Michael Bryan

Written by Michael Bryan

Modified & Updated: 30 Dec 2023

Sherman Smith

Reviewed by Sherman Smith

leopard gecko on a log, leopard gecko facts

Finally, a list of leopard gecko facts! This type of reptile enjoys being touched and held by people, yet it remains a mystery if they understand the meaning behind the touch. But one thing’s for sure, though – they absolutely love the warmth they get from people’s hands. Along with their beautiful color patterns and markings, they are also perfect pets for all ages since they are docile in nature and they don’t usually bite. If they do, then it will be minimal since they only have small teeth for hunting crickets.

These geckos are unique compared to normal geckos because they have a different environment. Leopard geckos are great survivalists. In fact, they stay in burrows for protection. Interested already? Check out more of these leopard gecko facts right now!

  1. Leopard geckos get their name from the leopard-like spots that cover the backs of adult leopard geckos.
  2. They are indigenous to the Middle East and parts of Northern India.
  3. The most notable trait of leopard geckos is their unusually gentle disposition.
  4. Many geckos lack eyelids, but not leopard geckos! They can even blink and close their eyes while sleeping.
  5. Leopard geckos have a tail that can detach if grabbed by a predator, giving them time to escape.
  1. Leopard geckos are available in many different colors and patterns.
  2. Nearly all geckos have a voice. Leopard geckos have a small “bark” they use if agitated but are not as vocal as other gecko species.
  3. With proper care, geckos can grow up to 9 inches and live for 10 or more years.
  4. Leopard geckos are nocturnal, keeping out of the heat of the day and coming out at night to forage for food.
  5. The incubation temperature will determine their gender.
  6. At 90°F, virtually all the eggs are male; near 80°F, most of the eggs will be female.
  7. An incubation temperature of 85°F will produce about an equal number of males and females.
  8. In times of famine, the leopard gecko can eat its tail, which contains a lot of fat.
  9. When hunting, mating, and defending territory, leopard geckos shake their tails.
  10. Leopard geckos have little claws instead of sticky pads like other types of geckos.
  1. People rarely spot them off of the ground.
  2. Leopard geckos don’t just eat crickets.
  3. They love all kinds of insects, including mealworms, super worms, and waxworms.
  4. Leopard geckos can see better than other gecko species. Their vision is comparable to that of a cat.
  5. They can’t swim.
Table of Contents

They are very good at laying low.

Their skin helps them hide from foxes, snakes, birds, and other large reptiles. Because of the harsh environment, they use their keen senses of hearing and sight to avoid threats.

They live in a rocky habitat.

Wild leopard geckos have a rocky habitat with clay-gravel soil below a layer of sand where they can make burrows to hide in during the day. They become more active during dawn and dusk at their preferred temperature. As pets, they also require a similar setup for their enclosure in order to feel at home.

gecko, rocky habitat
Image source: Pixabay

Leopard geckos’ diet consists of many insects.

These kinds of geckos are more excited to eat crickets, small locusts, moth larvas, mealworms, springtails, grasshoppers, and nesting mice, both in the wild or in captivity.

They communicate in many ways.

Leopard geckos have multiple ways of expressing distress, alarm, and annoyance. They chirp and click, which are both signals they use when conversing among themselves. They slowly shake their tails to notify other geckos that they have been noticed. A male leopard gecko also makes fast tail movements if he has found a female.

Apart from being solitary in nature, they are all inbreds as well.

Leopard geckos can live alone, but they can also live in a group with a single male and several females, or vice versa. Having several males in a group is impossible since they fight for mates using violence. It is said that all leopard geckos are inbreds because of a lot of breeding programs running nowadays.

People base a leopard gecko’s sexual maturity on size or weight.

Leopard geckos become sexually mature when their weight reaches over 30 grams or an ounce, at roughly 18 to 24 months of age. It is important to check their sexual maturity to determine which of them you can breed.

They are a very popular import.

The leopard gecko is one of the most commonly kept lizards because of its docile nature and how easily they are kept and bred as pets. Although they are native to dry and semi-desert areas in some Middle East and South Asian countries, these reptiles are very popular for import, satisfying the need of breeders and pet owners worldwide.

Tokay gecko clings into a tree
Image from Adobe Stock

They are easy to spot.

With an appearance that is often yellow in color with black spots, leopard geckos have truly earned their name. However, you can see them in a variety of colors, patterns, and sizes. Some of them have light to dark yellow colors and black marking with banded tails. Although it requires selective breeding programs to acquire different color combinations.

They have regenerating tails.

If you look closer, you will notice that they have segmented tails, so if they lose a part of it, it will still grow back. During winter, when food is really scarce, they can eat their fatty tails to survive, because after all, they always grow it back to normal.

They seem unusual compared to most geckos.

Unlike most geckos, all species in the genus Eublepharidae have moveable eyelids. They also slip on soft surfaces because they have claws instead of sticky pads and this is mainly because of their natural habitat. Moreover, they were forced to adapt in order to survive the harsh environment.

They shed their skin to prevent scent detection.

Shedding their own skin is a norm for most reptiles, and the leopard gecko is not an exception. However, the purpose of their shedding is not only for growth, but it is also to prevent their scent from being detected by predators. Adults would shed an average of at least once a month.

gecko shedding its skin
Image source: Flickr

Their skin is very durable.

The common leopard gecko’s skin is very durable, which provides protection from the rough sand and rocky terrain of their dry environment. They also have bumps covering their dorsal side, which gives a rough texture and appearance while their ventral side is thin, transparent, and smooth.

They have a keen sense of sight and hearing.

With keen senses of hearing and sight, these reptiles are very agile during nighttime. They also have skin that helps them hide from their predators. Common leopard geckos are not very expressive, but when alarmed, they will bark and squeak.

The largest leopard gecko weighed around 170 grams.

A lot of breeding facilities have been genetically modifying leopard geckos to produce morphs, two of these are the giant and supergiant leopard geckos that have been bred to a maximum size. They may reach 12 inches in length and weigh around 130 to 150 grams. The largest weighed around 170 grams.

Leopard geckos require trust to be a pet.

They say that a leopard gecko is a very special pet because it enjoys being handled, even though it can differentiate a simple touch from affection. These adorable creatures love being held because our hands are warm, providing them comfort at the same time. However, if mishandled they could end up cranky and untrusting, so it would be best to be careful.

pet reptile, gecko
Image source: Pixabay

Their bite doesn’t hurt.

A leopard gecko’s bite doesn’t hurt badly because they don’t have big teeth, while our skin is thick enough to endure its biting force, which is primarily for eating crickets.

They are good pets for all ages.

Leopard geckos are really great pets for everyone since they are docile and placid in nature, combined with their beautiful and attractive color patterns. All members of the family can hold them without worrying because they don’t really bite for no reason at all.

Juveniles should be fed daily.

If you are a pet owner of a juvenile leopard gecko, you should take in mind that they need food daily. It is because their nutrient requirement is bigger than that of an adults’, that can feed every other day. You should also take note that the food size should not be bigger than the gecko’s head to prevent accidents.

Set up their enclosure that mimics their natural habitat.

Setting up their enclosure must also resemble their natural habitat so that it can also display their natural behavior. As a pet owner, you can put hiding places, or low, sturdy branches or rocks for them to climb.

lizard, gecko, enclosure
Image source: Piqsels

They need a place that can regulate their body temperature.

In its enclosure, it is also important to provide them with areas that have heat lamps, and a cooler area on the other end, which is called thermogradient. Leopard geckos also need ultraviolet light and a dry environment. Exposing a leopard gecko to ultraviolet light provides them with Vitamin D, which is essential for them to acquire calcium.

Was this page helpful?

Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do. Each fact on our site is contributed by real users like you, bringing a wealth of diverse insights and information. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, our dedicated editors meticulously review each submission. This process guarantees that the facts we share are not only fascinating but also credible. Trust in our commitment to quality and authenticity as you explore and learn with us.