Leopard geckos are amazing first reptiles for beginners and those wishing to add to their existing reptile collection. After a bit of time and work, you’ll be able to have your new acquaintance up and running in no time. You’ll be able to choose a gecko that fits your budget thanks to a wide variety of morphs and pricing. Let’s check out some important things to know before getting a leopard gecko.
The Use Of Real Live Insects Is An Absolute Need
For leopard geckos to remain healthy, live insects must be eaten, like wet food, Dubai roaches, waxworms, and crickets. A leopard gecko isn’t the pet for you if you don’t want to feed them bugs. Insects of various kinds are available commercially and should be given a powdered, nutritionally balanced meal before being introduced to the gecko – a gut loading procedure. Pet shops and internet retailers provide simple stomach kits that include containers for the bugs and the right food.
To ensure the lizard gets all the nutrition it needs, insects must be dusted with vitamin / mineral powdered supplements before even being served to the reptile. Adult geckos should be fed two medium-sized insects for every inch of their length, as a general rule. Insects should not exceed the gecko’s head width in height. Young geckos should be fed every day until they reach an adult length of 8 inches, at which point they can be fed every day.
Know Leopard Gecko Mood, Treatment, and Conduct
Their calm demeanor makes leopard geckos excellent pets for first-time reptile owners. On the other hand, Crested geckos seem to enjoy jumping out of the way of their prey. Baby snakes, like other reptiles, may be more apprehensive of you and more likely to “scream” or open their mouths wide in awe at your presence.
Regular, careful handling of your gecko is the best way to get it used to you. Leopard geckos, like many other geckos, will drop their tails if they are scared or if they try to seize their seats. But it won’t look as well as it did before, and it will require a lot of energy to do so. Just be cautious around your gecko and avoid grabbing their tail. If your gecko does manage to lose its tail, don’t panic; as long as the wound is kept clean, it won’t harm your gecko.
Leopard Gecko Substrate
There are a wide variety of substrates to choose from for your leopard gecko’s habitat. However, a paper towel is the most excellent substrate for young geckos since there is no possibility of impaction. You can be confident that your gecko has good pooping habits. A variety of substrates are available for your gecko as it grows bigger. These include hand towels, tiles, reptilian carpet, sandbox sand combined with reptile-safe soil.
Keep an eye out for any loose ends and your geckos’ toes if you decide to use reptile carpet. They might become tangled and suffer an injury if that happens. If your setup is excellent, you may use sand combined with soil, but do not use magnesium sand or plain sand, common in pet shops.
Avoid this at all costs since it may lead to intestinal blockages and diseases in your gecko. Make sure your gecko isn’t accidentally eating the sand or dirt by feeding them in a dish if you decide to use a combination of substrates.
Let us know what you think by leaving a comment below. Thank you for taking the time to read this – things to know before getting a leopard gecko.