Often people want to get a new pet for the first time, but a dog or cat is sometimes too much to handle. So look no further than the leopard gecko: the best reptile pet for beginners. I bet you’re wondering “how do I take care of a reptile”. No need to worry about that, the SDHS have created a leopard gecko care guide just for you. Under this text you will learn about leopard gecko natural history, enclosure necessities, diet, hydration, nutrition, and handling. But before we start, it is important to keep in mind the number 1 tip for getting a new pet: Do your research. You want your gecko to have a fulfilling life, so seeking out the best sources is gonna be essential for reptile care. It is also important to think about the long term details. Who will be the caretaker? How long does a gecko live? and other questions like that. We will help guide you.  

Natural History

These fat tailed geckos inhabit areas such as Afghanistan, Punjab India, and the Salt Mountain range of Pakistan. Specifically they hide in tiny crevices and holes in the ground/gravel. When they are out of their hiding places they hunt for insects on the mudflats of Pakistan. Leopard geckos will try to avoid deserts and prefer more humid areas close to the shore or rainforests, but they are still found in arid areas. When found they are often together in colonies of geckos under the ground. Most leopard geckos live on the Pothohar Plateau. This is because it ranges from 22-24 degrees C and the humidity is 30-40% which is favored by leopard geckos. 

Size, Age and Weight

Leopard geckos have a pretty distinct shape among lizards. They come in many different colors, but most of them will have their signature leopard print bodies. These geckos can live to 15 years of age but they can become fully grown in one year. Here are their size and weight ratios throughout their lifetime.

• 0-2 months old: 1.5-2 inches long, 2-5 grams 

• 2-7 months old: 5 inches long, 15-20 grams

• 7-12 months old: 6-7 inches long, 30-40 grams

• 12+ months old: 7-10 inches long, 50+ grams

After 12 months the leopard gecko will stay relatively the same weight and size with proper care.

Handling 

Rule #1 for handling leopard geckos is to NOT pick them up by the tail. Their tails can detach if they are picked up like that. Geckos store nutrients in their tails and it really hurts when they detach their tails. 

So how do you handle a leopard gecko? The best thing to do is let the gecko come to you rather than forcefully picking it up. Although if your gecko is used to being held then you can pick it up by the belly and support its body weight, legs, and arms. 

Enclosure 

Since leopard geckos are relatively small they will not need as big as a tank compared to a bearded dragon or ball python. But there are requirements on how large the tank should be. It should be 36 inches long, 18 inches wide, and high, although larger is better. In other words the tank should be at least 10 gallons to begin with, then move up to 20-40 gallons. The substrate of the tank should be paper towels, or a mix of soil and sand; avoid sand because of digestive issues.  

Heating/lighting

Almost all reptiles need heat to survive since most of them are cold blooded. So you leopard gecko is gonna need that heat. There should be 2 of your enclosures. One side should be 80-90 degrees F and the other cooler side should be 75-80 degrees F. The main source of heat should be a heat pad on the warmer side of the tank. Leopard geckos prefer the under belly heat, but heat lamps are also suitable for geckos. Avoid heat rocks as this could burn the animal. Additionally a UVB lamp is optional but it is beneficial for calcium absorption. 

Hiding Places

Geckos naturally like to hide and feel safe, so it would be essential to provide hiding places for your gecko. For every gecko there should be at least 3 different hiding places. 1 should be on the cooler side, the other should be on the warmer side, then the 3rd can be placed wherever. Additionally find foliage for the gecko tank to create a more natural environment. The cool side of the tank can also be a humid side which can have a paper towel, or vermiculite.     

Diet 

Diet and hydration are extremely important to the health of leopard geckos. The main cause of gecko deaths is the lack of proper food and water. Leopard geckos are primarily insectivorous meaning they only eat insects and other invertebrates. Good food to feed your gecko includes crickets, mealworms, and dubia roaches. Although you need to take care of the insects as much as your gecko. 

To maximize nutritional value you need to gut load your insects (nutritional feeding and hydrating your insects) and dust them with calcium. You can dust the insects by putting them in a bag then putting a bit of calcium in the bag then shaking it up. Remember to use sponges or wet cotton balls for crickets because they will drown in still water. Do not gut load your insects with cricket cubes because they have no nutritional value. Do not just feed your gecko mealworms, because this can lead to health issues. Feeding your gecko a variety of insects is essential. 

Hydration

Provide your gecko with fresh filtered water everyday. You need a shallow water bowl for your gecko to sip from and clean it daily. 

Conclusion

Leopard geckos are great pets for first time pet owners. They do not require a ton of maintenance, but they still have specific requirements to stay alive and thrive. The #1 tip for taking care of leopard geckos is, as said at the start, to do your research. Don't just look at one source, find as many as you can because every gecko is different.  

Frequently asked questions

Is it better to have 1 or 2 leopard geckos?

While it is not recommended, having 2 leopard geckos is acceptable as long as they are both female and hatch together. Male leopard geckos can be territorial and try to kill the other geckos. Additionally if you put a female and male together they will most likely breed and lay eggs. So it is recommended you get 1 Gecko by itself. 

Do leopard geckos like to be held?

This depends on your gecko's personality and how much they trust you. Usually reptiles want nothing to do with humans but if they know that you are not a threat they will allow you to hold them. However this does not mean you can go pick up wild reptiles that might be venomous.

Can leopard geckos see in the dark?

Yes they can see in the dark. Leopard geckos are crepuscular meaning they are most active at sunrise and sunset. Their eyes are well adapted for low light vision. 

My leopard gecko isn’t eating. What should I do?

Leopard geckos like a variety of food and will occasionally stop eating. Another reason can be the lack of proper temperature. Geckos and most reptiles are cold blooded and depend on temperature to digest their food. If your gecko is an adult and doesn’t eat every day then that is normal. Adults only need to eat 2-3 times per week. But if your gecko starts losing weight and their tail gets thinner, then contact a non-domestic veterinarian.   

References

• Graf, Alex. “Python Regius (Ball Python, Royal Python).” Animal Diversity Web, 2011, animaldiversity.org/accounts/Python_regius/.

• Boyer,DVM,DABVP-Reptiles, Thomas H. “Dr. Boyer the Reptile and Amphibian Vet - Pet Hospital of Peñasquitos - San Diego, CA.” Pethospitalpq.com, 2025, www.pethospitalpq.com/dr-boyer-veterinary-specialisthe-reptile-and-amphibian-vet.pml. Accessed 27 May 2025.

• “How Long Do Leopard Geckos Live?” Www.petmd.com, www.petmd.com/reptile/how-long-do-leopard-geckos-live.

• “Gecko Ranch | Leopard Gecko FAQs.” Www.geckoranch.com, www.geckoranch.com/leopard-gecko-faqs.php.