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Leopard Geckos Are Great for
Beginners |
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originally published in Pet Care News January Issue 2004 |
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“My kids get a kick out of our gecko’s colorful antics,” said Point Pleasant, New Jersey, resident, Mary Burke, who owns a ten-year-old leopard gecko named Binky. “At feeding time, Binky likes to dramatically stalk his prey and comically twitches his tail, before he pounces upon an unsuspecting cricket.” Mount Airy, North Carolina, resident, William J. Watkins Jr., who has owned many different species of pet reptiles over the years, and harbors a preference for leopard geckos said, “Godzilla, my leopard gecko, is a lot friendlier than Rodan, my green iguana, who can be very aggressive.” The leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) gets its common name, because in nature it usually sports brown spots on a pale yellow background like a leopard’s coloring. However, selective breeding over the years has led to a wide variety of “designer” colors, like the gecko pictured at right. “My leopard gecko, Glenda, is so gorgeous,” said Alan R. Carter, of Sherman Oaks, California, “that many of my houseguests have called her a living work of art.” Striking visual beauty, a docile temperament, easy care, and a reasonable price tag are some of the features that have made the leopard gecko one of the more popular exotic species and an ideal pet for the beginning reptile owner. Eublepharis macularius is slower than the day gecko (Phelsuma Guttata), the type used in the TV commercials), which can be difficult to catch if it gets loose. It is gentler than the tokay gecko (Gekko gecko), which can deliver a nasty bite. Eublepharis macularius lacks the “sticky” toes, characteristic of most other species of geckos, making it solidly “terrestrial” and virtually incapable of climbing the glass walls of its aquarium and escaping captivity. “I own a lot of reptiles,” said Daniel Acon, of Rome Italy, who considers himself an amateur herpetologist. “I’ve got many different species of snakes, turtles and lizards. When my kids want to join me in my hobby, I’m most comfortable to let them handle my leopard geckos, because they’re such harmless little creatures.” “The leopard geckos are amusing when they’re young,” said Gregory Dunaj, an amateur gecko breeder from Lambertville, New Jersey. “The hatchlings can put on an aggressive display and emit a shrill high-pitched squeal. But it’s all for show. By the time they mature, after about ten months of age, they become very docile.” “The leopard gecko is a fairly forgiving species,” said Dr. Robert Desena DVM, of Marlborough, New Hampshire. “Because it is a carnivore, primarily feeding on live prey, it has simpler nutritional needs. Herbivorous reptiles can be more complex and suffer more diet-related illnesses.” The leopard gecko subsists primarily on a diet of crickets, mealworms, and waxworms. Veterinarians and pet store owners advise that for 24 to 48 hours prior to being fed to the gecko, live crickets should be “gut loaded” or “power fed” a diet heavy in nutrients essential to a gecko’s health. Live prey should also be dusted with a calcium supplement, as a calcium deficiency can present serious health problems to the leopard gecko, resulting in a softening of the bones, which can ultimately be fatal. Wendy Yarema, who sells leopard geckos at Jack’s Aquarium and Pets, in Orlando Florida, recommends lining the gecko’s tank with calcified sand that is commonly available in most exotic pet stores. “Since the gecko is prone to ingest some sand while feeding, the specialty product will add essential calcium to the lizard’s diet,” she said. “An occasional pinky mouse, or new-born baby mouse, makes a good dietary supplement,” said Tammy Landry, who sells leopard geckos at the Fish Bowl, in Milford, New Hampshire. “Pinky mice can ensure that a female leopard gecko that is used for breeding will stay strong and lay healthy eggs.” “The leopard gecko is an undemanding captive,” said Robyn Markland, co-owner of Pro Exotics, in Littleton Colorado, who annually breeds thousands of leopard geckos, which he sells to other dealers and pet stores, as well as to the general public. “It’s a very affordable lizard, generally retailing as low as $20 to $50. They seldom grow bigger than ten inches in length and don’t require much space. So a simple 10-gallon tank can be good enough for the life of the lizard. An entire setup, consisting of everything you need to house a healthy leopard gecko, can cost as little as $75.” Because they are so easy to rear that amateurs can breed them with little instruction, very few leopard geckos for sale are currently caught in the wild. Although they are indigenous to southern Asia, Pakistan, and northwest India, almost all leopard geckos on the market today have been bred in captivity for generations. Captive breeding has created a healthier stock of animals and has greatly decreased the likelihood of parasitic infestation or other diseases prevalent to animals raised in nature. Leann Christenson, Membership Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Global Gecko Association, said, “The leopard gecko is a good pet for the beginning reptile owner, because it is a hardy animal that can tolerate the mistakes of an amateur handler.” The leopard gecko’s habitat should be kept between 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit during the day with a 90 to 95 degree basking area; and the temperature should be dropped to about 72 degrees at night to simulate the environment Eublepharis macularius would experience in its nature. A happy lizard needs ample climbing and hiding spots. There should always be clean water available. Two males should never be housed together; but a male can live comfortably with a group of females. First-time reptile owners will be pleased to discover that the Internet has a wealth of information available about their new pets with interactive forums. There are several highly informative websites about geckos, including sites dedicated exclusively to Eublepharis macularius. A healthy leopard gecko should always have a characteristically fat tail, clear eyes, and should not become lethargic. As with any other pet, an owner should bring the leopard gecko in for a veterinary checkup once a year. With proper care, a leopard gecko should live 20 to 30 years. |
Since an
auto insurance company began employing a computer-generated animated
gecko as a corporate pitchman in a popular ad campaign, the demand for
the gecko as an exotic pet has soared. But anyone, who has ever cared
for a gecko will tell you that the reptile maintains its public appeal,
because the talking TV character is not the only lizard with a winning
personality.