How to Buy, Choose and Care for Pet Geckos

Geckos are perfect pets for the beginner or intermediate herptologist. There are over 1000 types of these lizards, although only 8 types are widely sold in pet stores and make good pets. They are recommended for children 10 and up with the supervision of an adult. These lizards are unique based on the abilty of most to use the toe pads to climb. Most lay eggs, but some give birth to live babies. They are found in warm weather areas such as the tropics and deserts.  Younger lizards have stripes which then turn to spots. Most make some type of noise (expect Leopard Geckos).  Adults shed 2 to 4 times per year while babies shed every week or so.  They grow to between 4" and 10" depending on the type, and are perfect for anyone that live or only can spare a small space.

• Recommended for Beginners
• Eyelash Crested
  
• Gargoyle
  
• Panther (also called Madagascar, Ground, Ocelot, Pictus )
  
• Leopard Geckos
  
  
• Recommended for Intermediates
• Crocodile
  
• White-Lined
  
• Golden
  
• Fat Tailed
  

Capture Lizards in the Wild or Purchase from a Pet or Online Store?

Pet reptiles are either caught in the wild or purchased from a breeder.  Both types are found in pet stores. We always recommend purchasing lizards that were bred in captivity. They have fewer lizard diseases, and are started on a proper diet. Lizards bred in captivity also have already adapted to this type of habitat. 

Prior to purchasing your lizard, check the body condition for signs of poor health.  This can be brought on by parasites or malnutrition. Signs of health problems include:

• Skin injuries or trauma
• Skin swelling, or discolored skin
  
• Discharge fro nose or eyes
  
• Missing limbs
• Mites which cause head twitching against the side of the terrarium
• Red spots on the body indicate nutrition problems
• labored breathing
• lethargy (tired, slow behavior)
• Shedding problems
  

Some signs may appear after the lizard is brought home.  This can include:

• weight loss
• no appetite
• diarrhea
  

Conversely, signs of good lizard health include:

• Bright, clear, clean eyes (no cloudy appearance)
• Normal gait (walks like you would expect)
• Normal appetite (eating, drinking)
  
• Fat tail
  

Lizard Buying Tip: When in the pet store ask the clerk to place a live cricket in the cage. Buy the pet that runs over and catches the cricket.  Those that aren't interested might not be as healthy.

Ask the online or pet store about any health guarantees before purchasing.  One tipe when in a pet store.

How Long Do Geckos Live?

These lizards can live in captivity for 20 years or more. Because of the long life span be sure that you are ready to make a long term commitment to your pet.

Handling Tips

Do not handle when young, since dropping the animal can cause injury. To get your lizard used to being handled, wait until the pet is 6 inches, place the lizard on the floor and allow it to crawl throug the fingers and around the hand. Do this for 10 to 15 minutes each day. After a week the lizard should be acclimated to being handled. Note that the tail will fall off as a survival mechanism if grabbed. The tail will grow back in about 40 days.

Do not place two males in the same cage.  Only place males and females together that are the same size. If you are a beginner start with one lizard, and then add more as you get comfortable with the species.

Gecko Terrariums

A lizard terrarium is similar to a glass aquarium. If you have a Leopard Gecko, then you do not have to worry about your pet climbing up the walls of the tank.  Others are skilled climbers and can even walk upside down. Because of this you'll need an aquarium with a secure lid.


Single lizards can be kept in a 10 gallon cage.  Add 10 gallons for each additional pet. Each cage requires a substrate that lines the bottom of the tank. Good choices are Eco Earth, or paper pulp purchased from a pet store. Calcium sand may be consmed by the lizard and cause health problems, although this is rare.   Each lizard has a required temperature range for daytime and then 5 to 10 degrees cooler at night.  The best approach is to create a temperature gradient, with one end of the cage heated with a heat pad. The temperature range for most cages is 90F on the heated end of the tank, with the cooler end at 75F (24 C and 32C). Avoid heaters that are in articficial rocks since these can harm the lizard.

You can either buy a kit that includes everything needed to get started, or you can create your own.

For detailed instructions read our guide to setting up a lizard terrarium.

Gecko Diet

A Gecko is a insectovore, which means the primary source of protein is insects. All components of the diet can be purchased live in a pet store or even online from Amazon.com. Fresh mealworms, waxmoth larvae, locusts or crickets (black or brown) can be bred by an owner for the sole purpose of providing food. Adults eat 2 to 5 crickets each day. Feed the crickets (gut loaded) before feeding to your lizard. It is best to feed the lizard a variety of insects.

Supplements are also required, since lizards in captivity do not have the same access to food. Both a calcium supplement and vitamin powder will provide the required nutrition. Insects are dusted with the powders prior to placement in the terrarium or the powder can be provided in a dish separate from a shallow water dish.  Misting the aquarium will encourage the lizard to drink in water droplets.  DO NOT mist with cold water in order to avoid shocking the lizard.

Feed these lizards at night since they are nocturnal. Young lizards need to be fed 2 small meals, one in the morning and one at night.

Descriptions of Popular Pet Geckos

Leopard Geckos (Eublepharis macularius)

The leopard lizard is one of the most popular pet reptiles and is different than others in this species since they do not make noice, they have eyelids and they are missing the sunction pads that enable others to climb the walls of any terrarium.. Their small size makes it easy to care for two to three in a 10 gallon or 15 gallon reptile cage (only 1 male) that is 18" to 20" long.  They are a highly recommended place to start for a beginner. The lizards come in many colors  and grow to 7 to 12 inches. They can live as long as 10 to 22 years, so be prepared for a long term commitment. The diet consists of crickets, mealworms and waxworms.  Commercial food is also available.

What makes the Leopard unique from others is that they do not have the lamellae that act as an adhesive to the sides of a glass aquarium. They also have outside eyelids and ears. The leopard does not need an ultraviolet light.

The Leopard is a desert species, so conditions should mimic the desert. The terrarium should be lined with paper towels or reptile carpet when the lizard is a baby or juvenile. Once the lizard becomes an adult, then the substrate can be changed to reptile or calcium sand. There is a small risk of digestive impaction with sand, so if you prefer a reptile carpet or paper towel also makes for a good gecko substrate.  Do not place the terrarium in direct sunlight and away from cold drafty areas. Follow guidelines for terrariums above. Provide a separate hiding space for each lizard.

• Leopard Terrarium Temperature:
• Daytime non-basking area: 80F - 85F
• Daytime basking area: 90F
• Nightime temperature, all areas: 70F
  

These lizards will go to the bathroom in one location in the terrarium, making cleaning easier. The Leopard only makes noise when threatened, letting out a screech. Handle all lizards with care, since dropping one can cause injury.



For more information download this brochure on leopard care from Petco.

Fat-tailed Gecko (African Fat Tailed)

The flat tailed grows to 5 to 8 inches long and will live to 15 or more years.  Like the Leopard the diet consists of various insects. Only buy captive bred lizards since those caught in the wild do not always acclimate well to captivity. Any enclosure should be at least 1 foot x 2 feet. Be careful handling, because if dropped they could be injured. The diet is the same as others of this species.



For more information download this fact sheet on Fat Tailed care.

Crested Geckos (Rhacodactylus Auriculatus)

The Crested  is 5 to 8 inches long and has an average life span of 5 to 10 years. The specie makes an excellent and easy to care for pet. They make great reptile pets and eat a commercial or insect based diet. They need to eat 2 to 3 time a week. There is a high quality MRP (meal replacement powder) that is highly regarded and fulfill all dietary requirements. Two or three Cresteds can be kept in a 10 gallon reptile terrarium.



For more information download this fact sheet on Crested care.

Gargoyle Geckos

The Gargolye can be housed in pairs, although only pair together members of the opposite sex (males will attack other male geckos, females will attack other females).. Note that members of the opposite sex are likley to breed.  The lizards are 5 inches in length plus the tail. Separate babies from adults to avoid cannible behavior. This lizard is native to Grande Terre Island, New Caledonia.

The Gargoyle can be housed in a 10 gallon tank (if two, 20 gallon is preferable).  Note that tthe Gargoyle prefers room temperature and unlike others of this species, does not do well when the temperature exceeds 80F or go below 65F.  Consider a terrarium with enough height for climbing.  They also like to have hiding places in the terrarium.  The Gargoyle is from more temperate areas, so live plants in the gecko terrarium will help to provide climbing and hiding areas as well as boost humidity levels. Fake plants are also acceptable, but there is a preference for live.

The Gargoyle is an omnivore and benefits from a balanced diet.  A commercial option is MRP powder with or without an insect such as crickets. The powder is a popular option, even among professional herptologists since it contains all of the vitamins and food components required to maintain good health.



For more information, download this sheet on Gargoyle care (PDF Download).

Panther Geckos (also called Madagascar, Ground, Ocelot, Pictus, Paroedura picta)

Panther are from a temperate environment and grow to 6 inches in length. They differ from other geckos in their relatively small size and in that most of their time is spent on the ground. They are native to forested areas in Madagasgar.  Like other lizards, they will do well in a 10 gallon terrarium.

Since they come from the forrest, they require a humidity level of 30% to 50%.  Daytime temperatures are 75F to 85F, with the basking area heated to 85F to 90F. Night time temperatures should be 65F to 75F.  A ceramic heat lamp or other source such as a heat mat at one end of the gecko terrarium is required for the basking area.  Lizard Cage substrate options are a mix of calcium sand and peat moss,  coconut fiber, reptile carpet or paper toweling is recommended.

Panthers love to eat and can be fed a different insect each day. Preferred insects are crickets and black soldier fly larvae. A calcium supplement suppled per the manufacturers instructions (usually several times a day) is also recommended.

Tip: Misting the aquarium every day will improve humidity levels and encourage the lizard to drink water.



For more information download this care sheet on the Panther (PDF).

Crocodile Geckos (Tarentola Mauritanica)

The Crocodile Gecko is named for its' crocodile like appearance, which includes a head that is covered with rows of bumps. This lizard will grow to 6 inches long and will live 8 or more years in captivity. They thrive in an aquarium that is a 10 gallon or 20 gallon gecko terrarium. These lizards can climb the aquarium walls and walk upside down.

Required daytime temperature is 70F with a heat mat under 1/2 of the tank at 85F.  Nightime temperatures need to be 60F to 70F. The Crocodile diet consists of insects such as mealworms, crickets and waxworms.  Babies and juveniles should be fed gut loaded small crickets (crickets that are fed prior to feeding to the lizard). Humidity levels need to be at 60%.


Download this guide to Crocodile care (PDF).

White Lined Geckos

The white lined gecko is named for the white line that runs down the lizards back. It is one of the larger geckos, growing to 8: to 10" in length. The lizard comes from forrested areas and can climb the walls of any terrarium. The white-lined gecko diet consits of insects such as crickets plus a vitamin and mineral supplement.  They thrive in a 10 gallon or 20 gallon tank. 

Required daytime temperatures are 80F to 86F. The heated basking area should be at 85F to 90F.  Night time temperatures are 70F to 75F. High humidity levels of 70% to 80% are also required. One way to keep humidity levels high is to mist the aquarium every day. Live plants will also help to maintain humidity.  A shallow water dish and water droplets on plants that can be licked will make sure that the lizard drinks enough water.

Golden Geckos (Gekko ulikovskii)

The Golden Gecko is from rain forests in Vietnam. Females grow to 5" to 6", while males can grow as large as 7". The Golden becomes stressed when handled. The lizard should be kept in a 10 gallon gecko terrarium with decor typical to a tropical setting including climbing limbs. The Golden eats a diet of crickets, waxworms, super worms and mealworms.  Uneaten live crickets should not remain in the cage since they are known to bite Goldens.

Daytime temperatures are 78F to 85F.  A heat mat is only needed to maintain the suggested temperature gradient. UVB lights are also not needed. Select a lizard cage substrate that helps to retain moisture and humidity such as Eco Earth.