Your Handy Guide To Leopard Geckos

Lizard lovers love leopard geckos mainly because of their physical beauty and because they are really easy to care for. Leopard geckos has become of the most popular of the gecko varieties because of these. Since they are easy to care for, experienced handlers and newbie pet owners alike can easily experience the excitement of caring for such wonderful creatures.

Because they are available in a various unique patterns and vibrant colors, leopard geckos are becoming more and more popular. Unique colors and patterns have emerged through these years through breeding and in-breeding. Some of the most popular morphs of the leopard gecko variety are the tangerine, carrot-tail, bell albino, tremper albino, las vegas or rainwater albino, stripe, reverse stripe, jungle, giant, RAPTOR, APTOR, mack snow, line bred snow, enigma, eclipse, and blizzards. Breeders have been successful in breeding these morphs that has a wide variety of unique variations. The leopard geckos are considered as one of the most magnificent among leopards in captivity because of the majesty of their colors, markings, and patterns.

Leopard geckos are originally from the Middle East area, most specifically Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan. Being terrestrial creatures that they are, they prefer to live on the ground. And because they are nocturnal, they are at their most active state at night.

Leopard geckos in captivity can weigh at an average of 60 to 100 grams and can grow to about an average of 8 to 12 inches long. The baby leopard geckos, on the other hand, usually weigh around 3 grams on the average and are about 3 inches long. If they are properly cared for, these creatures can live up to 20 years.

If you want your pet gecko to be happy and healthy, there are certain needs that you need to provide them. a humid habitat is ideal for them since they shed their skin regularly. A shed box can be provided to them to aid them in their shedding process. This shed box is usually a hide box stuffed sphagnum moss.

A healthy diet is also a must for leopard geckos. A fat tail usually signifies a healthy leopard gecko. This is because the tail is the part of their bodies where extra food is stored, which provides for them when food is scarce. A light and heat source is also needed by leopard geckos that will provide them the temperature gradient that they need. With this temperature gradient, their enclosure will have a cool and warm end. They need this to regulate their own body temperature.

Another thing that pet owners need to be aware of is the fact that all leopard geckos are all potential carriers of salmonella and some infectious diseases. In order to prevent the probability of spreading these diseases, washing of hands before and after cleaning the cage or handling a leopard gecko and other contents of their enclosure is a must for every pet owner.

As leopard geckos continue to gain popularity, they will also continue to be one of the most treasured reptiles in captivity. And with this, many leopard gecko breeders will keep on breeding them in order to have more unique and interesting varieties.

Noel Patterson is a leopard gecko expert. For more great information on leopard gecko, visit http://theleopardgeckoguide.com.