Shedding and Tail Loss
Shedding and Tail Loss
There are a few health problems a leopard gecko may face, and one of
them is tail loss. Tail loss is one of the worst things that can happen to
a gecko. If a gecko loses his tail, it will grow back, but it won’t be the
same tail as it was before. Its shape will be more like a head than a tail.
This is actually a great way of fooling predators. The new tail also won’t
have much color; in fact, it usually is plain white. The appearance of a
gecko isn’t that crucial, of course. But that isn’t the only problem with
tail loss. It can also compromise your leopard gecko’s health. A leopard
gecko that has just lost his tail is going to be weak and stressed, and you
will have to take special measures to help your pet survive it.
Another health problem your leopard gecko might have is shedding.
Many leopard geckos cannot shed normally, and there are several reasons
for this. Sometimes the tank temperature is inappropriate. Lack of particular
vitamins can be a problem as well.
Other reasons can be low humidity, or parasites. Your gecko won’t shed if
he has parasites. This happens rarely, but it can happen so don’t be
surprised. You can carefully examine the skin of your leopard gecko to see
if he has traces of parasites. They usually gather between the toes or in
cavities.
Your leopard gecko should be able to shed, and if he cannot do that
for some time he might become ill. It’s best to be proactive and, through
proper care, prevent any shedding problems your gecko might face.
Vivarium Design
terrain ranges from a hard clay soil to sandy gravel. Leopard geckos are
terrestrial lizards, meaning they live mostly on and under the ground. They
prefer to be hidden under rocks or in underground cavities. They are
nocturnal animals, so they remain hidden during the day and at dusk they
become more active.
Making an adequate home for your pet gecko is a challenge. You should
make sure that your vivarium resembles as much as possible his natural
habitat. In order to do that, you must first learn about the leopard
gecko’s origin and habitat.
The leopard gecko has a few basic cage requirements. If you plan to
set up a vivarium by yourself, there are a few things you should know
before proceeding.
The minimum size of the cage or tank recommended for one juvenile or
adult gecko is about 2 feet in length. However, it is suggested that a
gecko should be housed in a vivarium that has around 20 gallons. If you
plan to have a couple of geckos or more, then the vivarium will need to be
larger. Keep in mind that two male geckos should never be put together.
The vivarium should be deep, since leopard geckos need vertical space
so they can climb. To make your pet’s vivarium be more natural and
realistic, the first thing you will need is a hiding box. Hiding boxes are
very useful and your gecko will love it when he starts preparing to shed.
He will need something that resembles a humid cave, so make sure to
make a dark, humid box for hiding.
The flooring of a vivarium needs to resemble a gecko’s natural
environment as well. There are several ways to achieve this — and some
are safer than others.
When it comes to other vivarium decorations such as “furniture,” the
choice will come down to your imagination and time. However, make sure that
all pieces are placed stably in order to avoid them falling or shifting on
your pet if he stands on it. Keep in mind that a leopard gecko will climb
on anything he can!
The temperature of the vivarium should be controlled. An ideal
temperature range would be from 85 to 95 degrees in the open spot.
There are various ways to maintain this temperature.
Keep in mind that preparing a nice and natural vivarium for your pet
will require some time, imagination, and effort. A warm, safe, and inviting
home will make for a healthy and happy gecko.
Leopard Gecko as a Pet
any specific preparations and instructions. However, there are a few things
every potential owner should know. When you decide to get a leopard gecko
as a pet, don’t rush into it before reading up on how to take care of it.
The first thing you should know is that a lifespan of a leopard gecko
is quite long, so make sure you are prepared to make this kind of
commitment. Leopard geckos could live more than 20 years, and some could
even reach 30!
A 15-gallon tank should be enough for a couple of leopard geckos, but
if you plan to have more than one, make sure you keep only one male per
tank. Male and female leopard geckos shouldn’t be kept together unless you
want them to mate. When it comes to the tank, make sure that you decorate
it with logs or something similar so your gecko can climb and have a
somewhat natural environment. However, you should avoid sand, as your pet
might ingest it by accident and have intestinal problems. Paper works well
and is absorbent. Avoid wood shavings even though they have a nice smell;
they may pose a health risk. Whatever you are using, make sure it is kept
away from your pet’s food to minimize the risk of ingestion.
When it comes to temperature and light, leopard geckos will not
require any special UV lights. They prefer a dim light, so you could use an
incandescent or red bulb. When it comes to the optimal temperature during
the day, a basking spot of around 31 C (88 F) with a gradient to
approximately 24 C (75 F) would be ideal. For the night, the temperature
can drop to a gradient of 21-24 C (70-75 F).
Leopard geckos need to have water at all times. The water dish should
be shallow and cleaned regularly. When it comes to food, leopard geckos
prefer insects. You should feed them various crickets, mealworms, and
waxworms. All of the insects need to be gut loaded before you feed them to
your leopard gecko (check with pet store). They also need to be coated with
a calcium D3 supplement (for young geckos, every feeding; for adults, every
other feeding). Young leopard geckos should be fed daily with a couple of
crickets, and adults can be given around 6-10 crickets every other day.
Never grab a lizard by the tail! This applies to your gecko, because
his natural defense mechanism will be to drop its tail. If dropped, the
tail will grow back, but the area could get infected, and the new tail
could be a different shape or color.
Leopard Gecko Habitat
Leopard Gecko Habitat
If you are thinking of keeping a leopard gecko as your pet,
you need to make him a good habitat. Preparing and making a
specific habitat for your pet should be done before you bring him home.
A change of living location is very stressful for the leopard gecko,
and living in a cold and cramped box while he is waiting for his home
to be put together won’t make him very happy.
Follow these pointers when building a home for your gecko.
The first thing you need to decide is where your pet leopard gecko
will be placed. An adult leopard gecko will be comfortable in a 10-gallon
terrarium or aquarium tank with a regular mesh lid. If you want to keep
more than one gecko, then you should consider buying a bigger
terrarium or aquarium.
Leopard geckos will mate normally just like in the wild if you put
male and female geckos together, but if you put two females or two males
together they will fight, so avoid doing that. As for the decorations and
other things you should put in the terrarium, sand is the first thing you
need because a gecko’s natural habitat is a desert. However,
sand should be kept away from the gecko’s food since he will have
a high chance to consume it and then have ingestion problems. There
are some brands of calcium-enriched sand that is designed especially
for use in lizard terrariums and aquariums, so if you plan to use
sand make sure you get the right one. Soil is also a good solution,
and shredded paper and newspapers can be used too. In any case,
if you are starting with a baby leopardgecko, try to use paper towels
instead of sand until he grows up to be an adult.
Leopard geckos are desert lizards and they certainly need a
desert-like environment, and this means that they need some heat.
There is a device called an ‘‘undertank heater’’ and it should be
attached to one of the bottom sides of the terrarium or aquarium tank.
It will provide a constant supply of heat and also a heat gradient so
that the leopard gecko can choose to go to the cooler or warmer side
of the tank when he chooses.
There is another important part of the leopard gecko’s gear —
the overhead light. This light can be placed on a timer so it can
simulate the sun during the day and go out at night.
You can also put some decoration inside the tank like a
tree branch,rock, or a log. However, before doing so, you should
always go to a reptile shop and ask what you should and shouldn’t
put inside the tank.
Building a natural-looking habitat for your leopard gecko is
important. Not only will it look attractive and exotic, it will
also make your pet feel at home.
Leopard Gecko Health
Leopard Gecko Sickness
There are a few common diseases a leopard gecko could face
during his life, but some of them could be avoided if an owner
takes proper precautions.
Here’s a look at some common health problems:
Osteodystrophy, also called Rickets, is a deficiency in calcium
usually caused by a poor diet. If it occurs, osteodystrophy will result in
a loss of bone density. It will cause crooked and stunted growth, and the
bones will become more fragile and could be fractured easily. Symptoms of
osteodystrophy are weakness, soft jaw, tremors, swollen limbs, and crooked
legs. The best treatment for this illness is correcting the gecko’s diet
and increasing his calcium intake.
Limb fractures are common if a leopard gecko suffers from
osteodystrophy. If a fracture occurs, make sure you have your pet examined
by a vet as soon as possible. Fractures are easily treatable, but improving
the diet in this case is essential.
Stomach or bowel blockages could be easily developed due to
swallowing bedding like gravel or sand. To avoid this, make sure you put
your gecko’s food in a shallow bowl away from any bedding material. Cool
temperatures can also cause constipation or a blockage.
Skin infections, burns, and cricket bites are usual causes for skin
injuries and infections. Treatment for a mild infection is Betadine or
Chlorhexidene solution, which is to be applied 2 to 3 times a day. The
treatment should last 5-10 days. For more severe infections, a change of
habitat would be needed. Dead tissue will need to be surgically removed,
and an oral treatment with antibiotics is a must.
Respiratory and mouth infections are in most cases caused by a
bacteria that will attach to a weakened gecko. Cool temperatures,
imbalanced diets, and improper care also play a role. The best treatment
for these is diet correction and environment change.
Intestinal parasites are common for leopard geckos. They could cause
weight loss, diarrhea, straining to defecate, and in some cases even a
prolapsed colon. Intestinal parasites should be treated with appropriate
medication together with a thorough cage cleaning.
Egg binding happens when a female gecko refuses to lay her eggs.
Retained eggs could be reabsorbed, but if not they must be laid or removed
surgically. The signs of egg binding are easy to spot. A female will
suddenly seem fat, especially in the belly, and her appetite will slowly
decrease. You should encourage her to lay eggs by putting her in a dark
laying box with moistened sand and warm temperatures.
Xanthomatosis or obesity is common with leopard geckos since they are
very good eaters. Their eating habits — like consuming waxworms and
mealworms more than they should — could lead them to become fat.
Xanthomatosis is an illness caused by an excess intake of fat. This can
cause severe damage to a gecko’s organs and result in a swollen abdomen.
The symptoms are a loss of appetite and loss in body weight. Treatment for
this is a high-protein diet and vitamins. Xanthomatosis could be fatal and
prevention is definitely the best approach.
Molting problems are also quite common with leopard geckos. If the
old skin is not removed, it can lead to toe loss due to bad blood
circulation and also to eye damage. Softening the skin with fresh water and
careful removal is the best treatment. You can prevent molting problems if
you keep the gecko’s cage closed with a bowl of water inside to help
humidify the air. Spraying the lizard on a daily basis could also help the
skin to shed.
Tail loss is one of the worst things that could happen to your
leopard gecko, so make sure you try to prevent this. A leopard gecko’s tail
is designed to break off if he is scared or handled roughly. You need to
hold him gently and NEVER grab him by the tail. If tail loss occurs, make
sure the stump is kept clean. Antibiotic ointment will be needed daily.
Gecko Food
Leopard Gecko Food
Selecting the right food is very important in order to maintain a
healthy gecko. Leopard geckos mainly eat insects, and that puts them
in the insectivorous type of geckos. Before you purchase a leopard
gecko, you should find a constant supplier of food for him. You could
try to find a local reptile shop in your region or you could find a
good supplier on the Internet. Leopard geckos can eat a number of insects,
and we will talk about some of those.
Crickets
Crickets come in different types, shapes, sizes, and colors. Some
crickets make noisy sounds and some don’t. There is one key rule when
feeding a leopard gecko: You should give him food that is no more than his
length, and less than half the width of the gecko’s head. Black crickets
are a lot slower than other types of crickets, and that makes them an
easier catch for your gecko.
Mealworms
Mealworms were the best choice for a leopard gecko’s diet before
crickets become available for purchase. There are some records that have
proven that some animals have the longest life span when they are fed with
mealworms. It is best to feed your leopard gecko with newly molted worms;
this reduces the amount of chitin and also increases the nutritional value
ration.
Waxworms
You should avoid giving an excessive amount of waxworms to your
leopard gecko. Waxworms have a high amount of fat content and
they can even prove to be addictive for your pet. You can give your gecko
one or maybe two waxworms a week as a treat, and that should be enough.
Locusts
It is good if you can implement locusts in your leopard gecko’s diet
because locusts offer high protein. They may be a bit too pricey, so you
can buy them from time to time and feed them to your gecko to increase his
protein levels.
Silkworms
Silkworms are not common in reptile shops and sometimes it may be a
problem to get them, but they are a great source of protein. They are rich
in vitamins and minerals as well. If you are purchasing them, do not buy
too many because they have a short lifespan — lasting only one or two
weeks.
Hatchlings and young leopard geckos should be fed 4 to 8 food items
once per day. Try to avoid feeding them more than once with
smaller amounts of food. Adult leopard geckos can be fed 4 to 10 food
items of an appropriate size, and you should do it every 2 to 3 days.
Leopard geckos usually hunt their pray at night when they live in the
wild, so it is best to place the food items after dusk in order to keep
your gecko happy.
Fun Facts
Fun Facts About Leopard Geckos
The leopard gecko is not just an ordinary lizard. This particular
species is special in many ways. Here are some interesting and
fun facts about these wonderful reptiles.
* Leopard geckos have leopard-like spots that cover their body.
Their base background color is yellow or orange, but through captive
Breeding many color variants have appeared.
* Many geckos have toe pads that allow them to climb on vertical
walls and on the glass of a terrarium. Leopard geckos, however, do
not have toe pads; instead, they have small claws.
* Leopard geckos are very gentle, which separates them from
the rest of the lizards and makes them great as pets. You really need to
provoke leopard gecko in order to make him angry, and even if he is angry
he usually won’t bite you.
* Nearly all geckos have a voice! Leopard geckos have a voice that
resembles a small ‘‘bark.’’ They will use it if agitated.
* Leopard geckos can live 20 years in captivity, and in some cases
they can live even up to 30 years.
* Leopard geckos are nocturnal animals. They like dim light and they
come out at night, and sleep during the day.
* Leopard geckos are immune to scorpion stings.
* Leopard geckos are great pets. You can play with them and they are
not aggressive at all.
* A housed leopard gecko will eat bugs and bugs only, so be sure to
find a specialized pet shop that sells them. The gecko likes to eat
waxworms too, but avoid giving them too many because they contain
a lot of fat. You can give them to your gecko as a treat once a week.
Gecko Selection
need to select the right leopard gecko. The choice should be done carefully
and you should already have a few things prepared.
Think about the pattern and colors you would prefer. You need to like
the way he looks. The next thing is knowing your pet. You need to be well
informed about his habits, how to feed him and when to feed him, and you
should have a vivarium already set up.
Next is finding the adequate pet shop where you will purchase your
pet. There are many pet shops (herp shops) that sell exotic pets such as
leopard geckos, iguanas, snakes, spiders etc. There are also breeders that
devote their time to breeding specific species, and reptile expos where you
can find a variety of leopard geckos for sale.
Exotic pets are specific and they need specific care. They also eat
different food than cats, dogs, parrots, turtles, and other more common
pets. Knowing more about them will help greatly and will stop you from
making mistakes.
When purchasing, it is important to select a healthy leopard gecko.
It is fairly easy to notice a leopard gecko that has not received proper
care. Here are a few tips to help you select a healthy pet:
1. Look for a lively gecko, one that looks like he’s on alert. When
you approach his cage and the gecko attempts to hide, it is definitely a
healthy one. If the gecko does not acknowledge your presence, he could be
ill.
2. Examine the gecko’s body and limbs, which need to be strong and
not limp or show any signs of bone breakage.
3. The skin of a healthy gecko is lustrous. If you notice some old
pieces of skin attached to his body, it is definitely a gecko that hasn’t
received proper care.
4. A healthy gecko should be well-fed, so when purchasing make sure
you check for any signs of malnutrition. These signs will be visible on the
tail and hip region. A gecko that has been starving will have pelvic bones
visible under his skin, while a well-fed gecko will show just the faint
outlines of the bones.
5. Make sure you look for any signs of parasites. These will look
like red specks spread on the skin. Pay attention to the neck, eye region,
the leg base, and the rectal opening.
6. Finally, examine the leopard gecko for any signs of injury. It
could be a broken tail or missing toe. However, if a gecko has a toe that
is fully healed or a regenerated tail, it should not cause you to reject
him as a potential pet.
Leopard Gecko Types
Color and Pattern Variations of a Leopard Gecko
Leopard geckos are very attractive and unique. An average
Leopard gecko is yellow with black dots, but there are many pattern
and color variations available. Many breeders are developing new
pattern variations and coming up with amazing new phases.
Let’s start by explaining a few commonly used terms: color, pattern,
and phase (morph). When referring to color we mean the base color of a
gecko’s skin. Pattern is commonly used to describe the arrangement of
black dots on a gecko’s back. Phase (morph) is the whole collection of
selectively bred traits that affect a gecko’s final appearance.
When choosing a leopard gecko as a pet, always go by your gut
feelings. You need to appreciate his looks and beauty.
There are many popular morphs of leopard geckos available on the
market. These are the most sought-after geckos:
Albino/Amelanistic — This leopard gecko is cream-colored and
has pink eyes. Many reptile hobbyists prefer albino pets simply because
they look unique, and this is why a need for this variation has arisen. When
it comes to albino morphs, there are also Albino/Amelanistic Patternless
geckos available. This variation has no spots.
Jungle Leopard — This morph is actually the first leopard gecko
With stripes ever produced. This phase/morph varies and can produce
Totally different and unique geckos. There are also two sub categories
of this phase: the ‘‘bandit’’ jungle and ‘‘four-eyed’’ jungle leopard gecko.
The bandit jungle leopard gecko has a very broad and dark band between
the eyes and across the nose. The four-eyed jungle gecko has two white
circles, usually with a centralized black dot, one over each of the eyes.
Normal/Wild Type — This is a typical pattern of a leopard gecko. It
consists of a couple of dark and transverse body bands and three to four
dark tail rings. It also has a lot of dark spots on the body and head that
are mixed with a tan/cream color.
Striped — This is an attractive variation of a leopard gecko. It has
a light-colored stripe that goes all the way from the top of the head, down
the back toward the tail end.
There are many variations of colors and patterns available for the
leopard gecko. Whichever variation you prefer or choose, this gecko is a
unique and exotic pet that — like all pets — requires care, love, and a
comfortable environment.
Breeding Leopard Geckos
you know all about this specie. Keep in mind that breeding geckos comes
with risks, and it shouldn’t be taken lightly.
When it comes to breeding, if done properly it is relatively easy
once you have the female and male geckos. However, do not house a female
and male together because it can cause stress on the female and trigger
some health issues.
Making a mistake by putting two females or two males together can be
disastrous, and even fatal for one of the geckos, so make sure you know the
gender of each of your leopard geckos before placing them together.
Unfortunately, it is difficult to determine the gender of a young
leopard gecko, especially a baby. Contrary to other reptiles, the gecko’s
appearance and head size won’t tell you. Instead, you need to check the
vent, which is the base of the gecko’s tail. Both of the genders will have
the femoral pores in the shape of ‘‘V’’ at the vent. However, a female’s
femoral pores will look much fainter than a male’s. Males will also have
two hemipenal bulges below the vent.
Leopard geckos need to be mature before you even think about breeding
them, so make sure they are at least 1 year old. The female shouldn’t be
too young and she needs to be healthy and not underweight.
The mating process itself won’t be noticeable, but if the mating was
successful you will notice bite markings on the female. The mating pair
needs to be kept together for a few days — up to a week.
When the eggs start developing, you will notice that the female has
gained weight. The first clutch usually consists of only one egg, but it
can happen that they come in pairs. After 4-6 weeks, the female needs to
lay her eggs.
For the first year don’t expect many eggs, but keep in mind that
leopard geckos can lay up to 10 eggs at a time.
Prepare a laying box where your female gecko will lay her eggs. Fill
the box with around 1-2 inches of damp perlite or vermiculite. You can find
these at a garden shop. The laying box will give you some time before the
eggs start to dehydrate. If a female does not lay her eggs in the lay box,
they won’t be fertile. However, if you catch them in time before they
dehydrate, try to incubate them.
For this process, you will need an incubator to ensure that the
gecko’s eggs have a constant temperature. If any temperature fluctuations
occur during the incubation process, deformities may result.
The eggs’ incubation lasts for 40-60 days. The embryo will develop
faster in higher temperatures. Around a week before the egg hatches, you
will notice that it is somewhat swollen.
When a baby gecko starts to emerge, it will use a tooth to break the
egg’s shell. The tooth serves only for this purpose and a gecko will lose
it afterward. The process of hatching is fairly quick, so when it starts be
prepared to care for a newborn leopard gecko!
