The Leopard Gecko Manual. Philippe De Vosjoil
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from an egg that was laid in captivity.
herp: collective term for both reptiles and amphibians.
herper: a person who is interested in herps and has herps as pets; also called a herp hobbyist or herp keeper.
herpetoculture: the keeping and breeding of herps as pets.
herpetoculturist: someone who practices herpetoculture.
herpetologist: a scientist who studies reptiles and amphibians.
snout–vent length (SVL): the length of an animal from the tip of the nose to the vent; in other words, the length of the animal, not including the tail.
vivarium: an enclosure housing reptiles, amphibians, or other small animals, usually containing live plants, soil, and other natural features.
wild-caught: brought into the pet trade from its natural habitat.
Left: Close-up of a male leopard gecko’s tail base, showing enlarged preanal pores and hemipenal bulges. Right: Close-up of a female leopard gecko’s tail base.
CHAPTER 2
Your Pet Leopard Gecko
If you are reading this book, you are likely already interested in keeping a leopard gecko as a pet. You have already been charmed by the leopard gecko’s bright colors and cute face that seems to be perpetually smiling.
If so, you are in great company. Leopard geckos are one of most popular of all reptile pets. They have earned their popularity by being hardy and easy to care for as well as by being docile and having beautiful coloration. Additionally, they are not noisy and—as long as you clean the cage—do not smell. They will even tolerate some handling. If you think you ever want to breed reptiles, leopard geckos are ideal as your first breeding project.
In order to successfully keep a leopard gecko, you need to know where to find leopard geckos, how to pick out a healthy one, and how to handle one safely.
Many adult leopard geckos, especially males, will remain calm with regular but brief periods of handling.
Leopard Gecko Sources
Leopard geckos are popular pets, but if you’ve never kept a reptile before, you might not know where to find one. The obvious source is a pet store, and, indeed, that can be a great place to get a leopard gecko. There are also some other options that you might want to consider.
Pet Stores
Local and large chain pet-supply stores frequently offer leopard geckos and other small reptiles for sale. Before buying your pet from any store, make sure it’s a reputable place. It should be clean and well lit, and not have an offensive odor (within reason—when dealing with live animals, it’s nearly impossible to be odor-free). All of the animals should be kept in clean conditions appropriate for their species. If the store does not meet these standards, don’t reward them with your business.
It is a sound idea to browse the store to see if it carries all the supplies you will need going forward. You will need a source for your food, vitamins, substrate, and more. You may want to see if the store can special-order the particular items or brands you want.
Before buying your gecko, inquire about the store’s animal guarantee and return policy. Most stores will guarantee their animals for two days to two weeks. Make sure you understand the store’s policy—get it in writing if you can—so that if you end up with an unhealthy gecko or have some other issue, you will have some recourse.
Cage before Lizard
Always buy the enclosure and other accessories before you bring a leopard gecko home. Set everything up at least a day in advance and make sure all of the equipment works. Check that the enclosure’s temperature falls in the correct range. Arrange the landscape to find the look you want.
Having the vivarium ready before you bring your new pet home lowers the stress it will experience. As soon as you get your gecko home, you can introduce it to its new digs instead of making it wait in a box while you scramble to set up its enclosure.
Reptile Shows
In many areas of the United States, there are semi-regular reptile shows, also called reptile expos. These are one- or two-day events that bring together many vendors selling live reptiles, supplies, and related items. One of these shows can be a great source for your leopard gecko. You can find out about reptile shows online or in reptile publications.
At a show, you will likely have many geckos to choose from, and you will be able to see them all up close—but don’t just buy the first nice gecko you see. Visit several vendors and be sure to make note of the vendors who have geckos that catch your eye.
Because reptile shows attract both big-name and hobbyist breeders, it can be easier to find specific color varieties—usually called morphs—at shows than in pet stores. Shows can also offer good opportunities to talk directly to breeders or other experts about gecko care. Remember to be considerate. While most will perfectly happy to talk to you, they are there to sell animals and supplies. For some, reptile shows may be a significant part of their income. If a vendor you’d really like to talk to is busy with customers, ask for his or her contact information and reach out at another time.
Some of the same rules for buying a gecko at a pet store apply here. Make sure you are getting a healthy gecko. Ask to hold the gecko in which you are interested to get a closer look. If you see someone selling dirty, underweight, or otherwise unhealthy animals at his or her table, choose a different vendor.
Some vendors will offer a guarantee at the show; others will not. It’s not necessarily a sign of a bad vendor if he or she won’t offer a guarantee. After all, how does the vendor know that you didn’t leave the gecko in your hot car for a few hours while you went for lunch? If your chosen vendor does offer a guarantee, be sure that you understand the details and get his or her contact information before you complete the sale.
The leopard gecko’s distinct looks and behavioral qualities make it a popular reptile pet.
Online Sellers
It’s becoming more and more common to buy reptiles and other animals via the Internet. Usually this means buying directly from a breeder’s website, but you could be buying from a retailer who did not produce the geckos him- or herself.
Buying online might be the best method of obtaining a leopard gecko if you want a specific morph or want to purchase from a specific breeder. Most breeders have photos of their stock on their website. You can select the exact gecko you want and pay via credit card, and the seller will ship the gecko to your door.
The downside of buying online is that you cannot inspect the gecko for health, nor can you check out the breeding facility. It’s a good idea to research the vendor’s online reputation and avoid those sellers who have many negative reviews. Again, be sure you understand whatever guarantee the seller offers. Most online vendors guarantee only live arrival; that is, they guarantee that the gecko will be alive when it reaches you, but you are on your own afterward.
Leopard gecko lines developed by David Nieves: tangerine (top) and high-contrast with orange tint (bottom).
Rescues and Shelters
The leopard gecko’s popularity means that sometimes geckos are purchased by owners who decide that