by all, but before you rush out and buy three Leopard geckos, pick up a copy of "The Leopard Gecko Manual" it's only about $8-$10 and well worth it. Read it cover to cover, then go buy your supplies, get everything set up, then look for your geckos.
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Sam
Gecko Den
Email Me

I was reading through the posts looking to see if anyone suggested the book, if not i was going to It is well worth it, i agree. I heard they created a crested gecko manual, i can't wait until its available up here

Red

>>Excellent answers given by all, but before you rush out and buy three Leopard geckos, pick up a copy of "The Leopard Gecko Manual" it's only about $8-$10 and well worth it. Read it cover to cover, then go buy your supplies, get everything set up, then look for your geckos.
>>-----
>>Sam
>> Gecko Den
>>Email Me
>>
>>
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Crested Gecko Zeek:1.0
LEOS: Boo: 1.0 normal , Bronx & Nala: 1.1 blizzard,
Lily: 0.1 patternless, Abby: 0.1 albino, Zoe: 0.1 reduced pattern, Dot: 0.1 hypo
Chip: 1.0 papillion (small dog)

Sorry, but i dont see how 2 or three leos would fit in a 10g, let alone one for that matter. Maybe babies, but not adults. They will turn lazy, obese, sleep longer, etc when kept in small enclosures. Id reccomend a 20 gallon for at most, 3. But i'd also recommend going nothing less than a 20g.

The fact that leos are easy to take care of, doesnt mean they should be cramped in the tiniest enclosures. After you fit the hides, dishes, decor, etc, theres barely any room left.

JMO.

I'm not trying to be mean or anything...but you are the very first person I've ever heard say a 10 gallon isn't big enough for one adult leo...Every source I've ever seen (and I'm sure I've seen at least 20...probably more) has said that one adult leo can live just fine in a 10 gallon. The person saying 2 or 3 in a 10 was referring to hatchlings and juvies that aren't full size. I don't think a ten gallon is bad at all, as long as there is adequate places to climb around and hide.

Exactly what I was thinking. 10G are about the same size, if not a little bigger than a "Sweater" box that most breeders use for their colony. So, a 10G is GREAT for an adult. Matter of fact, I have 5 adults in their very own 10G tank and they are very active.
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Geckos will someday rule the world!

4.7.1 Leopard Geckos
2.1.0 Chihuahuas
2.1.0 Rottweiler Mix
1.0.0 Siamese Cat
1.0.0 Dwarf Hamsters

Josh
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5 adult leos in a ten gallon tank? That sounds REALLY cramped and I think you should get them at least a 20 gallon.

Yes a ten gallon (20"x9"=180 inches floor space) is bigger than a sweater box (9x13"=117 inches floor space), but what breeders use for colonies is not a sweater box, but a BLANKET box, which is 20"x14", providing 280 square inches of floor space, well over twice the space of a sweater box. I think most breeders keep only ONE adult leo in a sweater box, and no more than two. And some breeders use 20 gallon tanks for their regular breeding colonies. Shoeboxes are used for hatchlings and juvvies/subs.
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Sarah Stettler aka Starling
Sarah@stargecko.com
StarGecko.Com COMING SOON! Star Quality Leopard Geckos
Specializing in Hypotangerine Tremper Albinos

5 of them in their very own tank. Not 5 in one. But 5 of them each in one of 5 tanks.
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Geckos will someday rule the world!

4.7.1 Leopard Geckos
2.1.0 Chihuahuas
2.1.0 Rottweiler Mix
1.0.0 Siamese Cat
1.0.0 Dwarf Hamsters

Josh
----------------------------------

I misunderstood you. I agree a ten gallon is just fine for one adult leo, though best if creative use is made of horozontal space (e.g. hides that can be climbed on). It is blanket boxes that breders use for colonies though, not sweater boxes, and the blanket boxes are closer in size to a 20 gallon.
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Sarah Stettler aka Starling
Sarah@stargecko.com
StarGecko.Com COMING SOON! Star Quality Leopard Geckos
Specializing in Hypotangerine Tremper Albinos

I thought they were the same thing? Guess not, lol.
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Geckos will someday rule the world!

4.7.1 Leopard Geckos
2.1.0 Chihuahuas
2.1.0 Rottweiler Mix
1.0.0 Siamese Cat
1.0.0 Dwarf Hamsters

Josh
----------------------------------

I don't see the point in screenlids. Seriously, they can't climb glass or escape, so why have them? I don't have any on mine. And I haven't needed one. Just my two cents.
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Geckos will someday rule the world!

4.7.1 Leopard Geckos
2.1.0 Chihuahuas
2.1.0 Rottweiler Mix
1.0.0 Siamese Cat
1.0.0 Dwarf Hamsters

Josh
----------------------------------

1. Does anyone here breed/sell geckos for a living? If so, how do you have space?
2. I read that they lay unfertilized eggs.... so I take it they can only be fertilized at certain time periods? Is there like a mating season?
3. Hmm what do you reccomend more for feeding? Crickets and meal worms will be easiest.
4. What is the going price for a 20 gallon? I called every pet store nearby, got everywhere from 50-75 estimated
5. What is a good price to pay for averge leopards?
6. How many shelters/basking spots do I need per leopard?
7. Wait, geckos don't climb glass/plastic?

Leopard Geckos don't. Crested Geckos, Anoles, Day Geckos, Tokay Geckos do. I paid about 35 for my 20G L tank that did house a male and female at the time. But I found it rather unneeded, especially when the male would want to mate with the female and she didn't want it. So I moved him into a 10G and left my female in the 20G Long until she is done laying eggs. I feed my gecoks Mealworms/Superworms/Crickets/(Occasional)Waxworm. Most should breed anytime, really, unless you cool them down (which isn't needed). They can lay unfertilized eggs. They don't need "basking spots". Just an UTH, and I'd say 1 hide per gecko. I think it's more hassle, in my opinion, to try to house multiple geckos together. It's just easier to make sure that they have "Their time" in the humid hide and what not.
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Geckos will someday rule the world!

4.7.1 Leopard Geckos
2.1.0 Chihuahuas
2.1.0 Rottweiler Mix
1.0.0 Siamese Cat
1.0.0 Dwarf Hamsters

Josh
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