

A Leopard Gecko is just one of more than 1,500 species of gecko found worldwide. Unlike other geckos that live in trees and are most active at dawn and dusk, Leopard Geckos are wholly terrestrial and, depending on the individual, active throughout the day. They measure ~10cm in length, have chunky tails, and are typically adorned with black spots. It’s thought that Leopard Geckos were one of the first lizard species to be domesticated and kept as pets.
Leopard Geckos aren’t the only terrestrial geckos that can be kept as pets. Dune Geckos, Helmethead Geckos, Wonder Geckos, Hainan Cave Geckos, African Fat Tailed Geckos, and Barking Geckos are just several more geckos that prefer to live low down on the ground than high up in the trees. Like Leopard Geckos, these terrestrial geckos are relatively easy to care for, great for beginners, and incredibly rewarding to keep.
In the wild, Leopard Geckos are opportunistic predators and will feast on a variety of prey, including insects, baby rodents, and even hatchlings of other Leopard Geckos! In captivity they’re often fed a diet of crickets, worms, and other live insects. As a rule of thumb, juveniles should be fed every 1-2 days, while adults should be fed 2-3 times per week. This will ensure that they get all the nutrients they need without piling on the pounds and becoming dangerously overweight.
As long as they’re housed correctly, fed a nutritious and varied diet, and given the correct care, Leopard Geckos can live for 15 to 20 years. This means that they’re quite the commitment, so it’s important that you do your research and prepare a suitable, lasting environment before you purchase them and bring them home from the shop. We have lots of useful information available here on our website to get you started.