Profile
Native to the arid regions of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and northern India, the leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) stands out from other geckos with its movable eyelids and lack of adhesive toe pads — unlike most of its relatives, it can't climb smooth surfaces. Nocturnal, it stays hidden and discreet during the day.
Feeding
- Base: live insects (crickets, mealworms, dubia roaches), dusted with calcium at every feeding
- Vitamin D3 supplementation — low-level UVB exposure is now recommended even for this nocturnal species
- No plant matter: a strict insectivore
Care
- A 40-60cm terrarium is enough for one adult, with a warm side (29-32°C) via an under-tank heat mat and a cooler side
- Safe substrate is essential (paper towel or tile) — never loose sand for juveniles, risk of impaction
- A humid hide should be provided to help with shedding
Daily life
Docile and easy to handle once settled in, the leopard gecko can drop its tail under significant stress (autotomy) — it regrows, but duller. With no special permit or regulation required, it's still a long commitment: 15 to 20 years for an animal that fits in one hand.