Is a Leopard Gecko For Me?

Before purchasing any animal, it’s really good to sit down and very seriously address the
question of whether or not it’s the right animal for you! Here are some considerations to help
you decide if a leopard gecko is right for you:

Am I prepared for a very long lived animal?
Leopard geckos can easily live 10 to 20 years, and some even make it to 30 years. Are you reasonably sure that you will be able to care for an animal that is that long lived? For many, this long lifespan is a bonus, but if you don’t know that you’ll be living in places where you can keep your gecko with you for the next 20 years, it could be a problem.

Can I provide proper accommodations?
Geckos need a source of heat that allows for thermoregulation. In other words, a heat source that warms an area of the cage, while also allowing them to move to a cooler area. They don’t particularly need any more light than natural daylight, so a red lamp over the cage or heat tape under the cage can provide appropriate warmth. Without this, the gecko may not thrive. Geckos also need places they can hide, a dish for food, a small dish for calcium, and clean water.

Can I deal with handling bugs?
Leopard geckos eat live prey. Crickets and/or mealworms are the most commonly fed prey items. If you aren’t able to handle bugs, you won’t be able to feed your gecko.

Can I afford the supplements?
Leopard geckos definitely need calcium supplements, and a good vitamin supplement like rep-cal or miner-all can certainly help them stay healthy. Prey items should be dusted with the vitamins and calcium for maximum nutrition. You need to be prepared to keep the supplements on hand for your leo, and to keep a little dish of calcium powder in its cage at all times.

Can I ensure the gecko’s safety?
You need to be able to make sure that you can keep your leopard gecko in a cage that is placed in an area where it will be safe from harrassment by other animals, and by small children. For example, my children love to watch the geckos, but the gecko cages are out of the main traffic area so that they only get supervised visits when the kids are in a calm mood, since I noticed that the leos are very reactive to noise and the children’s squeals of excitement send them scurrying to hide(not to mention that they definitely aren’t fond of children banging on the cage). You also need to make sure that the cage stays out of direct sunlight, and that if gecko accidentally escapes, there aren't any predatory animals (cats, dogs), who will have easy access. If you have a free roaming dog or cat, just closing the door to the room the gecko lives in when you leave the room is a good way to help prevent tragedies.

Can I ensure proper vet care?
The best time to find a vet for your animal is BEFORE you purchase the animal. Not all vets will see reptiles, so it’s best to call around and make sure you know where you’ll go just in case there is ever an emergency.

Do I mind that it may not bond with me?
Leopard geckos are pretty laid back and docile, as far as lizards go. However, they aren’t puppy dogs and they may not develop any particular attachment to you. Some learn to get really darn happy when they see the source of food (you) coming, and some will hang out on your shirt and seem content, but not all will appear all that interested in you.

Will I be able to keep the cage cleaned?
If you have a hard time with being consistent, it isn’t fair to the animal. At least once a week is a good rule of thumb. Leopard geckos have a nice trait in that they tend to use only a certain corner of their living space to defecate, so they are easier to clean up after than many other types of small animals!

Am I willing to do my reading ahead of time?
Well, if you’ve read this far, you’re on your way! Getting educated is the best thing that you can do to ensure that you know what to expect and that you’ll know how to care properly for your new leopard gecko. An educated owner is usually a much happier owner than one who doesn’t know what to expect and panics at every little thing, or one who feels disappointed because the animal didn’t meet their mistaken expectations. Be sure to be informed so that you’ll know you’re making the best choice for you and for the gecko =)

Last updated 07/04/01