C a r e i n C a p t i v i t y

Leopard Gecko, Eublepharis macularim,

Captive Care and Breeding
Teresa Bradley,1 DVM, David Nieves2

1. Belton Animal Clinic, 511 Main Street, Belton, MO 64012, USA

2. Reptile Education and Research, 8816 N. Charlotte, Kansas City, MO 64155

A b s tr a c t: Leopard geckos, E ublepharis macularius, have become popular with both experienced herpetocul-
turists and novice reptile owners. This paper characterizes the species and discusses environmental, dietary
and reproductive specifications. A client education handout describing basic care, feeding and medical prob­
lems for which a veterinarian skilled in reptile care should be consulted is also included.

K ey w ords: leopard gecko, Eublepharis macularius, husbandry, breeding

INTRODUCTION age. As a defense mechanism the tail can be dropped off

(autotomy) when attacked by predators, grabbed, pulled, or
The leopard gecko, E ublepharis m acularius, has become traumatized. The tail will regrow but will have a different
quite popular with herpetoculturists and in the pet trade. It is appearance that is often smoother and more bulbous with a
being presented with increasing frequency to veterinarians more jumbled pattern of spots (Figure 2). Regeneration of the
skilled in reptile care and medicine. This species has been tail takes from two to six weeks depending on the amount of
successfully bred and reared in captivity by herpetoculturists tail loss and the age, diet and the health Status of the gecko.
(Goluber and Szczerbak, 1996) and by others less skilled. It is The color pattern changes significantly as leopard geckos
a hearty, insectivorous, nocturnal lizard that, with patient han­ mature. Juveniles are yellow with black or brown bands on
dling, is easily tamed. It is highly recommended for first time their bodies and black and white banded tails (Figure 3).
reptile owners. These bands are replaced by a spotted pattern as pigment
Leopard geckos were first described in 1871 by John cells migrate as the geckos mature. AdultsTiave a yellow to
Anderson in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society of tan background with patches of chocolate brown spots
London (Goluber and Szcerbak, 1996). They are indigenous (Figure 3). The skin has many small wart-like growths or
to southwestern Asia including Afghanistan, northwestern tubercles. Several color phases are acknowledged by herpeto­
India, and Pakistan and found in arid to semiarid, rocky, culturists and selective breeding to bring out recessive color
scrub-type desert, fringe habitats. They are also known as traits (Figure 4) is creating newer color phases. The two most
Indian or Pakistani fat-tailed geckos, panther geckos, desert common phases are the brown phase with a light tan back­
fat-tailed geckos, or spotted fat-tailed geckos. Leopard geckos ground and the yellow phase with a yellow background.
are frequently cited as being from Iran and Iraq but do not Patternless phases are also being developed.
occur west of Pakistan (Leviton, et al, 1992). Normal, healthy hatchlings are approximately eight and a
Geckos are the second largest family (Gekkonidae) of quarter centimeters long and weigh 2 1/2 to 3 g. Leopard
lizards with some 900 species. Leopard geckos belong to the geckos reach adult size at nine to 18 months of age. They can
Eublepharinae subfamily (or Eublepharidae family, depend­ weigh from 40 to 100 g and reach a total length of over 20
ing upon your taxonomic viewpoint) which includes some 18
cm. Adult males tend to be larger than females.
to 2 2 other species w ith a w orldw ide d istribution.
Eublepharidine geckos are primitive geckos compared to true
GENERAL CARE
geckos in that they have movable eyelids (Figure 1) and lack
expanded pads or setae on their digits. They do however have In the authors’ experience the healthiest and best looking
well-defined claws that aid them in climbing rocks. gecko is the one that is reared in an enclosure by itself. Social
Leopard geckos possess a large tail slightly less than one interaction does not appear to be necessary and often the
half their body length. There are large fat stores in the tail competition for food and territory can be quite stressful
which may provide a metabolic water source (de Vosjoli, et among and between conspecifics and can lead to injuries.
al, 1998). Fat stores may allow leopard geckos to go without Juveniles and adults should be housed separately to prevent
feeding for longer than most lizard species. In the authors’ cannibalism. No more that one male can be put in the same
experience they tend to thrive better than other lizard species enclosure as they will fight and may even kill each other to
in times of illness and stress because of this extra energy stor­ defend territory. Breeders will often place several females in

36 Bulletin of the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians Volume 9, No. 3,1999
 with one male without much competition as long as hide- acceptable food items as are insects that are wild caught such
boxes are provided for each lizard as a place for sleeping and as moths and grasshoppers (never feed dead or dying insects
a place to escape to in times of conflict. to help avoid possible exposure to pesticides). Be aware that
A 10 gallon aquarium can be used to house from one to some insects are potentially toxic to reptiles such as Monarch
three leopard geckos. Up to four adults can be housed in a 20 butterflies and fireflies. A dietary calcium: phosphorous (Ca:
gallon aquarium. Breeders will often house them in plastic P) ratio of 1:1 to 2:1 is the recommendation for birds and
sweater boxes with holes cut in the top. Keeping larger num­ mammals and a Ca:P ratio of 1.25:1 has been found to be
bers in each enclosure necessitates more frequent cleaning of ideal in the prevention of fibrous osteodystrophy in this
the habitat. The preferred day temperature in captivity has insectivorous species (Allen, 1989). Invertebrate prey species
been reported as low as 20°C (6 8 °F) (Goluber and Szczerbak, lack a calcified endoskeleton and the chitinous exoskeleton
1996) and as high as 30°C (8 6 °F) (Mattison, 1991). However, found on many of them is also devoid of calcium. Without
these authors recommend a daytime temperature gradient dietary supplementation, mealworms, crickets, and wax moth
from 21°C (70°F) to 30°C (8 6 °F) with a slight decrease in larvae contain very low levels of calcium and have a Ca:P
temperature at night. Placing an under-tank heater on one side ratio of approximately 0.06:1 to 0.13:1 (Allen and Oftedal,
can create a temperature gradient from one side of the enclo­ 1982).
sure to the other. A light source can be provided during the Studies have shown that “gut loading” crickets with a diet
day if additional heat is needed. Any changes in heat or light containing at least eight percent calcium fed for at least 48
source in the microenvironment should be monitored careful­ hours prior to being used as a food item for reptiles and
ly. If temperatures exceed 32°C (90°F) leopard geckos will amphibians would produce a meal that had a Ca:P ratio of 1:1
become stressed, hyperactive, and dark in color. Above 38°C or higher (Allen and Oftedal, 1989). Crickets that received
(100°F) they become moribund and death follows. dietary supplementation of calcium of 8 % or greater also had
If additional light or heat sources are needed in the enclo­ three times the calcium content of those that were dusted with
sures or when considering lighting in the room where the calcium supplement but not gut loaded prior to being used as
enclosures are kept, cool white or fluorescent bulbs should be prey items (Trusk and Crissey, 1987).
used. Bright lights are stressful to geckos and seem to depress Each reptile species may have its own unique dietary
feeding. Light that is too bright may also keep them from requirements for calcium. Leopard geckos that were fed
being active during the day (Mattison, 1991). Ultraviolet or crickets gut loaded for greater than 48 hours with diets con­
full spectrum lighting is likely to not be necessary, as they are taining at least 8 % calcium were found to have significantly
a nocturnal species (Boyer, 1993), but may be helpful. It is greater body weights as well as higher bone ash and bone cal­
the experience of these authors that the fluctuation in the cium than leopard geckos fed crickets maintained on diets of
North American day/night cycle can be adequate for raising less than 2% calcium (Allen, et al, 1986). Radiographs and
leopard geckos, therefore additional lighting may not be histopathology also evidenced better bone integrity in leopard
essential. A 12 hour day/night cycle is sufficient. geckos fed higher calcium containing crickets (Allen, 1989).
Many herpetoculturists will use sand and gravel as a sub­ No significant differences in bone ash were attributed to
strate. When selecting substrates, keep in mind that bedding dietary vitamin D3 (Allen, et al, 1986). Also, it has been sug­
material that can be ingested may cause intestinal impaction gested that the insect prey items be offered slices of orange
which can be fatal. The authors prefer to use newspaper, and apple or other food items as a water source. In order to
indoor-outdoor carpeting or plastic grass matting which are prevent prey items from gut loading these food items in pref­
all easily handled for cleaning. Enclosures and matting can be erence to the high calcium diet provided, it is probably more
cleaned as needed using dilute bleach water (1:30 solution in appropriate to provide a water soaked sponge as a water
water). source (Allen and Oftedal, 1989).
As mentioned before, hideboxes must be provided. They Adult leopard geckos should be fed gut loaded prey items
can be made by using flat rocks that form a cave or an over­ at least twice per week. A commercial cricket ration is avail­
turned plastic container such as a margarine bowl with a hole able from Ziegler Brothers, Inc. (P.O. Box 95, Gardners, PA)
in it. Leopard geckos also need a dark, dampened microcli­ that will provide the calcium needed (Boyer, 1993). A gut-
mate to facilitate shedding (Mattison, 1991). This can be loading diet can also be prepared by mixing 80% nutritionally
accomplished by placing slightly moistened vermiculite, complete chick mash (available in feed stores) with 2 0 %
paper towels or sphagnum moss in the hide/nest box or mist­ powdered calcium carbonate by weight (Dierenfeld and
ing the gecko lightly. Creating a micro-humidity chamber is Barker, 1995). The insect prey items should also be dusted
especially important in juveniles which shed as often as every with a calcium carbonate powder (oystershell or cuttlebone)
two weeks in comparison to adults which may shed every immediately prior to feeding them to the geckos. The Ca:P
three to four months. Too much humidity in the captive habi­ ratio of dusted crickets has been shown to decrease as time
tat, however, can create respiratory problems and skin after dusting increased, probably due to the decreased amount
infections, and should be avoided. of dust adhering to the crickets from movement and groom­
ing (Trusk and Crissey, 1987, Allen and Oftedal, 1989).
Dusting with a multivitamin not more frequently than once
DIET per week is also recommended. Many supplements contain
In their natural habitats leopard geckos have been known to Vitamin D3 which is important for bone mineralization but
eat a variety of arthropods, including scorpions, as well as excessive amounts can cause soft tissue mineralization in rep­
smaller species of geckos (Tikader and Sharma, 1992). tiles (Wallach and Hoessle, 1966). Adults can also be fed a
Crickets, mealworms, superworms, and waxworms are all pinkie mouse once or twice per month, although this is not

Bulletin of the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians 37

Volume 9, No. 3,1999
 essential. Juveniles and gravid females should be fed appro­ There are two breeding methods that are commonly
priate sized gut loaded prey items at least every other day and employed in the captive propagation of leopard geckos.
the prey items supplemented with calcium carbonate at each Group breeding, where one male is housed with three to six
feeding. Food items should not be longer or wider than the females throughout the year, is much less labor intensive.
length or width of the gecko’s head (de Vosjoli, et al, 1998). With this method, monitoring of breeding and determining
A shallow dish of fresh water should be provided daily. The reproductive efficiency of individual geckos is difficult (de
container should be shallow enough to allow hatchlings and Vosjoli, et al, 1998). Another breeding method can be used
juveniles to reach down into the dish to get to the water. whereby individual females are introduced into a given
Water dishes should be cleaned and disinfected at least week­ male’s cage for breeding. This controls who is bred to whom
ly and whenever soiled. Reproductively active females will and allows the female to be maintained in a more optimal
take calcium powder directly from a shallow dish. Also, it is condition where it may not be as stressed by the continued
typical for leopard geckos to eat their shed skin and it is not presence of the hormonally driven males (de Vosjoli, et al,
harmful for them to do so. 1998).
The average female will produce four to five clutches of
two eggs per season with a one month interval between
REPRODUCTION clutches (Mattison, 1991). A healthy, well fed female can pro­
duce as many as ten to 14 two egg clutches per year, with an
Leopard geckos are sexually dimorphic and can be sexed as
interclutch interval of 17 to 20 days. Fewer eggs are produced
early as one month of age if a magnifying lens is used. Males
as the geckos get older and fertility is decreased (de Vosjoli,
are generally larger and heavier bodied with slightly larger
et al, 1998). A gravid female will have a swollen caudal
heads and necks. Hemipenal bulges or swellings are evident
coelom and two large white bulges can be readily visualized
at the base of the tail (Figure 5). There is a “V”-shaped row of
through the ventral body wall (Figure 7). Keep in mind that
pre-anal pores positioned cranial to the cloaca (Figure 5). In
leopard geckos have bilateral coelomic fat pads that can often
males the cloacal opening is approximately 20 to 30% wider
be mistaken for eggs. Radiographs may help to distinguish
than in females. Females tend to be smaller with less notice­
between the two densities if there is a question.
able pre-anal pits cranial to the cloaca and the tail base is
Unlike true geckos the shells of newly laid leopard gecko
thinner (Figure 6 ).
eggs are soft and sticky (de Vosjoli, et al, 1998, Mattison,
Female leopard geckos can begin breeding as early as nine
1991). The shells of infertile eggs will remain thin and soft,
months of age as sexual maturity appears to be a function of
where as fertile eggs will firm up and have a thick chalky white
size rather than age. Females are able to produce viable eggs
shell around them (de Vosjoli, et al, 1998). Once eggs are laid
when they reach 40 to 50 g of weight. For males, however,
it is recommended not to change the position of the eggs (i.e.
onset of fertility seems to be a function of both age and size
keep the same side up as when they were laid) when moving
and occurs at about 18 months of age when they weigh
them into the incubator or during the incubation period.
approximately 40 to 50 g. Although successful breeding can
Eggs will hatch in 6 to 12 weeks depending on incubation
occur earlier, waiting until animals are larger and in prime
temperature. At 27 - 29°C (80.6 - 82°F) virtually all offspring
condition will increase the likelihood of high production (de
will be female. At 29.5°C (85°F) there will fie approximately
Vosjoli, et al, 1998).
an equal ratio of male to female hatchlings. At 32°C to 33°C
The breeding season is from January to September and only
(89.6 - 90.6°F) virtually all offspring will be male (Mattison,
one or two successful breedings are necessary to produce fer­
tile eggs throughout a breeding season. It is believed that 1991).
As with other reptilian species, hatchlings can live off of
female leopard geckos have the ability to retain sperm for up
yolk reserves and generally do not need to be fed until after
to a year (de Vosjoli, et al, 1998). Leopard geckos are among
the first shed which occurs about one week after hatching.
the easiest of all lizard species to reproduce in captivity and
Crickets that are 1.3 cm to 1.9 cm (0.5 to 0.75 inches) in
will readily breed without much preparation. However, some
length and adult standard sized mealworms are appropriately
herpetoculturists precondition their leopard geckos by expos­
sized for hatchlings. The gutloaded crickets and mealworms
ing them to a shorter photoperiod and cooler temperatures
should be offered every one to two days and dusted with cal­
approximately four to eight weeks prior to breeding. During
cium carbonate powder immediately prior to feeding. A
this cooling period less than 1 2 hours of daylight are provided
vitamin mineral supplement should also be used not more
and temperatures during the day are 22 - 24°C (72 - 76°F) and
often than once per week. Juveniles are usually housed indi­
18°C (65°F) at night (de Vosjoli, et al, 1998). As with all rep­
vidually in plastic shoe boxes with a hide box and a very
tile species, preconditioning and breeding should not be
shallow water dish. Those kept together exhibit feeding com­
attempted unless the reptile is in optimal health and has been
fasted for several weeks. petition, frequent fighting and even cannibalism if they are
not fed often enough or not provided adequate hiding places
The second author has set up a three year experiment with
two groups of breeder leopard geckos (five males and thirty (de Vosjoli, et al, 1998, Mattison, 1991).
females in each test group). One group was preconditioned
and the other was not. Viable egg production was found to be
identical between groups. The preconditioned geckos, howev­ COM M ON M EDICAL PROBLEMS
er, all seem ed to be ready to breed at the same tim e As with most reptilian and amphibian species, medical
immediately after temperature and daylight hours were problems in leopard geckos are likely to be associated with
increased. The group that was not preconditioned was not as improper environment and diet. Metabolic bone disease can
synchronized and started breeding over a five week period. be evidenced as foreshortened and pliable mandible and

Bulletin of the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians Volume 9, No. 3,1999
 sometimes maxilla. Occasionally fibrous osteodystrophy is REFERENCES
noted in the limbs as well. Treatment can be approached as it
is for the green iguana. Allen ME. 1989. Dietary induction and prevention of osteody­
strophy in an insectivorous reptile Eublepharis macularis:
Gastric and intestinal impaction can be seen with or without
characterization by radiography and histopathology. Proc Path
rectal prolapse. Sand, crushed walnut shells, fine grade grav­
Rep Amphib, 83.
els and other substrates that can be easily ingested may cause
Allen ME, Crissey SD, Demeter BJ. 1986. The effect of diet
this problem, and as mentioned before, should be avoided. on growth and bone development in the leopard gecko. Proc
Abdominal palpation, radiographs, and clinical signs may aid AAZV, 44-45.
in determining whether medical therapy such as mineral oil Allen ME, Oftedal OT. 1982. Calcium and phosphorus levels
enemas, or surgery is necessary. The first author has also seen in live prey. Proc AAZPA, 120.
gastric impaction of six to seven chitinous exoskeletons from Allen ME, Oftedal OT. 1989. Dietary manipulation of the cal­
supermealworms which were readily eaten when the owner cium content of feed crickets. Zoo Wild Med, 20(l):26-33.
hand fed them to a nine gram leopard gecko. Boyer TH. 1993. A Practitioners Guide to Reptilian Husbandry
Shedding problems occur if a moist hidebox is not provid­ and Care. AAHA Press. Lakewood, CO:45-47.
ed. Distal dysecdesis is common as retained shed constricts de Vosjoli P, Viets B, Temper R, Klingenberg R. 1998. The
around the tail or digits. As the blood supply is impaired by Leopard Gecko Manual. Adv Viv Sys, Santee, CA:l-8 6 .
the constricting bands the affected digits or tail may become Dierenfeld E, Barker. 1995. Nutrient composition of whole
necrotic and slough off or become infected. It is important prey commonly fed to reptiles and amphibians. Proc ARAV, 3-15.
that the skin be thoroughly moistened before attempting to Goluber ML, Szczerbak NN. 1996. Gecko Fauna of the USSR
remove retained skin. Soaking in moistened paper towels is and Contiguous Regions. SSAR, 26-29.
recommended. Minor skin lacerations may occur and usually Leviton AE, Anderson SC, Adlerk, Minton SA. 1992.
will heal if kept clean and treated topically with triple antibi­ Handbook of Middle East Amphibians and Reptiles. SSAR, 37.
otic ointment. More severe trauma and bite wounds can Mattison C. 1991. Keeping and Breeding Lizards. Sterling Pub
Co., Inc., New York, NY:69-72.
occur, especially when males and female are kept together.
Tikader BK, Sharma RC. 1992. Handbook of Indian lizards.
Egg binding may be seen and usually does not respond well
Zoo Survey of India, Calcutta, India:78-79.
to medical treatment. Surgery including salpingotomy or Trusk AM, Crissey S. 1987. Comparison of calcium and phos­
ovariosalpingectomy may need to be performed. phorus levels in crickets fed a high calcium diet versus those
As with all other reptiles, it is important to screen for ecto- dusted with supplement. Proc Dr Scholl Conf, 93-99.
and endoparasites. Colonic wash is recommended, if possible, Wallach JD, Hossle C. 1996. Hypervitaminosis D in green
followed by examination of a direct smear and fecal floata­ iguanas. JAVMA 149, 912.
tion. Cryptosporidiosis has been found in leopard geckos and
can be quite contagious. Entire colonies have been lost to All photographs by Tom Weidner, courtesy of David Nieves.
cryptosporidiosis.

Figure 1. Upclose photo demonstrating the eyelids, vertical iris and Figure 2. Yellow phase leopard geckos - the gecko on the left lower
large auditory membrane through which light can be shined right aspect of the photo exhibits an unusual regrowth pattern of the tail.
through the geckos head.

Volume 9, No. 3,1999 Bulletin of the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians 39
Figure 3. Adult and juvenile yellow phase leopard geckos, Eublepharis Figure 4. Nationally and internationally breeders are trying to work
macularius, showing the striking difference in color pattern at different with recessive color traits including the patternless (previously known as
ages. This color phase has a striped juvenile pattern whereas the brown leucistic) on the left and the tangello color phase on the right.
phase juveniles have a banded tail and body.

Figure 5. Pre-anal pores are evident cranial to the vent of male leopard Figure 6 . Note the minimized pre-anal pits and lack of hemipenal bulges
geckos, Eublepharis macularius,and hemipenal bulges are located at the at the tail base of the female leopard gecko, Eublepharis macularius.
base of the tail.

Figure 7. Caudal coelomic swelling and white bulges that can be seen
through the ventral coelomic skin are evidence of gravidity.

40 Bulletin of the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians Volume 9, No. 3,1999