Mary Allen
The leopard gecko is one of the most frequently kept reptiles in the world. The leopard gecko is very popular not only because of its unusual color shapes but also because of its curious and trusting behavior. It can also be kept well in a terrarium and is also suitable for beginners in terrorists.
Description and Keeping of the Leopard Gecko
The leopard gecko is native to the area between Iraq and northwest India. There he mainly inhabits steppes and rocky deserts, but also grasslands in part. With his great different drawings and a seemingly constant grin on his face, he already looks likable at first glance.
He is twilight and nocturnal animal, which you get to see every now and then during the day because these animals are very curious. If they notice something or if you give them food animals, they can be seen very quickly and also for a short while. It is best to keep leopard geckos in a small group. The optimal size of the terrarium for a group of one male and two to four females is at least 120 x 60 x 60 cm. It is important that several males do not get along with one another, and this can lead to violent quarrels.
Terrarium Floor for the Leopard Gecko
Preferably use a sand-loam mixture as the substrate. However, coarse play box sand is also very suitable. Leopard geckos avoid loose, dusty, and sharp-edged sand. Clay can cause the toes to clump together, become too firm for the animals to dig, and possibly lead to dust deposits in the lungs. In addition, severe constipation can result if it is eaten with you.
Under no circumstances should the substrate contain calcium; calcium spheres, in particular, must be rejected as a substrate. The most important thing is a high layer of soil, which should be moist at depth (not wet, but the caves should be damp). In addition to spraying, this ensures a better terrarium climate and prevents molting difficulties.
Hiding Places for Eublepharis Macularis
Hiding places are very important for leopard geckos. Stone slabs or cork caves are suitable for this so that the animals can withdraw a little during the day. Flat stone slabs are preferred. You should install this in a roll-over-proof manner. Pressed or natural cork panels are highly recommended as the back wall because the leopard geckos climb on them and they will find adequate support. However, before you put animals in a terrarium that you can no longer easily disinfect afterward, you should urgently have a fecal examination done.
Important for Terrarium Lighting for Leopard Geckos: Seasonal Rhythm
For lighting, use a fluorescent tube as a daylight lamp, as well as two spots with 25 to 40 watts, depending on the size and height of the terrarium. Make sure that the ambient temperature in the terrarium is around 28 ° C during the day and up to 40 ° C in the sunshine. At night you turn off the lights and let the temperature cool down to room temperature.
A seasonal rhythm is also important, i.e. that the lighting time is shortened towards autumn. Hibernation is essential for a stable immune system and a good hormonal balance.
Diet of the leopard gecko
Leopard geckos drink very regularly, so make sure you have a bowl of fresh water every day. They mainly feed on insects such as house crickets, grasshoppers, or crickets. In addition to a good vitamin powder, calcium should always be available in the form of crumbled sepia pulp in a bowl. Larvae (wax moth larvae, mealworms, zoophobic, etc.) are only conditionally suitable as food animals because of their high fat and protein content.
Note on Species Protection
Many terrarium animals are under species protection because their populations in the wild are endangered or could be endangered in the future. Therefore the trade is partly regulated by law. However, there are already many animals from German offspring. Before buying animals, please inquire whether special legal provisions need to be observed.