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At Sushi dragons we are currently working with several different lines of
leopard gecko morphs including Giants/Supergiants, Mack Snows, Enigmas
and several of the multigenic combination morphs. We have several geckos
purchased from the most celebrated breeders, but we have supplemented
our projects with geckos from other hobby breeders who are as passionate
about their animals as we are of our own.
Leopard Geckos are native to the rocky, arid regions of Afghanistan. They
spend their days hiding and sleeping under rocks and branches, and their
nights hunting for insects. They are insectivorous and subside on crickets,
mealworms, waxworms and similar insects readily available at your local
petstore. Leopard geckos benefit from a low-fat, high-calcium diet.
HOUSING
For housing leopard geckos, a ten gallon tank will suffice for a single reptile
or a pair. Though more space is always welcome. Add about 10 gallons of extra
space per gecko if you want to have several in a group. No more than one male
to each enclosure. Also, watch females for signs of fighting or dominance. In
general, reptiles prefer to live solitary lives and don't always welcome cagemates.
The most important thing that a gecko needs to be healthy and happy is places
to hide. This can be anything so long as your gecko can go under it or fit inside it.
This is a basic hatchling setup
HEATING AND LIGHTING
The most important thing to remember is that leopard geckos hate
bright lights and that they require a heat gradient in their tanks.
The optimal tank environment for geckos is to have a hot side of
roughly 88 degrees and a cool side of closer to 75. This gradient
is best achieved by using a heat mat under one side of the tank. The other
side should have no additional heat source. The ambient heat from the hot
side will keep the cooler side at the right temperature. In the wild, a leopard
gecko would hide and sleep in the underbrush during the bright day and come
out onto the warm sand at night in order to hunt. The goal is to try
to replicate your gecko's natural environment in your enclosure.
SUBSTRATE
There is much debate over what substrate is the safest
to use for your gecko. The bottom line is that some geckos will eat
their substrate so you'll want to avoid substrates that will cause
impaction. The most recommended tank liners are astroturf and paper
towels. Simple, easy to clean and very safe for your gecko. Sand is used
by those wanting a more natural look, but impaction becomes an issue.
DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
Geckos are insectivores. They subsist on crickets, mealworms, superworms
and silkworms as a staple diet. Gutloading your feeders is a great way to
ensure that your gecko is getting all the nutrients and minerals it needs.
Your local petstore can supply you with a bottle of insect food that is
packed with all the essentials your gecko needs. A general rule of thumb is
to gutload at least 24 hours before feeding to your gecko to ensure that
the insect has had a chance to eat its fill.
Water is something that leopard geckos require at all times. They should
always have a shallow dish of water made available. Make sure to change
water regularly. Some geckos prefer to be misted, while others enjoy
drinking from a dish.
Leopard Geckos require calcium as well. You can dust insects with pure calcium and/or
provide it in a separate dish and let the gecko lick at it as they see fit. You
might not see your gecko doing this, but trust me they are! Babies should get
dusted prey up to five times a week, while adults only require it every two or
three feedings. This number increases for breeding females who require
additional calcium for developing eggs. Lack of calcium will eventually lead to
Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) and can lead to death. Symptoms include lethargy,
weakness and softened bones and limbs.
SHEDDING
Leopard Geckos will shed their skin on a fairly regularly basis. You might
not see them doing it, but they will eat their shed skin. If your gecko seems
to be having a difficult type shedding its skin, or if their is dried skin stuck
to their toes, increase the humidity in their tank. If all else fails, a nice
soak in warm, shallow water will soften the skin and allow the gecko to remove it.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you might have. We are
happy to help you figure out what you need to get started, or to troubleshoot
when a new situation emerges.
Copyright 2011 Sushi Dragons, LLC