Among lovers of observing the life and habits of reptiles, the most common and popular is the leopard gecko, or spotted (leopard) gecko - an unpretentious tame domestic lizard.

Spreading

These lizards are widespread in Asia - India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Iran. They prefer the arid areas of these territories, perfectly adapting to the local climatic conditions. The spotted leopard gecko is a nocturnal animal: during hot times of the day it hides from the scorching southern sun. Only at dusk do lizards go hunting.

IN natural conditions leopard gecko habitat feeding different insects, small vertebrates, including more small lizards. During dry periods, cases of eating their offspring have been recorded.

Variety of species

The leopard gecko was described by the British zoologist Edward Gray in 1827, but even today this lizard causes a lot of controversy regarding its belonging to a certain type. This is probably due to the fact that some of them have not been fully studied. Today there are five types of toothfish:

• Iranian

Lives in Iraq and Iran. Much less common in Turkey and Syria. It is distinguished by the largest size in its family and long legs.

• Hardwick's leopard gecko

This species is sometimes called the East Indian spotted. It is native to India and Bangladesh. To date, it has been poorly studied. Individuals of this species are distinguished by red-brown stripes on their backs, and in addition, in case of danger, they can make piercing sounds.

• Afghan leopard gecko

Scientists conventionally consider it a separate species, although some zoologists prefer to consider it a subspecies.

• Turkmen

This lizard lives in the southern regions of Turkmenistan. It is considered an endangered species, which is listed in the Red Book of the Republic. A special feature of this species is the presence of scales (folidosis) and the ability to make loud sounds. A rather controversial species, it is most likely a subspecies of the leopard gecko. It is distinguished by yellow transverse stripes on its tail and back.

• Leopard (spotted) leopard gecko

The species that is most often kept at home. We will talk about it in more detail.

External features

It should be noted that appearance The spotted leopard gecko can differ significantly from its counterparts living in natural conditions. This is due to the fact that in nature this gecko lives in deserts, and the domesticated spotted leopard gecko is the result of selection. But this is one of those rare cases, when human intervention was beneficial: it was possible to achieve a more saturated bright color compared to the natural one.

Today there are about a hundred different color variations - from very light to very dark. An indispensable condition is the presence of dark rings on the tail and spots on the body. It is for the spots that the gecko got its name - leopard. In addition, he drinks water like a cat, lapping it with his tongue. The eyes of the spotted leopard gecko are also similar to those of a cat - they are slightly convex and elongated.

It's pretty large lizards- length adult on average ranges from 20 to 25 cm, but sometimes representatives up to 30 cm are found. The head is triangular in shape, the paws are small with five fingers. The tail is massive. During periods of drought, the spotted toothfish accumulates the necessary liquid in it. Like most lizards, when in danger, it can shed its tail, which grows back over time, but is no longer as massive as before.

Determination of gender

Inexperienced owners of these lizards are interested in: “How to determine the sex?” The spotted leopard gecko (male) is noticeably larger than the female, it has a more powerful build, a wide neck, a massive head, a thicker tail at the base with several preanal pores (yellowish-brown small dots). The sex of a leopard gecko can be accurately determined at six months of age.

Spotted eublefar: content

Undoubtedly, the leopard gecko is an exotic pet. However, this does not mean that it needs complex care. Even an inexperienced owner will not cause big problems spotted leopard gecko. Keeping it in an apartment is not difficult at all. Some who want to buy such a lizard fear that it is a born predator, but at home it does not pose a danger to humans, since, born in captivity, these lizards are not aggressive, quickly get used to a person and very soon go into his arms. It's time to find out what you need to keep a spotted leopard gecko.

Terrarium

Of course, the first thing you need to think about is a home for your pet. A terrarium for a leopard gecko should be at least 30 x 30 x 30 cm in size. A container of this size usually contains young animals. For older individuals, the size of the terrarium should be larger - 40 x 40 x 40 cm. For three leopard geckos, a horizontal terrarium measuring 50 x 30 x 30 cm is suitable.

You can also use a vertical container, but provided that the side or back wall is designed in such a way that lizards can move freely along it, hide in shelters built into the wall, or sit on shelves. For young animals, it is not at all necessary to immediately acquire a large volume: it is difficult for them to hunt there, so they feel much more comfortable in small spaces.

However, after six months, leopard geckos begin to travel and explore the territory with interest. Many owners believe that in large quantities the spotted leopard gecko grows much faster.

Shelters

It is necessary to create several shelters for your pet throughout the terrarium: in a warm corner where the heating is located, and in a cold one. The gecko will choose for himself comfortable place for relax. The leopard gecko requires a moist chamber for molting. It should always be in a warm corner, otherwise the gecko will hibernate itself and may refuse to eat. We will tell you below how the wet chamber is set up.

Coconut halves can be used as practical, environmentally friendly, inexpensive shelters.

Temperature

Since the leopard gecko is a cold-blooded lizard, it needs heat to digest food. The most popular option is bottom heating. For this purpose, you can use a thermal cord or a thermal mat purchased from a specialized store.

At the heating site, the temperature must be maintained between +28 and +32°C. The heating is placed in one corner of the terrarium, thereby heating from a third to a quarter of the area of ​​the bottom of the terrarium. If the air temperature in the room does not drop below +22 °C, then you can turn off the heating at night. For young animals up to three months old, the heating must be turned on constantly.

Humidity

A terrarium for a leopard gecko does not require constant maintenance of humidity levels, since it is a desert lizard for which dry air is its normal habitat. But create a small wet zone(camera) is necessary. To do this, take any container, fill it with wet sand (paper, sawdust) and place it in a cool area. The gecko needs it to make it easier to shed or to rest.

Priming

We have already said that the spotted leopard gecko does not require complex care at home. So he is not too strict about the soil in the terrarium. Sand, or better yet, newsprint, especially for young lizards - perfect option. But if the owner wishes beautiful design terrarium, you should use small pebbles with rounded edges.

In addition, it should be borne in mind that the leopard gecko is an extremely curious creature and tastes almost everything that comes its way. In this regard, it is better to avoid various mixtures and fillers.

Lighting

Leopard geckos are crepuscular animals, so they do not require lighting. You can install a regular 40 W incandescent lamp (mirror), which will help create an imitation of solar heating.

Water

Any low container is suitable for a drinking bowl. Leopard geckos drink clean, settled water, lapping it with their tongues, like kittens. Meanwhile, these lizards, like all geckos, love to lick droplets of fresh water, so there is no urgent need for a drinking bowl when sprayed every day, although it will not be superfluous.

Nutrition

At home, leopard geckos can be fed with the following foods:

• mealworm;
• crickets;
• locusts;
• little mice;
• feeding cockroaches.

Calcium must always be present in the terrarium. To do this, it is mixed with a vitamin mixture (for better absorption) and placed in a low container.

To control the amount of food eaten, it is better to use tweezers than free feeding. With proper care and maintenance, leopard geckos can live in captivity for up to twenty years or more.

Leopard gecko - an exotic pet

The leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) is an excellent lizard for both beginners and experienced breeders of terrarium pet lizards. The leopard gecko is easy to care for and is not fussy and requires only feeding and simple maintenance once you provide it with the right habitat.

The leopard or spotted gecko is a desert dweller and leads night look life, therefore loves warmth and is more prone to active life at night time. This is an amazing lizard, it is always very interesting to watch it while feeding, and it is very funny when hunting.

Leopard geckos (leopard geckos) get along well with children, but their interactions need to be supervised. These lizards rarely bite and are very trainable. The gecko can hang onto your clothes and learn to climb onto your shoulder without any training. Incorrect handling, however, can cause stress to the animal: never lift leopard gecko by the tail (like most lizards), since it can separate it from its body.

Leopard geckos are very hardy and breed easily in captivity. There are many interesting specimens available for keeping at home. A common pattern with a light base color, covered in spots, and many color varieties (morph). The leopard gecko is found with and without spots, in many colors including albino, snowstorm, tangerine, carrot tail and other tail colors including spotted, and other variations.

Origin and description

The leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) was described by English zoologist Edward Blyth in 1854. The insectivorous lizard is native to Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. Lives in the desert, leads a nocturnal lifestyle. The leopard gecko is not listed as an endangered species.

The leopard gecko is a lizard with many spots or no spots at all, depending on the variant of the species. If there are several color variations of the leopard gecko with a typical pattern, as well as albinos, snowstorm, tangerine and other popular varieties. Young geckos do not yet have spots, but they appear as they mature.

Leopard geckos grow up to 20 cm in length and weigh 150-220 grams. The same care is required for lizards of any variety of this species. Leopard geckos live 5-7 years, and with good care up to 20 years.

You can distinguish a male from a female by the protrusion at the base of the tail. In the female it is one long bulge; in the male it is divided into two parts.

Feed and feeding

Leopard geckos are fed crickets and mealworms. Other worms can be offered, but the amount in the diet should be limited. It is advisable to use grasshoppers or crickets from commercial feeds offered for sale. This is already fully prepared food, rich in vitamins and minerals necessary for the lizard. It is recommended to add calcium and vitamins to any food offered to these pets.

Since leopard geckos are nocturnal animals, they will be deficient in vitamin D3. To compensate for its deficiency, you can add fluorescent lamp with UV, or again include vitamin supplements with calcium in the diet. Lizards require vitamin D3 in their diet or they will not be able to absorb calcium.

Geckos should be provided with a bowl of water, preferably dechlorinated (distilled). If you want to use a dechlorinator to get rid of chlorine, use Repti Safe - it will not only remove all harmful impurities from the water, but will also make it as close to natural as possible and reduce the risk of stress and disease by saturating it with electrolytes.

Terrarium

One leopard gecko can be kept in a 37 liter terrarium or aquarium. For two and more lizards you need a long container with a volume of 70 liters. Do not use acrylic tanks to keep any lizards - heat lamps can melt the acrylic. Leopard geckos must have a hiding place where they will sleep during the day. They also like to climb, such as on vines and other driftwood, which can be purchased at a pet store.

Be careful when using calcined sand as bedding. If sand is the only source of calcium, reptiles may begin to consume large quantities of it, which will affect the lizard's gastrointestinal tract. This can eventually create a blockage and kill the gecko. It is better to use regular sand, sawdust, nut shell bedding and others natural materials, not prone to fluid accumulation.

These lizards cannot be kept outside a terrarium (aquarium). Outdoors, temperatures can fluctuate unpredictably and there is a risk of tick infestation.

Temperature

The temperature of leopard geckos should be 29-31C daytime and 22-25C at night. Because these lizards are nocturnal animals, they do not require UV light to absorb calcium like many other lizards, but it can be a useful supplement for these purposes.

For lighting and warmth, you need 40-60 W incandescent lamps, located in the upper part on one side of the terrarium. The light can be white or red (infrared). You can also use blue lamps. Red and blue lamps, in addition to providing warmth, will help you monitor your pet at night. Leopard geckos regulate their body temperature themselves, moving from cold to warm areas when they need it. Therefore, by leaving the lamp on one side of the terrarium, you create both warm and cool zones for the lizards.

For additional heating, you can use a heating pad or a heater next to the terrarium. This is especially important if you use only white light for heating and turn it off at night. Hot rocks are not recommended as they can burn your geckos. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature in the terrarium to prevent overheating.

Care

Everything you place in the terrarium should be disinfected and washed weekly. This applies to food and water containers and decorations. The litter should be changed every three to four months. Products containing phenol should not be used as cleaning agents. Cleaners containing chlorine and alcohol are acceptable, but should be rinsed off thoroughly.

Leopard geckos are generally easy to care for and defecate in one area of ​​their home. Any approved product, such as Jurassi Clean, can be used for cleaning. To remove feces, you can use a scoop with holes, immediately sifting clean sand.

Behavior

Spotted lizards are nocturnal, like many desert inhabitants. They are friendly and good with children. They rarely bite and are quickly tamed; they can sit perched on a shoulder or hang on clothes.

Male leopard geckos are relatively friendly with females of their species, but two males placed together will fight to the death. Therefore, in one terrarium you can keep only one male and any number of females, provided that there is enough space.

Spotted geckos, when in danger, if grabbed by the tail, can detach it from the rest of the body. The tail will regenerate, although it will never be the same again.

Reproduction

If you can keep a male and female and have space for them to breed, you can get as many offspring as you have females. The main thing is to be able to accommodate this offspring.

It is very difficult to determine the sex of leopard geckos younger than 3-4 months visually. In adults 6-9 months old, it is quite easy to determine the sex. Males are usually slightly bulkier and have a wider head and neck than females. The male also has a pair of protuberances behind the anus at the base of the tail. The female has no bulges.

If you are not sure what gender your lizard is, add another lizard to the terrarium. If both geckos are wagging their tails from side to side, they are most likely trying to attack each other, which means they are two males.

The mating process of reptiles is tough and you might even think that the male is attacking the female. He nibbles on her tail and then slowly moves up her body until he reaches her neck.

The female spotted gecko lays one or two eggs at a time. To obtain predominantly female offspring, the incubation temperature should be 25-28C; for mixed offspring 29-32C; to obtain males 31-32.3C. Please note that the higher the incubation temperature, the more colorful the offspring will be, and the eggs will hatch faster. The incubation period is 46-60 days.

Young lizards will not eat until their first moult. The gecko should eat the shed skin as it contains vitamins and nutrients, which the lizard needs. After this, young monitor lizards begin to eat small, pinhead-sized crickets and small worms.

Leopard geckos are lizards, which belong to the leopard gecko family. The genus of leopard geckos has 5 species: Spotted, Iranian, Hardwick's, Afghan, Turkmen. The most popular for home keeping is the spotted leopard gecko, which attracts with its amazing leopard-like coloring; it is often also called the “leopard gecko,” but to see this for yourself, it is still recommended to look at its photo. But the spotted leopard gecko has earned popularity among terrumnists because it is quite easy to care for, even if you decide to get a lizard for the first time.

a brief description of

Adult leopard geckos have a body length of 20 to 30 cm: males are larger and longer than females.

Did you know? The first description of leopard geckos was made by British zoologist Edward Gray in 1827.

The body of the leopard gecko is covered with scales, the structure of which can vary depending on the habitat. Lizards have limbs of medium length: the peculiarity is that the front legs are longer than the hind legs.

The scales on the animal’s front legs are uniform and flat; on the leopard gecko’s forearms there are scaly protrusions that are similar in appearance to the dorsal tubercles of geckos. The hind legs are characterized by scales that are lumpy and conical in shape.

The animal's claws have an upper, lower and two side plates. Thanks to their claws, animals can easily move on soft coverings and surfaces.

The animal's head is completely covered with large but flat scales. Its structure is heterogeneous, has a polygonal structure, and also, approaching the eye area, the granularity of the scales decreases.
Eublephar has enough a long tail, it makes up 1/3 of the animal’s entire body. The tail is characterized by a sharp end and a convexity, which is located in the middle.

Like other lizards, this animal can shed its tail, and in its place a less beautiful and smaller appendage appears.

Depending on the type of lizard, they have characteristic colors, which differ in a variety of shades and patterns in the form of spots, stripes and other shapes. The animal's eyes are convex, round, slightly elongated.

What to look for when purchasing

When going to a specialized store, you need to remember that these animals cannot be very cheap, therefore, if you are offered to purchase an animal at a discount or for a symbolic price, it is better to refuse.

The cheapest are considered to be leopard geckos, which have a “Normal” color type, but if you want to purchase a rarer specimen, then it will cost, accordingly, more.
Before buying an animal, it is important to find out about the conditions of its keeping and the genetics of its parents.

Of course, it will be very difficult to confirm the seller’s words, so it is better to take care to obtain a guarantee for the return of the animal in the event of an incurable infection, which may appear after some time.

It is necessary to carefully examine the leopard gecko with the seller: check the tail, paws, and eyelids so that they do not have dried skin. Make sure there are no wounds or scratches.
At first, the animals should be very active, slightly aggressive, because the animal experiences stress when there is a stranger.

Important! If you purchase a leopard gecko, which will not be your first animal of this family, then you must observe a temporary quarantine in order to be on the safe side and make sure that the animal does not have helminths or infections. Quarantine should last at least 2 weeks, as during this time symptoms of the disease may appear.

Sexual difference

As stated above, males are larger in size, as well as a more powerful and wider neck, a massive head, a thick tail, which has a number of anal pores, as well as bulges behind the cloaca.
But the gender of a leopard gecko can be accurately determined after 6 months of age. There is also Wagner’s method, which allows you to determine the sex of a leopard gecko immediately after birth.

To do this, you need to use the powerful LED flashlight and shine the light into the cloaca area. If you see red lines of arteries in a given place, then it is a male, if there are no such lines, it is a female.

Selection and arrangement of a terrarium

In order to provide leopard geckos with proper maintenance and care, it is necessary to take a responsible approach to the choice of terrarium, as well as its arrangement.

To do this, it is worth considering the following indicators:

• volume;
• lighting;
• heating;
• shelters;
• priming;
• humidity;
• ventilation;
• availability of water.

Lighting

It is prohibited to place the terrarium in the sun, but leopard geckos should be provided with clear daylight hours, strictly 12 hours, so for the terrarium you should purchase a special lamp that will imitate sunlight and emit ultraviolet light.
You should also take care of a night light that will imitate moonlight. During the day, the lamp is used to provide additional heating.

Heating

In a favorable microclimate, the leopard gecko will feel great, so you need to take care of heating the home on one side of the terrarium.

This can be done using a thermal cord or a thermal mat. Such specimens are attached externally and protected by special shells from moisture. Heating elements can also be placed inside the terrarium.
The temperature near the heating element during the daytime should be up to 31°C, at night - up to 27°C. On the opposite side of the heating element, the air temperature should be up to 27°C during the day, and up to 21°C at night.

Shelters

Due to the fact that leopard geckos lead a rather secretive lifestyle, they need to be provided with special shelters where they can hide. Pieces of bark, bamboo tubes, and large stones are suitable as shelters.
The main thing in creating a shelter is that it is well attached, otherwise the leopard gecko may collapse it and harm itself. A lot of shelter specimens, which can also be purchased for a terrarium, are presented in specialized stores.

Important! The shelter must be placed in different areas - both heated and cold, so that the leopard gecko can choose for itself where it wants to be.

Priming

In order to create favorable living conditions for a pet, he recommends using coconut fiber, pebbles, sphagnum moss, sawdust, and tree bark.
It is better to choose large objects as bedding so that the animal cannot swallow them. Often, the lower part of the terrarium is simply covered with sand, but it is important to remember that the sand must be sifted and boiled before doing this.

Humidity

To provide the necessary humidity for pets, you can use a ceramic pot or a regular one. Plastic container. You will need to make a hole in the container so that the animal can enter there.

The humidity chamber should be located on the opposite side of the heating area to avoid excessive evaporation of water.
Wet coconut shavings, wet substrate or vermiculite are placed at the bottom of the chamber. To continuously measure the humidity in your terrarium, you will need a hygrometer.

There are also special climate control systems that provide the necessary humidity. Such devices are very expensive, so if you can provide proper care for your leopard gecko, then such a camera will not be needed.

Ventilation

To ensure good ventilation in the terrarium, it is necessary to make holes in its lower part - on the opposite side from the heating place, and in the upper part - in the place where the heating is located.
This will ensure good air ventilation: it will be able to circulate throughout the entire area of ​​the terrarium and exit through the top hole.

Poor air circulation or its absence can provoke the development of fungi, dermatitis, and inflammation in the leopard gecko.

Water

A small and low container can be used as a drinking bowl. The leopard gecko does not need to provide any fountain, as for chameleons; it can drink ordinary standing water.
If you spray the terrarium daily, then it is not necessary to install a drinking bowl, because leopard geckos love to lick drops of water from the surface of terrariums. If you forget to constantly spray, then of course it is better to provide the terrarium with a drinker.

What to feed

After purchasing and arranging your home, it’s worth figuring out what exotic animals like leopard geckos eat.
Leopard geckos, like any other lizards, in nature are accustomed to feeding on spiders, insects, rodents and smaller lizards. Optimal view Crickets are considered food for leopard geckos at home.

You can also sometimes pamper your pet with zoophobes and mealworms. However, you shouldn’t get carried away, because they are considered very high in calories. IN summer period time, you can feed leopard geckos with locusts, grasshoppers, and green caterpillars of butterflies.

It is important to pay attention to butterfly caterpillars so that they are hairline: There is a possibility that they are poisonous. You should always remember: if you feed an animal with insects of unknown origin, then there is a huge risk that such food will not suit the animal. It is strictly forbidden to feed earthworms and maggots to leopard geckos. Adults can sometimes be given pieces of fruit in small quantities, but it is worth remembering that citrus fruits should not be offered.

Amount of food for leopard geckos depending on age:

• at the age of up to 1 month, leopard geckos are fed up to 2 times a day, giving 1 small cricket at a time;
• up to 3 months, give 2 medium-sized crickets once a day;
• up to 6 months, feed every other day, giving 5 large crickets at a time;
• up to a year, you should give 6 large crickets at a time 3 times a week;
• starting from a year, you can give up to 10 large crickets at a time and feed up to 3 times a week.

How to contact

Leopard geckos are considered very sociable pets, especially when they get used to their owners. If you often take him in your arms, then over time the reptile will get used to it and will not resist, but on the contrary, it will willingly go into your arms.
There is no need to squeeze the animal tightly during communication so as not to injure it. Also, you shouldn’t grab the leopard gecko to pull it out of the terrarium - you can just put your hand up and it will climb into your palm.

If the animal is afraid, then you should carefully place your finger under the belly, and use the other to clasp the body and confidently take it; you can hold it with your other hand. It is not recommended to handle very small leopard geckos until they get stronger and get used to their habitat. Approximately 2 weeks after birth, you can accustom the animal to your hands. Babies are especially active, they can run very quickly over your hands and accidentally slip off, so it is important not to hold them on high altitude, because they can be seriously injured during a fall.

A very playful animal can also run away and hide in the apartment, but it is not recommended to move furniture in search of the animal, so as not to crush it: it is better to wait for a while and the leopard gecko will definitely appear on its own.

It is better to pick up your pet before feeding, because leopard geckos, although small, are quite smart animals: they build clear relationships between your appearance and food intake.
That is, when you appear, this is a sign to the leopard gecko that he will soon be fed. Another reason not to pick up your leopard gecko after feeding is that it may simply regurgitate food or defecate.

Possible diseases

The most common diseases and problems that can occur in leopard geckos are:

• Helminth damage

A drug such as Profender or ReptiLife is suitable for this. It is also necessary to provide your pets with plenty of fluids containing Regidron, which must be diluted in water according to the instructions.

• Rickets

This disease is non-contagious, but very dangerous if treatment is not started in time. A sign of rickets is deformation of the paws: such a symptom can occur as in early age, and in more mature ones, with a lack of calcium.
Keep an eye on the animal: if it touches the ground with its belly, moves very slowly, or has difficulty standing on its legs, treatment should be started immediately.

At further development Rickets may cause curvature of the spine, which over time can completely collapse and lead to the death of the animal.

If you start the disease and wait until the animal is poorly able to stand on its legs or cannot move at all, only special injections at a veterinary clinic will help. To treat rickets, you must contact a veterinarian so that he can prescribe treatment and prescribe essential vitamins and minerals that the leopard gecko’s body lacks.

• The animal may also develop fungal diseases, which requires contacting a specialist for diagnosis and treatment. In this case, it is better not to try to treat the animal yourself, so as not to worsen the condition.

Breeding young animals

The mating period for leopard geckos begins at the end of February and ends at the beginning of May. Females can lay eggs until the end of August.

In order to breed offspring of leopard geckos, it is necessary to prepare them for mating. Particular attention should be paid to the nutrition of females and fatten them well.
Also, females must be at least 11 months old. It is important to provide females with supplements that contain calcium to ensure the health of the offspring and the animal itself.

When the female is prepared and ready to mate, you can begin to place the male next to her. After mating, eggs appear within a month.

Further clutches may occur at intervals of 10 to 20 days. The female should be provided with a constant intake of food.

Naturally

After the female lays her eggs, they need to be provided with sufficient temperature for them to hatch. Without an incubator, this will be extremely difficult, but you can still try to warm the eggs using 24-hour artificial lighting.
Due to the fact that maintaining desired temperature in this case, it is a very difficult process; at home, most likely, you will not succeed.

If you want to get young leopard geckos, it is recommended to purchase an incubator that will provide the eggs with the necessary heat and other conditions for raising the young.

Incubation

During laying, the female independently digs holes in the substrate and lays eggs there. After this, you should take the eggs and put them in an incubator for 45-55 days and keep them at a temperature of up to 33°C. The temperature in the incubator directly affects the sex of the young: if the eggs are kept in the incubator at a temperature of 27-28.5 ° C, then, most likely, females will hatch. And if you keep it at a temperature of 28.5 to 33 ° C, then males will hatch.

Caring for young animals

When the babies hatch, they must be immediately moved to a separate container that has artificial heating. Provide moist bedding in the container to ease the babies' first shed.
After molting, which occurs within 4 days, food should be offered to the babies. Young animals can be kept separately or in groups, but provided they are of the same age.

Did you know? Eublepharis in wildlife live less than in captivity. At the same time, females live up to 8 years of age, and males - up to 10 years of age. At home, leopard geckos live up to 30 years of age.

Thus, it is worth noting that the leopard gecko is a fairly unpretentious animal, and keeping it at home should not cause much trouble, of course, only if you provide it with a normal habitat.

Leopard geckos are considered one of the easiest lizards to keep. They make excellent pets for older children and adults. They essentially live on the ground and although they can climb slopes, their abilities are limited. Being nocturnal animals, they become most active at this time of day. Baby geckos can be gentle and sensitive, so children younger age must be very careful when handling.

Leopard geckos can live for about 20 years or more. They don't need much space and their needs can be easily met in any home. As for the color, it can be either solid or spotted. However, there is no difference in care and maintenance between regular and spotted leopard geckos.

Eublefar: maintenance and care

Once the lizard recognizes its owner, it will not mind being interacted with. Reptiles rarely bite or scratch, but they will try to defend themselves if they are scared. Leopard geckos are more at risk if they are dropped. Gentle, regular handling of small lizards is essential. When lizards rise, they need to be supported by hand.

In leopard geckos no smell if you care for them properly. It is important to make sure they eat the food they are given before giving more. You need to learn as much as you can about your pet's diet, as giving them more food than they need can cause problems. Their droppings are too small and dry and should be removed as soon as they are discovered. They don't produce urine, so if their home is cleaned regularly, it won't need to be cleaned as often as another pet's home. It is recommended that you clean and disinfect them regularly at home using a reptile-safe disinfectant, but under normal circumstances you will need to do this once a month.

It is important to always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after feeding or handling your lizard. Also wash your hands after handling any of their equipment. Always supervise children to make sure they do not bring the gecko near their mouths.

You need to start by disinfecting the terrarium, you can wipe it white vinegar. Do not use bleach or other harsh chemicals to clean the terrarium.

Geckos are easy to feed as they only eat insects. You should try to avoid feeding one type of insect all the time and vary their diet between:

• Crickets;
• Locusts;
• Wax worms;
• Mealyworms.

Insects included in the gecko's diet must be in good condition and fed well in advance of being given to the lizard. There are several foods available for insects that ensure they are nutritious. It is better to feed in the evening when the gecko will be more active. Providing a small quantity calcium powder may be beneficial for your gecko as it promotes healthy growth and bone development. As a guide feed small lizards every other day, whereas adults should be fed every two to three days.

Although they do not drink water as often as other animals, fresh water should be available at all times in a small bowl. Spraying baby geckos with water is also helpful until they learn to reach the water bowl. Lizards will drink small droplets just like they would drink morning dew in the wild.

Breeding leopard geckos

Typically, female leopard geckos are not sexually mature until they weigh 45 grams and are 9-10 months old. North of the equator, geckos experience a breeding season that lasts from January to September. Lizards that hatch late in the year may not begin laying eggs until April of the following season. Females should be stopped feeding 10 days before cooling and then kept in cool temperatures with water available 24/7 for six to eight weeks. These geckos require a box.

When introducing a female leopard gecko to a male, the first thing that can be heard is the male creating a tail vibration. It sounds like a very fast cracking sound. The receptive female is completely motionless while the male grabs her neck and engages in copulation. Successful mating takes two to three minutes. After this, you need to take the female leopard gecko from the male.

Females of this gecko lay eggs 16-22 days after mating. Once the breeding season begins, females can be expected to lay eggs every 15 to 22 days for four to five months. Leopard geckos can lay one or two eggs after the first mating of their lives, resulting in 8 to 10 eggs maturing in the first year. Leopard geckos can produce between 80 and 100 eggs during their lifetime.

How to determine gender?

Leopard geckos of both sexes are very similar, especially if you can't pick them up and look at their bellies. Having purchased a gecko directly from a breeder, they may already know the sex of the animal, since males and females are incubated at different temperatures. But if you don't know the gender, don't worry. Determining gender is easy.

Sometimes the hardest part about sexing leopard geckos is simply keeping them still. Young geckos, unlike adult geckos, often have less pronounced differences. As a rule, you can determine the sex of geckos between three and four months of age. The differences between male and female geckos are quite noticeable. There are several key traits to look for to determine the sex of a leopard gecko.

How to keep leopard geckos healthy?

While they are given proper food, care, attention and appropriate environment, geckos are generally free of problems. Providing warmth, food and vitamins is the most important aspect of their care to avoid long-term problems.

A representative of this species will be brightly colored, with a dense tail, with strong legs, and will also be active in search of food at night. It was previously thought that reptiles could carry diseases that could infect humans. This is true for all animals, including dogs and cats, and it is no exception when it comes to reptiles. Personal hygiene is just as important for reptiles as it is for all other types of pets. Pet owners should always wash their hands after handling the animal, and pet food bowls should be washed separately.

Naturally, all lizards lose their skin, which comes off in small pieces. Sometimes you should help them get rid of their skin. This helps them gain access to the moist area. This action may involve providing the terrarium with moist moss to help them shed their old skin. This is especially important if it becomes noticeable that the skin is peeling around the eyes or legs.

Leopard gecko is the scientific name of the leopard gecko, which is not only common in wildlife, but can also be kept in. There is another common name among people, which is associated with the presence of spots on the body - “leopard”.

Spotted leopard gecko

Reptile lovers can have an interesting pet at home - a leopard gecko, which gets along well with people. Lizards do not require special care and are clean. The main characteristics of reptiles include:

1. They are nocturnal, so you won’t be able to admire your pet often during the day.
2. The weight of the leopard gecko depends on the conditions under which the reptiles are kept, so an adult reaches approximately 45 g. As for the body length, it is most often 20 cm, but there are individuals up to 30 cm.
3. The head is large and triangular in shape. The eyes are elongated and bulging, similar to those of a cat. Lizards have thin feet with five toes.
4. Geckos have different colors, so there are approximately 100 colors.
5. The lifespan of a leopard gecko depends on the conditions of detention, but on average this parameter is 20 years.
6. The tail of such reptiles is massive and thick, and the lizard can throw it off as a result of injury. The next tail will be narrower and shorter than the previous one.
7. Another important point, which is worth paying attention to - how to determine the sex of a leopard gecko. The male is larger and has a wide neck, a massive head and a thicker tail at the base. You can accurately determine gender from six months.

Character of the leopard gecko

These reptiles are similar to humans because each individual has its own unique character. For example, one lizard will be tame, while another will not tolerate tactile contact. When a gecko doesn't like something, it will make a sound similar to children's squeaks. More often, the spotted leopard gecko has an easy-going character and, what is most interesting, the lizard can distinguish its owner from other people.

Varieties of leopard geckos

Today, there are five main types of such geckos:

Eublefar - content

To keep your pet healthy and live a long life, you need to take proper care of it. It is important to equip housing suitable for the reptile, which must meet all the requirements. The basic rules include the need for daily care of the terrarium. Keeping and caring for a leopard gecko involves disinfecting not only the main aquarium, but also containers for food and water, as well as decorations. Use products containing chlorine and alcohol, but phenol is prohibited.

Terrarium for leopard gecko

Choosing a home for a pet must be approached responsibly, since its health, growth rate and life expectancy will depend on it. It is important to consider the following features.

1. Size. For one lizard, a cube with an edge size of 30-40 cm will be enough. For a group of reptiles, a terrarium measuring 50x30x30 cm is suitable.
2. Accessories. The spotted leopard gecko, the maintenance of which does not require large expenses, needs shelter - special shelves located on the side walls. For example, part of a clay pot can be used as a house. You can use driftwood on which the lizard can walk. It must first be scalded with boiling water and treated with a solution of potassium permanganate. You also need to place a large stone in the terrarium.
3. Litter. This required condition To decorate the terrarium, you can use special paper or soil of the appropriate fraction.
4. Heating. Without heating, the leopard gecko will not be able to exist normally. It is best to use a thermal mat that can be attached to the bottom of the terrarium. A specific place should be heated to 32-40 degrees, and the overall temperature inside the terrarium should be 26-28 degrees.
5. Lighting. Artificial lighting is not necessary since reptiles see well in the dark, but a couple of light bulbs can be used to provide additional warmth.
6. Humidity. For reptiles, it is important that this parameter does not exceed 45%. To do this, spray every day.

Soil for leopard geckos

Do not put sand and fine gravel on the bottom of the terrarium, as lizards can swallow them, which will worsen the work digestive system and can even cause death. To keep a leopard gecko, it is better to use stones of such a size that the pet cannot swallow them. You can put a plastic mat on the bottom that imitates grass.

How to care for a leopard gecko?

It is important not only to properly build a house for a reptile, but also to carry out daily care. It is necessary to properly care for the terrarium and keep it clean. At home, the leopard gecko chooses one place in the corner to relieve itself, so cleaning should not be a problem. Great importance has power supply that must meet existing requirements.

What to feed your leopard gecko?

A favorite food for reptiles are crickets, which are available in pet stores, but you can breed them yourself. Another option is the Turkmen cockroach. Leopard geckos' diet may include Madagascar cockroach larvae and mealworms. Before giving your pet insects, it is recommended to give it different greens. Fruits, vegetables and others herbal products Leopard geckos do not eat. When feeding, keep in mind a few rules:

1. It is best to give food by hand or using tweezers.
2. There should always be a drinking bowl with water in the terrarium and it needs to be updated once a day. It is important that the container has low edges.
3. Individuals over a year old should receive food 2-3 times a week. A leopard gecko can eat up to five crickets at a time. Up to a month, the lizard is given a test 1-2 times a day, and at the age of 1-3 months. give two insects once a day. The older the pet, the less often it is fed.

Breeding leopard geckos

If you want to get offspring from your lizards, it is recommended to use an additional terrarium, in which you need to place the female for several days, since this will stimulate the mating season. After five days, she can be returned to the male, and if he is ready for the process, he will begin to vibrate his tail and click. During mating season The “man” will bite his chosen one.

Pregnancy in leopard geckos lasts approximately 1.5 months. When the female is ready to lay her eggs, she will dig a hole in the terrarium. It is important to place a closed container filled with damp soil or coconut shavings (5 cm high) in the corner. Make a hole on one side so the female can enter and lay eggs. Duration incubation period 45-70 days. During the season, the female lays no more than four pairs of eggs, about every three weeks.

Diseases of leopard geckos

With proper care, reptiles rarely get sick, but there is a list of diseases that can occur in such lizards. Pay attention to the behavior and condition of your pet in order to determine the presence of a disease in time and visit a veterinarian.

The appearance of cracks, peeling and discoloration of the skin to white on the body indicates that molting is beginning. It is recommended to then install a wet chamber in the terrarium, for example a closed container with a small entrance and a moist substrate. At home, the spotted leopard gecko sheds its skin once every 1-2 months, and in small ones once every 2 weeks. Don't worry if the lizard ate the shed skin, this is normal. It is important to carefully examine the reptile during this period to ensure that no old skin remains, and if necessary, carefully remove any residue yourself.

Vitamins for leopard geckos

The most popular supplement for insectivorous reptiles is REPASHY Calcium Plus. It is a mixture of calcium, vitamins, proteins, fats, fiber and other important substances. When adding this complex, you do not need to use any other additives. REPASHY helps to increase the nutritional value of insects, and the reptile receives all the substances necessary for health. Leopard geckos must eat the supplement every day. You need to put the insects in a bag, add the powder and shake everything well, and only then give the reptile food.

Eublefar - interesting facts

There are many things associated with these reptiles interesting information, for example, these include the following facts:

1. are the only reptiles that can use their voices to produce different sounds.
2. If the lizard eggs are at a temperature of 30 degrees, then only boys will be born, and if 27, then girls will be born.
3. In the domestic leopard gecko and other geckos, the eyes are not protected by a movable eyelid, so the reptile removes dirt with its tongue.