Scientific name

Eublepharis macularius

Eublepharis macularius is the leopard gecko, native to South Asia. [2]

Origin

Southern Afghanistan, Pakistan and north-western India according to MedVet; rocky terrain and dry scrub described by the RSPCA. [1][2]

  • Terrestrial
  • Crepuscular
  • Insectivorous
  • Individual housing

At a glance

ADULT SIZE20–25 cm
Measurement convention not specified [2].
LIFESPANUp to 20 years
RSPCA reference [1].
LIFESTYLEGround-dwelling
Crepuscular activity [1].

Adult size

20–25 cm in the MedVet guide, with no length measurement convention specified. [2]

Adult weight

45–80 g according to MedVet; males are generally larger. This descriptive range is not a feeding target. [2]

Lifespan

Up to 20 years according to the RSPCA. [1]

Lifestyle

Ground-dwelling and mainly active at dusk; it hunts invertebrates. [1][3]

Beginner with guidance

Editorial assessment: manageable with guidance, provided that prey and supplements are properly managed and the humid hide and food intake are monitored. [1][3]

Housing

SHELTERS AT GROUND LEVEL

60 × 30 × 40 cm — RSPCA minimum; length × depth × height [1].

RSPCA minimum: 60 × 30 × 40 cm, length × depth × height, for one adult. [1]

Care parameters

WARM SPOT · DAY

28–30 °C — RSPCA reference [1].

COOL AREA · DAY

24–26 °C — Separate measurement [1].

Humidity

30–40 % — Cool end; separate humid hide [1].

Day

Warm spot 28–30 °C; cool area 24–26 °C [1] Thermostat; separate measurements.

Night

18–20 °C [1] Heat without light if needed.

UVB

UVI 0,7 at the warm end → 0 in the shade [1] 12 h/12 h; red-eyed morphs need individual assessment.

Humidity

30–40 % at the cool end [1] Add a separate humid hide.

Feeding

A VARIETY OF INSECTS

Varied, well-fed insects; frequency adapted to age [3].

Substrate, water and shelters

Warm and cool shelters, a humid hide; hardening clay or rough stones. Use a non-loose substrate for very young animals; avoid calcium sand. [1]

MedVet recommends replacing the water in an accessible shallow dish daily. Keeping accessories easy to clean makes it possible to see droppings and track what has actually been eaten. [2]

Meals suited to growth

Chicago Exotics suggests insects daily for young animals and every other day for adults. Vary suitable prey, feeding the insects before offering them; remove any remaining insects. The quantity depends on their size and on the animal. [3]

Provide calcium and vitamins in accordance with UVB exposure and diet. Agree on a programme with the veterinarian and follow the labels; no D3 dosage is prescribed here. [3]

Handling and living together

The RSPCA favours individual housing. [1] Fright or pulling can cause tail loss; the regrown tail looks different. Never grab the tail. [3]

Breeding and limitations

A female can produce infertile eggs: a moist egg-laying site remains useful even without a male. [1] Chicago distinguishes sexual maturity from actual readiness to breed; a stated age alone is therefore not enough to start breeding a pair. [3]

Incubation is not covered in detail here. The plan must include housing for the young, observation of the female and veterinary help if egg-laying seems abnormal. No seasonal temperature drop is suggested as an automatic step.

Signs to record promptly

A thinning tail, diarrhoea, vomiting or a soft jaw warrant a consultation. Tight retained shed on the toes threatens their circulation. [3] The log describes these signs without establishing their cause.

Comparing weights over time and alongside body shape provides more information than a single threshold in grams. [4] Record activity, food intake, droppings and the condition of the toes daily; also record any changes to heating, furnishings or food so the context can be traced.

Checklist

  • Prepare three types of shelter. [1]
  • Organise feeding and care of feeder insects. [3]
  • Check the toes and access to water daily. [2][3]

Observations to record

  • Weight and body shape
  • Food intake
  • Shedding around the toes
  • Droppings
  • Day and night measurements

The app provides individual animal records. Check which features are available for your animal in the released version.

Related guides

Related guides

Original guides in French

Sources

Document-based overview; not a substitute for veterinary advice.

  1. RSPCA — Caring for your Leopard Gecko
    Source accessed
  2. MedVet — Leopard Gecko Information and Care Recommendations
    Source accessed
  3. Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital — Leopard Gecko Care
    Source accessed
  4. Merck Veterinary Manual — Clinical Procedures for Reptiles
    Source accessed