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Care sheet

Leopard Gecko

Eublepharis macularius

Eublepharidae · Squamata

BeginnerIUCN LC
Activity
🌆 Crepuscular
Temperament
Docile
Adult length
7–11 in
Adult weight
45–90 g
Lifespan (captivity)
15–20 yrs
Native range
Afghanistan, Pakistan, northwestern India — arid rocky scrubland

Care guide

Overview

Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius) — The most commonly kept pet lizard. Docile, small, and hardy when the basics are right: a thermal gradient with a warm belly spot, three hides (warm, cool, and a humid hide for shedding), and a safe substrate. Leopard geckos are one of the few geckos with eyelids and are ground-dwelling rather than climbing. Historic advice said "no UVB needed"; modern husbandry recommends low-level UVB for long-term health. Watch for tail thickness as a condition indicator — a thick, plump tail is a healthy tail. Never pull on the tail — it will drop.

Environment

Climate

Cool side
70–75 °F
Warm side
80–85 °F
Basking spot
90–95 °F
Nighttime
65–72 °F
Humidity (ambient)
30–40%
Shed-cycle boost
60–80%

Environment

UVB lighting

Required?
Optional / beneficial
Fixture type
T5 HO
Distance to basking
12–18 in
Replacement interval
Every 12 months

Housing

Enclosure

Orientation
Terrestrial
Bioactive setup
Suitable
Minimum size by life stage
  • Hatchling10 gallon / 20"L x 10"W x 12"H
  • Juvenile20 gallon long
  • Adult40 gallon / 36"L x 18"W x 18"H minimum

Housing

Substrate

Depth
2–4 in
Safe options
topsoil/play sand mixexcavator clayceramic tilepaper towel (quarantine)
Avoid
calcium sandwalnut shellcedarpine

Nutrition

Diet & feeding

Dietary type
Insectivore
Prey size by life stage
  • Hatchling1/4" crickets, small dubia, pinhead locusts
  • Juvenile1/2" crickets, medium dubia, small hornworms
  • AdultAdult crickets, medium dubia, hornworms, the occasional pinky
Feeding frequency by life stage
  • HatchlingDaily; 5–10 appropriately-sized insects per feeding
  • JuvenileEvery other day; 5–7 insects per feeding
  • AdultEvery 3–4 days; 4–6 insects per feeding
Prey ratio by body weight
Stage
Body weight
Prey (% BW)
Interval
  • Hatchling
    up to 15 g
    5–10%
    1 day
  • Juvenile
    16–35 g
    5–8%
    2 days
  • Subadult
    36–55 g
    4–7%
    3 days
  • Adult
    56 g+
    3–6%
    3–4 days

Feed prey roughly the listed percentage of the snake's current weight, at the listed interval. Use it as a starting point — adjust based on body condition, not the calendar.

Feeding thresholds
Typical hatchling weight
2–5 g
Power-feeding line
> 10% body weight
30-day weight-loss concern
> 10% in 30 days
Supplementation

Dust insects with calcium + D3 at most feedings and a reptile multivitamin (e.g. Repashy Calcium Plus, Arcadia EarthPro-A) 1–2× per week. Gut-load feeders 24–48 hours before use. MBD (metabolic bone disease) is the most common preventable illness in pet leopard geckos.

Care

Water & behavior

Water

Shallow bowl on the cool end; refresh daily.

Brumation (optional)

Brumation not required for pet animals. Some keepers cycle breeders through a 60°F rest period of 6–8 weeks.

Defensive displays
tail wavingvocalizingtail drop (if severely stressed)

Legal & ecology

Conservation

IUCN Red List
LC · Least Concern

Genetics

Morphs

Morph market
Active
Complexity
Complex

Citations

Sources

Every husbandry parameter on this page is backed by the references below. Click through to read the originals.

  1. Leopard Gecko Care Sheet

    ReptiFiles

    breeder community

    Well-referenced keeper guide for Eublepharis macularius, drawing on veterinary sources and modern husbandry research.

    Published: 2023-01-01

  2. Leopard Gecko Care

    Tree of Life Exotic Pet Medical Center

    veterinary

    Veterinary husbandry reference for Eublepharis macularius.

    Published: 2023-01-01

  3. Leopard Gecko Care Sheet

    The Bio Dude

    breeder community

    Bioactive-oriented care reference for Eublepharis macularius.

    Published: 2023-01-01