Caring for Your Leopard Gecko in Nashua, NH

Leopard geckos are native to the arid regions of Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, and Iran. Their generally calm temperament, manageable size, and straightforward husbandry make them a popular pet for both first-time reptile owners and experienced hobbyists. While considered one of the more forgiving reptile species, leopard geckos still require proper housing, heat, lighting, diet, and supplementation to remain healthy.

Housing

A properly sized enclosure is essential for your leopard gecko's health and well-being.

Enclosure Size & Type

  • Minimum enclosure size: 20-gallon glass aquarium
  • Larger enclosures are strongly encouraged
  • Small plastic pet-store enclosures should be used for transport only, not permanent housing

Leopard geckos are primarily terrestrial. They benefit from:

  • A secure screen top
  • Multiple hiding areas
  • Non-toxic plants, caves, and low climbing structures

Substrate

Leopard geckos do not burrow or dig, and substrate choice is critical.

Recommended substrates

  • Indoor/outdoor carpet
  • Reptile carpet or felt

These are safe, easy to clean, and hygienic.

Do NOT use:

  • Sand (including calcium sand)
  • Wood shavings or mulch
  • Corn cob bedding
  • Gravel or rock sand

Loose substrates can lead to dehydration, retained sheds, eye irritation or conjunctivitis, and gastrointestinal impaction.

If sand is used despite recommendations, feeding must occur in a separate container to prevent ingestion. Small-particle substrates are strongly discouraged.

Social Housing

If housing multiple geckos:

  • Only house similarly sized leopard geckos together
  • Do not mix species
  • Monitor closely for bullying or food competition

Hydration Methods

  • Provide fresh, unchlorinated water at all times
  • Use a shallow, easily accessible dish
  • Wash and refill daily, clean with hot soapy water and rinse well

Temperature

Leopard geckos require both warm and cool zones.

  • Warm side: 80–85°F
  • Cool side: 70–75°F

Provide:

  • Heat lamp over one side of the enclosure
  • Under-tank heating pad (thermostat recommended)

Heat rocks are not recommended due to burn risk.

Lighting

UVB light is required to maintain healthy leopard geckos. It prevents metabolic bone disease (MBD) and supports calcium metabolism.

Guidelines:

  • UVB lighting on during daylight hours year-round
  • UVB between the hours of 4–5 pm are found to be most beneficial
  • Fluorescent UV bulbs must be replaced every 6 months
  • UV bulbs emit UV long before visible light burns out
  • UVB bulbs do not produce heat and must be paired with a heat source

Natural sunlight can be beneficial when safely provided, but glass filters out UV light. Always ensure shade is available.

You can learn more about UVB Lighting here

Humidity

Although leopard geckos are desert-adapted, they still require controlled humidity.

  • Ideal humidity: 30–40%
  • Periodic light misting helps maintain hydration

A moist hide should always be available to assist with shedding. Use:

  • Damp paper towels or sphagnum moss
  • Swedish dish towels that are wet, rung out and shaped as a hide
  • Replace daily to prevent bacterial or fungal growth

Salmonella

All reptiles can carry salmonella, even when healthy.

  • Always wash hands after handling
  • Supervise children
  • Use extra caution for immunocompromised individuals

Feeding

Leopard geckos are insectivores. Prey size should never exceed the distance between the gecko's eyes.

Juveniles

Worms available at all times
Live crickets twice daily

Adults

Crickets and worms 3–4 times per week
Overweight geckos should be fed only 2 times weekly

Gut Loading

Proper nutrition depends on feeder insect quality. Gut-load insects 24–48 hours before feeding using dark leafy greens (kale, endive), carrots (vitamin A source), or commercial gut-load diets

Juveniles should gain weight steadily and increase in length approximately 1 inch per month for the first 8 months. Failure to grow normally suggests illness or nutritional deficiency.

Supplements

  • Calcium without D3: every feeding
  • Multivitamin with D3: weekly
  • Vitamin A supplement: every 1–2 weeks

Remove uneaten insects within 15 minutes to prevent stress or injury.

Leopard Gecko On The Rock With Open Mouth, Clean Background, Czech Republic

Preventative Care

  • Annual veterinary examinations are strongly recommended
  • Twice-yearly fecal testing helps detect parasites early
  • Early intervention significantly improves outcomes

Common Medical Problems

Common conditions:

  • Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD): rubbery jaw or limbs due to improper diet or UVB
  • Retained sheds: especially on toes; often linked to dehydration or vitamin A deficiency
  • Intestinal parasites: common in new or symptomatic geckos

When to Call Your Veterinarian

Monitor for changes in appetite, activity, stool or urates, body condition, and skin and shedding quality.

Emergency signs include:

  • Bloating
  • Bloody stool
  • Heavy breathing
  • Seizures
  • Lameness
  • Strictures on the body from retained shed
  • Eyes sealed shut and unable to eat