LOCUS.Scales
Species care guide
Leopard gecko
Quick sourced reference values. LOCUS Scales' full breeding/genetics toolset is built specifically for ball pythons — this page is a courtesy reference for other species.
Scientific name
Eublepharis macularius
Native range
South Asia (Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Iran)
Lifespan
15-20 years, sometimes 25-30 in captivity
Lifestyle
🌍 Terrestrial (no adhesive toe pads, doesn't climb)
Naturally low ambient humidity, but always keep access to a humid hide (shedding box) to support proper shedding.
Diet: Strict insectivore — crickets, dubia roaches, phoenix worms, dusted with calcium. Never fruits/vegetables (digestive system not built for it).
Feeding frequency: Baby: daily. Juvenile: every other day. Adult: 2-3 times/week.
Substrate: Reptile carpet or paper towel until at least 6 months old — zero impaction risk. A well-established adult can move to a soil/sand/clay mix (e.g. 60/30/10, ReptiFiles) that allows digging. Never calcium sand or plain loose sand — real impaction risk, especially in a young gecko.
UVB: Historically considered unnecessary (crepuscular species), but current research shows a real benefit to low UVB (2-7%, Ferguson zone 1) — improved activity/color/natural behavior. Always leave a real shaded zone.
🏠 Enclosure size
Adult : 15-20 gallons per individual — see the cohabitation question below before housing two together
Common questions
How many hides, and where?
Minimum 3, each large enough for the animal to fit completely curled up without spilling out: one on the warm side, one on the cool side, and a humid hide (lined with moss or damp coco fiber) essential to support proper shedding — without it, real risk of incomplete shed, especially on the toes and tail tip. Without enough hides, the animal stays permanently stressed, regardless of the rest of the setup.
Can I keep two together?
A fairly solitary species in the wild. Never two males together — they fight, sometimes seriously. Two females can sometimes cohabit, but it's not guaranteed: competition over food/hides, possible chronic stress even without visible fighting. For a first gecko, the simplest and safest option remains solo housing — it doesn't need company for its wellbeing.
Can I pick it up by the tail?
Never. Like several geckos, it can drop its tail (autotomy) if it feels threatened — a normal defense mechanism, not an emergency in itself, but one to avoid. Unlike the crested gecko where it's permanent, a leopard gecko's tail regrows — but never identical: shorter, often more bulbous, less colorful than the original. Always support the whole body when picking it up, never just the tail or just a leg.