Should I feed my leopard gecko everyday?

You can feed your leopard gecko every day if you wish to do so. There is nothing wrong with offering dubia roaches or similar to young leopard geckos every day. But there’s also nothing wrong with offering the same nutritional value every other day or some other schedule that is similar to the pet store where your gecko came from. Geckos can adapt to various eating schedules and no one answer is the only way to do it right. Calcium supplement should be offered weekly so don’t forget that part!

Can you overfeed Leopard Geckos?

Your leopard gecko will stop eating when it has had enough live food. Young geckos will eat quite a bit so it can be tempting to dump a lot of small invertebrates in the cage and think your juvenile leopard geckos will just eat the bugs throughout the week. Leaving uneaten live foods in the habitat can cause health issues and stress for your gecko. The amount of food to feed will need to be determined by your gecko. Do not leave extra live food in the habitat after your gecko is done eating. A good rule of thumb to find appropriately-sized insects is to get bugs that fit between your leopard gecko’s eyes. Anything larger can cause health issues like choking or impaction. A varied diet with lots of fresh water and calcium powder will make sure these popular pets stay healthy throughout their long lives.

Is my leopard gecko eating enough?

A healthy leopard gecko will have a fat and plump tail that is full of stored fats. They generally do not carry too much weight so you will not need to worry about that. A balanced diet of multivitamin powder, small crickets and a little patience will go along way. Keep track of how much and what your leopard gecko diet consists of. This record will help give you a general rule of thumb should you encounter any health problems you will want to refer to your diet records first thing.

Can leopard geckos eat dead crickets?

Yes leopard geckos can eat dead crickets but generally they do not consider this even an occasional treat. They much prefer live insects like dubia roaches, crickets, or wax worms. Even hornworms would be preferred by a juvenile leopard gecko. Crickets are a nutritious food for your gecko but they are much more nutritious when they are alive. The best foods to provide your gecko a nutritious diet will be live feeder insects, fresh water, and the proper multivitamins.

How often should I soak my leopard gecko?

A healthy shedding adult leopard gecko can be soaked anywhere from monthly to every other day. Some will prefer to soak their geckos in a shallow dish of warm clean water. Paper towels can be added for traction. This isn’t something they encounter much in their natural habitats but it is a very helpful way for us to ensure they are properly hydrated and shedding well.

A regular feeding schedule will be your best friend as a gecko keeper. Feeding on a daily basis isn’t necessarily one of the general rules for gecko keeping but it does work for some people. Gut-loaded insects and the number of insects can play a much larger role in your geckos healthy diet and healthy life. Younger leopard geckos tend to be less picky in their diet of insects but new leopard gecko owners will quickly learn what common feeder insects their animals like or dislike. Offer a variety of prey items whenever you can!

The post How much should a leopard gecko eat? appeared first on Gecko Time.

Do you need to incubate leopard gecko eggs?

If you intend on hatching your gecko eggs then yes it is a good idea to incubate leopard gecko eggs. Maintaining a constant incubation temperature will ensure the highest hatch-rate, and healthy, fully developing embryos. Some environments and situations may not necessarily call for an incubator but we find it is much less stressful to use the proper equipment to maintain incubating eggs. Some do not want a clutch of baby geckos and the trouble of finding other leopard gecko owners to take care of the new babies. In this case it is best to NOT incubate or breed your geckos if they have reached sexual maturity.

How long do leopard geckos eggs take to hatch?

Leopard gecko eggs will incubate for anywhere from 40 days to 100 days. Usually eggs in the same clutch will hatch around the same time but not always. Healthy eggs will be maintained by a clean incubation medium at the right humidity. You can use tupperware container or small plastic deli cups to store your eggs in the incubator. A commercial incubator isn’t necessary but will work just fine. Humidity levels can be maintained by keeping open cups of water inside the incubator. An egg box will contain a medium like moss, perlite, vermiculite or similar. This will be the first thing you need to keep your eggs clean, humid, but not suffocated. The eggs will need to breath a bit as well so it is a good idea to add small holes in the container.

How do you incubate leopard gecko eggs at home?

To properly incubate eggs at home make sure you have an incubator, a substrate or medium to put the eggs on, and a few egg containers. Larger containers are OK but if there is a probably with bugs or mold, it is better to have smaller groups of eggs affected. Peat moss and sphagnum moss make fine substrates but most prefer vermiculite or perlite. A single egg can be incubated by itself without any issues. The hatching process if a lot of fun to witness and is the best way to welcome gecko babies into the world. Successful mating for the first time is also a lot of fun to see and document.

What should I do if my leopard gecko lays eggs?

Do not panic! Find a plastic box with a tight lid, this will be your incubation container. If you are attempting to hatch the eggs you can call your local pet store and ask if they will incubate the eggs for you. If not they will have materials to help you properly incubate your eggs at home. Sometimes geckos will lay infertile eggs. There is no way to immediately tell if your eggs are infertile.

How do you keep leopard gecko eggs alive?

You will want to incubate and properly store the eggs to keep them alive. Your gecko may lay eggs several times over the course of a month or so. Hatchling leopard geckos are much harder to keep alive than the eggs. Once you have a properly set up incubator, you will just need to wait for the eggs to hatch. There isn’t much work to do otherwise until the pet geckos hatch from the eggs and baby geckos fill your egg trays.

How do you know if a gecko egg is alive?

After a couple weeks time you will begin to see veins growing on the inside of the egg. You can use a bright light to candle the egg. Use the light to illuminate the egg while you gently hold it. You should be able to see veins on the inside of the shell wall. Proper care, proper moisture, and the needed incubation period will all ensure your geckos are healthy when they hatch.

Baby geckos will come out of the egg full of vigor. Keep them on clean moist paper towels. They will shed and believe it or not they will eat their first shed usually. This is done to capture as much nutrition as possible. At this point you can start to feed your baby leopard geckos a normal diet of tiny live insects.

The post What is the proper way to care for leopard gecko eggs? appeared first on Gecko Time.

I recently built my first bioactive enclosure. I first got the idea after visiting my local reptile shop which had a couple set up. I got more enthusiastic about doing my own after joining some bioactive groups online and seeing all the bioactives that others had made. Below I have detailed my build. I pulled ideas from a lot of different sources rather than following any available guides 100 percent.

Supplies

Exo Terra Natural Terrarium Large/X-Tall (36” x 18” x 36”)

Assorted plants including Neon Pothos, Angle Wing Begonia, Philodendron

Powder Orange, Powder Blue, Dwarf White isopods

Great Stuff Window & Door Foam

GE silicone 1

Natural Reptile Bedding (only available in United States)

Coco Liner Sheet

Evercool 60mm x 15mm fan

Exo Terra Light Bracket (x4)

Large branches (x5)

Stainless steel wire and screws

From New England Herpetoculture:

Lighting Kit: 3 Jungle Dawn Spotlight LEDs with wire cage fixtures

ABG mix – 7 gallons

Leaf Litter – 2 gallons Live Oak

150-watt Ceramic Heat Emitter 

Mist King Starter System and extra nozzles

Cork Rounds 16-18 inch (x2)

Background

I figured out where I wanted the 5 large branches to go and then used tape to hold them in place. I then applied the great stuff foam to attach them to the glass. After the foam for the branches was finished setting, I applied great stuff to the rest of the back and sides. I had to let the first layer set and then apply a second layer of foam to get the thickness I wanted (about an inch). After the foam on the back and sides was completely set, I used a combination of glass scrapper and sandpaper to remove the smooth top layer of foam. This was so that silicone would adhere better. Once the foam was all roughed up, I applied silicone in small sections on the sides which I put Natural Reptile Bedding on top of to give a natural look. On the back I applied silicone and put a large sheet of coco liner on top. I choose to also put some left-over coco liner on the sides which I did using stainless steel wire. I also attached a couple plastic pots to one of the top branches using stainless steel screws to hold plants.

Drainage Layer/Substrate

I used a mix of Zoo Med Hydroballs and Lugarti Premium Drainage Layer (this is only available in the United States) for the drainage layer. For the barrier between the drainage layer and substrate I used AC filter foam. I like the filter foam better than products like window screen or weed cloth because water passes through very easily. Additionally, the filter foam has so many layers that there is pretty much zero chance of dirt getting through. With weed cloth water can pool and not pass through very easily. With window screen the holes are a little big and dirt can get through unless you use multiple layers. For the substrate I used 7 gallons of ABG and 7 gallons of Natural Reptile bedding. I used a large amount of substrate because I wanted enough for big plants to take root and grow in comfortably. I believe most bioactive kits I have seen use around 7 gallons for a cage this size, so you don’t need to do 14 gallons like I did. Another thing I did is that I did not mix the two substrates together at all. I put all the Natural Reptile Bedding down first and then all the ABG on top of that. My reason for doing this is that the ABG is a substrate that has no dirt, and it is very airy, so water passes through easily and it is better for isopods. I put 2 gallons of oak leaves on top of the substrate. The leaf layer helps keep the enclosure humid longer, but the main reason is to feed the isopods.

Lighting and Heat

I have 3 Jungle Dawn Spotlight LEDs to keep my plants alive. In my opinion jungle dawn lights are some of the best plant lights for bioactives that you can get. Specifically, the spotlights are needed for tall enclosures. They are very powerful and can provide light to plants all the way at the bottom of the cage. They have a very long life, at 12 hours per day it works out to about 9 years if I did my math correctly. The lights even have built in fans to keep them from heating up and extend the life of the bulb. 

I also use a 150-watt ceramic heat emitter. For crested geckos, gargoyle geckos, and other New Caledonia species you can keep them at room temperatures with no additional heat and they will be fine. However, Gargoyle geckos do enjoy some extra heat. My enclosure is very large, so it is possible to do a significant heat gradient. Heat gradients are important because reptiles cannot regulate their own temperature. A heat gradient allows reptiles to choose which temperature is comfortable for them at any given time throughout the day. The gradient in my enclosure is 10 degrees. At the top of the cage, I keep it 80 degrees and by the time you get to the bottom of the cage it is 70 degrees. I have the CHE attached to a thermostat in order to assure the cage doesn’t get too hot and the temperatures are consistent. Heat rises so I placed the probe at the back of the cage and just a couple inches from the top. 

All the lights and the CHE are suspended about 4 inches from the top of the cage using Exo Terra Light Brackets. All the bulbs are housed in wire cage fixtures. I don’t use domes for any of them because this traps the heat making the lights more likely to break on top of not being very efficient. 

Humidity

Gargoyle geckos drink water by licking it off surfaces. They can drink water out of a cup, and I recommend always having one available but that is not their primary method. Also, the many live plants in the enclosure need a good deal of water to survive as do the isopods. There is some disagreement when it comes to humidity levels for Gargoyle Geckos. Many care guides will tell you to mist twice a day (once in the morning and once at night) so that the enclosure reaches 90% or more humidity and let it get down to about 50% in between the mistings. Other guides will tell you to aim for a constant 75% humidity. I personally think the constant 75% is the way to go. This is easier said than done and I am still tinkering to get the perfect humidity levels. 

I splurged and got a Mist King for my enclosure. With all the live plants and trying to keep the cage at 75% humidity all the time it is a worthwhile investment in my opinion. Currently I have it set to mist 3 times a day: 6am for 40 seconds, 12pm for 30 seconds, and 6pm for 40 seconds. When I first set up the cage I only had it misting twice a day for 30 seconds each. I will most likely have to adjust it a couple more times but for right now it is working well. I use a 5-gallon food grade bucket as the reservoir and fill it with reverse osmosis water. I use the reverse-osmosis water to avoid getting stains on the front glass doors.

To improve air flow in the cage I use a 60mm fan hooked up to a speed controller. 

Plants & Clean Up Crew (CUC)

I spent a good chunk of change on plants. My initial plant order consisted of many less common terrarium plants and unfortunately, I did not have a good understanding of how they should be placed and their specific lighting requirements. Many of those plants did not make it so I recommend doing more research than I did on the plants you purchase. However, the plant order was quite large and most of the vining plants survived as did the larger plants. I replaced the ones that died with a large neon Pothos and a small Philodendron. Since I first set it up, I have moved certain plants and added new ones which I will probably continue to do on a semi regular basis. For gargoyle geckos plants really are just decorations for the most part, they really aren’t sturdy enough to climb and don’t provide anywhere to hide. My gecko spends all day in one of the 4 cork bark rounds I have placed on the right half of the cage.  The way I designed my cage is that most of the plants are on the left side of the cage and all the cork is on the right side. The light wouldn’t really be able to make it through all the cork very well and this provides a spot where the soil is not as damp for the isopods.

For the CUC I went with powder blue, powder orange, and dwarf white isopods. There are a lot of different species you can get but these were readily available to me, and they do the job well! You don’t need a huge amount to start off because given the right conditions and plenty of food they reproduce quickly.

Overall, I am very happy with how the enclosure turned out and I learned a ton about building a bioactive. The process took a lot longer than I thought it would, but it was very enjoyable most of the time. The result is a cage that takes care of itself for the most part and the only thing I really must do is put in food and do an occasional extra watering.

The post My Gargoyle Gecko Mansion appeared first on Gecko Time.

How many superworms should I feed my leopard gecko?

The number of prey items your gecko can or should eat will vary depending on the insect size, time of year, and your gecko’s size and mood. There’s many variable here so it’s tough to say exactly how many one should eat. Keep track of your gecko’s diet and body weight with a small notebook so you can see his eating habits over time. Health problems can arise without warning and it’s very handy to have a detailed health log ready to go.

Can leopard geckos choke on superworms?

Yes your gecko can choke on superworms or kingworms. But they can also choke on dubia roaches or phoenix worms for that matter. Make sure your gecko is eating appropriately sized prey items. The insect should be able to fit between your gecko’s eyes in all dimensions. This will ensure that your gecko is not going to choke because of the size of the bug. Feeding too much food at once can also be a way to cause your gecko to choke. Give him time to consume a few bugs at a time, then add a few more. This is the best way for you to observe him closely.

Can I feed my gecko super worms?

Superworms, or morio worms, are a great addition to your gecko’s diet. If you are able to get in some gut loading time with the worms before feeding them to your gecko, even better! Wax worms are a good idea to introduce as part of a staple diet. They are easy to obtain, common in the pet trade, and not too expensive. A perfect staple insect from your local pet store.

Are superworms better than mealworms for leopard geckos?

Superworms are nutritionally the similar, with high fat content, to other mealworms. They are both great options for your leopard geckos. The smaller worms are more appropriate for your baby geckos and juvenile leopard geckos. Morio worms, or kingworms are best for adult leos as they are a larger size. Many pet reptiles enjoy kingworms as a food source. There are many different insects available but superworms are a great staple feeder.

Do superworm bites hurt?

No superworm bites do not hurt much. It’s more like a pinch from the not so strong mandibles of a grumpy bug. It isn’t pleasant but it also won’t leave you hurting – just annoyed and grossed out. Not many live insects bite so this is one thing to keep in mind as a bad thing for superworms. I like to use feeding tongs to avoid touching these nutritious feeders if at all possible.

Can leopard geckos eat superworms everyday?

Yes but as with all foods they are best when they are part of a balanced diet. A well-balanced diet for your beloved gecko is really the number one goal. As always, make sure you’re providing a small bowl with fresh water at all time.

There’s many options for feeding your adult leopard geckos. Superworms can be used as more than just the occasional treat. They are an affordable live food that is easy to find at your local pet shop. They can’t climb smooth surfaces so they cannot escape your gecko’s habitat. There are so many good things about superworms it’s hard to list them all.

Does your gecko like superworms? What about other worms? What would you say is your gecko’s favorite food? Leave a comment or question down below!

The post Can leopard geckos eat superworms? appeared first on Gecko Time.

Gecko meal replacement powders will sometimes have an extensive list of dried and powdered fruits that are safe to feed your gecko. Crested geckos are omnivorous lizards that will eat both soft fruits and feeder insects like dubia roaches. Gravid females will especially appreciate the extra essential vitamins in gut loaded prey items. Many gecko owners get hung up on the proper diet for a healthy crested gecko but in reality it isn’t all that difficult.

Can crested geckos eat any fruit?

No, crested geckos cannot eat any fruit that you can find. In general it’s a good idea to stick to Mango, Pear, Banana, Grape, Fig, Apricot, Strawberry, and Watermelon. Citrus fruits are less ideal and require more preparation. Prickly pear can even be a good option if they grow where you live. Natural foods are always going to be best but if you want you can also blend these fruits together in a shallow dish and place it in your gecko’s enclosure – a fruit smoothie, if you will.

What human food can crested geckos eat?

Besides fruits it is not recommended that you feed any processed human foods to geckos. These foods are a healthy addition to a gecko’s balanced diet. You will have much better luck using the real fruit mentioned above. Human baby food can be an exception to this rule if you are able to confirm the ingredients in the mass-produced food. Look at the label and aim for foods with no additives – just fruit.

What fruits can geckos not eat?

We do not recommend feeding your gecko avocados, tomatoes, other night shades, or other untested fruits. It is best to stick to the list of fruits above. Talk to the place you bought your baby crested gecko from and find out what foods they were having success with. Some foods can have a low oxalic acid level or a high phosphorus ratio and these are not ideal qualities in gecko fruits.

What is a crested geckos favorite food?

Crested gecko diet can quickly become your gecko’s favorite food. That and a variety of insects are what most people use as dietary staples for crested geckos. The nutritional value between these two options provides a solid food source for your growing baby crested gecko. Feeder insects of different types may be offered to keep your gecko used to a variety of foods. In their natural habitat they will be eating whatever they come across but in captivity the most important thing you can do is to offer a varied diet with the recommend vitamins.

Can crested geckos eat yogurt?

Is it not recommended to feed your gecko yogurt or any other dairy or milk product. These processed foods are made specifically for human consumption and contain sugars, salts, and vitamins for humans only. A gecko meal replacement powder would be a better option than cow’s milk yogurt.

How often should crested geckos eat?

Crested geckos generally eat well on an every-other-day feeding cycle. Of course there is no One Best Way to do it and your gecko’s preferences may vary. Track what your gecko is eating and when so that you can determine which should become staple food vs an occasional treat. The overall health of your gecko will depend heavily on the staple diet offered to him.

When selecting food for your crested gecko to eat it is important to avoid new and untested foods. Do not experiment with your gecko’s diet. Use the tried and true foods listed in this article to feed your gecko the best diet possible. Leopard geckos and day geckos will require a separate list of foods. An important aspect of gecko-keeping is providing a healthy diet. Whether that’s safe fruits, commercial food, phoenix worms, or passion fruit, a varied healthy diet is a mandatory part of proper care for geckos. As always, you should provide a shallow dish with fresh water at all times for your gecko – no matter the species.

What fruits does your gecko like? Which do they not like? Leave a comment below with some of the foods you’ve tried!

The post What fruits can a crested gecko eat? appeared first on Gecko Time.

The most common reasons for a gecko to decrease his appetite are easy to check with a thermometer and a quick equipment check. Some geckos though will experience a brumation period or other cycles unbeknownst to the pet owner. When this happens it can leave you feeling puzzled. As long as you are regularly monitoring your gecko’s health, offering calcium supplements, and maintaining the proper environmental conditions then your gecko will grow to be a healthy adult leopard gecko and thrive far past sexual maturity.

What do I do if my gecko refuses to eat?

If your gecko refuses to eat, do not panic! As my grandfather used to say, “panic kills.” Some geckos are just picky eaters! Check to make sure your tank doesn’t have an improper temperature anywhere. Check your humidity levels and your humid hide. Make sure the heat mat or other supplemental heat source is in proper working condition. Temperature issues are the most common cause of gecko appetite loss. If you’re certain the temperatures are where they need to be then you can move on to other environmental parameters. It may be a good idea to get a food scale and start tracking your gecko’s mass and the mass of its meals.

How long can my leopard gecko go without eating?

Leopard geckos can go quite a long time without eating a meal. But just because they can endure such treatment does not mean you should try to put them through this. Possible reasons for loss of appetite can be extensive so it’s best to feed your gecko regularly, when it is hungry. Offer fresh water always in a shallow dish. Female geckos may eat more or less during certain parts of the breeding season. A baby leopard gecko will generally not eat until after shedding his first old skin. Food items will be rejected until the shed is complete and both juvenile and adult leopard geckos can and will eat their own shed skin. This is completely normal. A gecko’s enclosure should be free from any uneaten live insects between feedings.

How do I force my leopard gecko to eat?

If your veterinarian advises you to do assisted feeding for your gecko you will need a powdered insectivore diet, an appropriately sized syringe, rubber gloves and a lot of patience. The goal is to get your gecko to eat as much as a normal meal (you were using a food scale, right?) without causing more stress and harm than is necessary. Hopefully this sort of thing only needs to be done once or twice before your gecko makes a rebound as assisted feedings can be very stressful especially for a little guy like a baby gecko.

If you need to monitor your gecko’s diet extra closely, try using paper towels as a loose substrate. It will be easy to see any extra live prey, you can more easily monitor the floor temperature and the cold sides and warm side. Your moist hide can remain in the enclosure. Some issues like intestinal parasites or fecal impaction can cause your gecko’s belly to look full or even distended. These things can be ruled out by your veterinarian after you have determined that your gecko’s cage has the proper temperatures.

Will a leopard gecko starve itself?

A leopard won’t starve itself, per se. But they can stop eating for many stress-related reasons like a new environment. If you’re feeding your gecko something like wax worms as more than the occasional treat then your gecko may “starve itself” in protest if you switch to dubia roaches. Female leopard geckos may “starve themselves” if they are busy worrying about producing or laying eggs. The best way to keep tabs on your gecko and its appetite is to track its mass and the mass of its meals with a food scale. If your gecko loses a lot of weight, you will immediately notice. You will be able to discern trends over long periods of time.

What should I do if my leopard gecko won’t eat?

It’s a good idea to do a few different things when your gecko won’t eat. For starters, check your tank temperature, both the cool side and the hot side. Give your gecko a warm bath. Try to determine when he last pooped. Weigh him and begin to find alternative food options that you can offer him. The first signs of trouble can be just simply your gecko skipping a meal. Again, don’t panic, because a healthy gecko can skip many, many meals before it becomes a serious health issue.

How do I know if my leopard gecko is dying?

If your leopard gecko is extremely lethargic and unable to open his eyes then it is probably time to see a veterinarian. A dramatic lack of appetite will cause your gecko’s fat tail to shrink down in size and become quite thin. If you are starting to see your gecko’s hip bones protruding then he is likely underweight. Gecko’s can lose body weight during the winter months when they don’t eat as much and their digestive system slows down but a dramatic loss of weight will be visually obvious. Adult geckos have an appetite that is more affected by the time of year.

Metabolic bone disease is definitely something to be aware of when raising young geckos but generally is unrelated to appetite issues unless you’re dealing with terminal MBD. Rapid weight loss can be alarming for your gecko’s health. There is a good chance that your gecko is having issues getting to his heat pad or heat bulbs. A healthy diet is reliant on proper husbandry. The good news is that the potential reasons your gecko may not be eating are relatively easy to solve.

There can be many, many reasons your leopard gecko may stop eating. For instance, something as simple as leaving dead insects in your gecko’s tank. Or even new surroundings or an incomplete shed. All these things and more can cause your gecko to deviate from his normal eating regimen. Even fussy eaters will have some type of pattern to their natural feeding cycles.

Has your gecko ever chosen to skip a meal or more? How did you deal with it? Do you keep records your gecko’s health and weight? What works for you? What doesn’t? Leave a comment or reply down below to let us know!

The post Why won’t my leopard gecko eat? appeared first on Gecko Time.

How many crickets should I put in my leopard gecko tank?

Adult leopard geckos and baby leopard geckos will eat different sized food items. For now, let’s ignore the size and focus on quantity. It’s a good practice to periodically test your gecko’s appetite with live insects or whatever food you prefer to feed. The addition of calcium powder here is OK but not necessary. See how much your gecko will eat in 5 mins. 6 mins. How long, and how many prey items, until they appear disinterested? This is the amount you should feed every other day or so.

Can a leopard gecko eat too many crickets?

No. Adult geckos and baby geckos will not overeat and harm themselves. However, you will want to remove any uneaten prey items, especially if your gecko is a picky eater. Leaving live food in the tank can cause your gecko a great deal of stress. Whether you feed wax worms, dubia roaches, meal worms, you don’t really have to worry about overfeeding your gecko. Calcium supplements also cannot really be overdone. Use them at every feeding if you wish. It will definitely help prevent metabolic bone disease. It’s also worth the trouble to find a good reptile multivitamin for optimum nutritional value. Leopard gecko owners will end up feeding an adult leopard gecko large crickets. Juvenile leopard geckos will eat small crickets or medium crickets. The goal is to keep the prey item smaller (in every dimension) than the distance between your gecko’s eyes. This will ensure that your gecko doesn’t choke.

How often should I feed my leopard gecko crickets?

We recommend you try feeding your gecko ideally every other day but at least twice a week. It is important to note that your gecko may or may not eat every time you offer him food. That is OK. Make sure your gecko’s environment has the ideal temperatures and other parameters. Offer fresh water in a water dish at all times.

Can you overfeed a leopard gecko?

No you cannot overfeed a leopard gecko but it is important that you do not leave any live prey items in his terrarium. If they were in their natural habitat they would find only enough food to fill up but not eat too much food. Same with clean water, they will drink from a shallow dish and stop when they are full. First thing to do when feeding your new gecko is to fully observe all feeding. Use a separate container to feed him in so you can easily monitor the quantity and time.

How do I know if my leopard gecko is hungry?

If your gecko is losing body weight and is active and looking for food during early morning and evening hours especially, then he is probably looking for something to eat. A small dish of meal worms or wax worms would be much appreciated on a regular feeding schedule. Yes, leopard geckos can sometimes be low maintenance but they still thrive with a varied diet served on a strict schedule. Young geckos will require more food and more frequent feeding. High fat content foods are ok but avoid making them staples. Nutritious food should be offered as the staple.

How do I know if my leopard gecko is happy?

If your leopard gecko is active, has a healthy appetite, and alert then they are probably happy! A healthy gecko will be hungry at the appropriate time and he will appreciate a nutritious diet. He will also be active on a daily basis and free of health problems because you’ve offered a variety of insects with a multivitamin mineral supplement. These things are a great way to ensure your gecko lives a long healthy life.

When feeding your gecko you want to closely observe him and the size of the crickets, or other prey item. Make sure they’re no larger than the space between his eyes. The amount of food you feed will depend on many variables but the best way to ensure healthy rapid growth is to pay attention to your gecko. Use gut loading methods if you’re able. Your pet leopard gecko will live a long and healthy life if you address their nutritional needs and offer a healthy food source on a regular schedule. The best time of a day to feed your young leopard gecko is in the early morning or evening hours. Pay attention to your little guy, small animals will tell you what they need if you pay attention to their behavior.

The post How many crickets should a leopard gecko eat? appeared first on Gecko Time.

Does a gecko need a heat lamp?

Yes and no. It’s complicated. For instance, leopard geckos don’t need a heat lamp but they do need a heat source of some kind so they will appreciate a heat lamp if nothing else is used to give them a temperature gradient. Some geckos, like day geckos, will prefer a heat lamp over a heat mat or heating pad. If your species of gecko prefers belly heat then you will want to consider a heat pad or heat rocks, not a ceramic heater or light source. These options can work in a pinch but over the long term it is best to cater to your gecko and mimic his natural habitat as much as possible.

Can a gecko live without a heat lamp?

Yes, but only if you are providing supplemental heat from another source like a under tank heater, heat pad, or heat rocks. The best way to obtain the correct temperatures is to use a digital thermometer to measure both the hot side and the cool side. Monitor these temperatures during the day time and night time to ensure your gecko is at the proper temperature. Finding the appropriate temperature and the best type of light for your gecko can be tricky but with the right tools it’s much easier.

What happens if a gecko doesn’t have a heat lamp?

If a gecko has no heat lamp or other source of supplemental heat, he will become lethargic and lose his appetite. You will notice he will have a lower body temperature. These conditions can lead to other problems in our nocturnal animals, like: respiratory infections, excessive weight loss, lethargy, and worse. You always want to provide a supplemental heat source to help your gecko reach his or her ideal temperature. Whether you use heat bulbs, a ceramic bulb, hot rocks, or head pads, you will want to make sure your geckos heat source is in proper working order, especially during the winter.

How long do you leave a heat lamp on for a gecko?

If you are using a bright light like red lights or white lights to simulate a natural habitat, then we recommend you turn the lights off at night. If your overnight low temperatures put your gecko at risk, you will want to consider adding a heat source that doesn’t produce visible light. Simulating the normal diurnal cycle of night and day that happens outside is important to your gecko’s health. A general rule is to do 12 hours of daytime and 12 hours of nighttime. You can adjust as necessary if there is too much heat but your pet leopard gecko will appreciate roughly half day and half night.

How do you keep a gecko warm without a heat lamp?

There are many options to keep your gecko warm without a heat lamp. For instance, you can use a head pad. These are very popular and hide under the tank on the hot end making it easier to provide a natural environment inside the tank. A ceramic heat emitter is another great option. These fit into the standard ceramic socket the same as household incandescent bulbs but they do not produce visible light. They are very durable and easy to add to your gecko’s basking area.

UVB bulbs and UVB lights of the fluorescent type do not produce much heat and so they do not make good heating devices. They do provide a way for reptiles to process vitamin D if your gecko requires that type of lighting. It is never a good idea to put any live animal in a tank in direct natural light.

When providing your gecko with supplemental heat, you might consider using basking lights or heat lamps to obtain the proper temperature. There are also other options that your gecko may prefer, depending on what species it is. It is up to you to determine which solution fits your budget, your gecko’s needs, and the enclosure you provide for it. Health problems can arise if you are not providing a consistent temperature for your gecko. Proper heating is one of the most important things for your gecko’s well-being.

If you have any questions or comments please leave them in the reply section below. We’d love to hear your thoughts on which heating method works best for your gecko.

The post Does a gecko need a heat lamp? appeared first on Gecko Time.

What kind of live plants can you put in a gecko tank?

If you’re going to put live plants in your gecko tank you will want to choose something that is non toxic, relatively hardy, and also something that doesn’t require too much bright light. A leopard gecko enclosure in general is not a place where we mimic direct sunlight anyways so best to avoid real plants that require bright sunlight and UV light.

So what plants should you use? We like to use pothos, snake plants, air plants, and other similar plants that will grow well and not require too much attention from a human.

Do leopard geckos need live plants?

Leopard geckos do not need live plants and they probably don’t really mind all that much as they don’t even consume any plants. But one cannot argue with how glass tanks can really look like a natural habitat with live plants, especially the right type of plant. Live plants in the terrarium can also help keep humidity levels high. Artificial plants don’t help with humidity at all. Sphagnum moss is another great “natural” option that isn’t necessarily alive always but it does add a lot to a leopard gecko’s tank and makes a great choice for decor.

What plants are toxic to leopard geckos?

Firstly, you’ll want to avoid the known toxic plants that are already commonly available like a poinsettia. Avoid nightshades as a general rule. I personally recommend people stay away from junipers, succulents, and calla lilies also. It would be impossible to publish an exhaustive list of plants to avoid. It’s much better to stick to those plants grown for the pet industry and known to be safe.

What can I put in my leopard gecko’s tank?

There are so many options! You can even put both fake AND live plants in the same leopard gecko’s tank. He won’t mind. Some folks like to decorate with a natural habitat in mind and some people like to decorate with their own preferred motif. Whether or not you’re into the natural look, you can always add a couple live plants to spruce up your leopard gecko tank.

Should I spray my leopard gecko with water?

Yes it is a good idea to spray your gecko with water. We find this helps remind them to seek a drink if they’re thirsty. It also helps aid in shedding issues as it will create higher humidity levels. Lastly, most live plants definitely appreciate a nice spritzing with some fresh water so you can hit two birds with one stone on this one!

One thing to keep in mind with live plants is how you’re going to provide the best substrate for your gecko while still accommodating the plants. Bioactive enclosures are becoming more popular and much cheaper to set up but they still require additional attention from the gecko keeper. Check with your local pet store to see which they recommend as hardy plants for your leopard gecko terrarium.

The post Can you put live plants in a leopard gecko tank? appeared first on Gecko Time.

Are heat lamps good for leopard geckos?

Heat lamps are good for leopard geckos so long as they are being used properly. They are ideally used in conjunction with a tank heater like a heating pad to create the necessary temperature gradient. If you’re trying to recreate a natural habitat, then a white light may be preferred for maximum visible light. So long as you are maintaining the ideal temperatures, your gecko will thrive.

How many watts should a heat lamp be for a leopard gecko?

Reptile lights and heating lamps can vary in wattage from 20W and up. The best way to obtain the ideal body temperature for your gecko is to use a digital thermometer to test your gecko’s hot spot. Move the heat source to reach the ideal temperature for your gecko. Even the best heat lamp will still need to be adjusted and tested to reach the appropriate temperature. You will not need to focus on the wattage as much as the location of the bulb relative to your gecko. Regardless of how many watts your lamp is, make sure you buy a fixture with a ceramic socket for safety concerns.

Do leopard geckos need a red heat lamp at night?

Leopard geckos do not need a red heat lamp at night. If your overnight temperatures are too low you might think about adding a heating lamp with a red or black bulb to keep the air temperature up at night.

Should I leave heat lamp on a night leopard gecko?

Yes it can be a good idea to leave a heat lamp on a night leopard gecko. Similarly you can leave a heating mat on for your nocturnal reptiles. They will appreciate the warm side of the tank, especially in cooler climates.

Are red heat lamps bad for leopard geckos?

No, red heat lamps are not bad for leopard geckos. If you have concerns about your gecko and the day-night cycle or how much natural light your gecko is exposed to as a nocturnal animal, then I recommend switching to a different heating source like a ceramic heater.

Do leopard geckos need a heat lamp 24/7?

Yes it is a good idea to leave your gecko’s heat lamp (or other heat source) on 24/7. The bright light of morning created by a daylight bulb will help your gecko feel more like his tank is like his natural environment. A proper day-night cycle will help him enjoy both night time and a cooler time of day.

It is always best to obtain UVB bulbs, UVB lighting, heat pats, and heat bulbs from reputable reptile suppliers. A normal bright white light bulb from a big box store will not be best suited for your reptiles. Whether buying red bulbs or blue bulbs, UV bulbs, or heat pads, make sure your equipment is designed to be used for pets. Many time these are the best type of light simply because they are designed with animal safety in mind.

The post What are the best heat lamps for your leopard gecko? appeared first on Gecko Time.