Your First Reptilian Friend
- Feb 19, 2015
- 2 min read
Are you thinking of buying your first reptile but can’t decide which to buy? For first time reptile keepers, a great starter would be the leopard gecko!
About the Leopard gecko
Leopard geckos, also known as Leo’s in the reptile community, are nocturnal lizards that live in the “desert regions of Afghanistan, Iran, India, and Pakistan.” Their main diet consists of insects such as crickets and mealworms; however, they can be fed other insects like hornworms and dubia roaches as well. Female Leo’s are typically smaller (7-8in.) than the males(8-11 in.) at adult age, but size can vary based on their genetics and other variables.
Because of their calm demeanor, hardiness, and handling tolerance, they are a great gateway into the reptilian world! Their unique colors and patterns will catch others’ attentions, and soon enough you may love or hate having to explain what your little friend is.
Required Items
In order to keep your gecko happy, you will need to buy a few items before purchasing your little reptile friend.
You will need:
A 10 gallon tank for babies/juveniles and a 20 gallon tank for adults. Or just buy the 20 gallon and save money.
An undertank heater
Sleeping hide
Plant(s)
Climbing perch(Not the fish)
Reptile carpet (Never use sand; it can cause impaction and kill the gecko.)
Calcium supplement (Calcium powder to dust the insects)
Water bowl
Temperament
Leopard geckos are hardy lizards that tolerate handling and rarely bite. Due to their calm nature, they are not only great for adults but also for kids who are responsible enough to keep one. However, like all lizards, they are still skittish creatures. If they are startled, they will drop their tail in an attempt to escape, or screech in order to startle you and run while you’re stunned.
Another Good Starter
Another good starter lizard would be the crested gecko一nicknamed Crested, Cresteds and Cresties in the reptile community. However, from personal experience, crested geckos are harder to feed. My crested gecko often goes through fasting phases and decides to eat when it is inconvenient for me. My leopard gecko eats like a glutton and hardly ever refuses food.
However, my Leo is more skittish than my crested gecko and doesn’t tolerate as much handling as my Crested does. She runs if she is pet, and my Crested just stands where he is without being bothered by the hand if he is petted.
Leopard geckos run faster than Cresteds especially when they are young. But Cresteds jump off from high elevations and can climb to unreachable areas if given the chance.
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