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Leopard Gecko Care Guide - Reptiles By Post
April 23, 2026

Leopard Gecko Care Guide

Overview


• Scientific Name: Eublepharis macularius 
• Origin: Middle East 
• Ease of Care: Beginner 
• Adult Size: 7 to 9.5 inches 
• Life Span: 15 years+ 
• Behaviour: Crepuscular and Nocturnal
• Diet: Insects 
• Handling: Beginner

Housing

The Leopard Gecko's enclosure should be:

  • Minimum 90x45x45cm. But 120x45x45 is even better
  • Front opening doors
  • Wooden
  • Recommended: ProRep Vivarium


Substrate

We recommend the ProRep Leo Life Substrate  Spread substrate evenly across vivarium base ensuring a depth of 2-3inch (5-7.5cm). 


A Sphagnum Moss hide is also essential.

 

Heating and Lighting

Leopard Geckos require a heating and lighting gradient to replicate a 24-hour day/ night cycle. 
Check temperatures regularly, using a reliable dual thermometer and hygrometer to ensure that there are no extreme fluctuations.

Your readings should be:

Hot Spot: 30° 
Background: 20°-24°
Night-Time Temp: 18°-23°
Humidity: 20-40%
UVI: 1-2

To attain these readings, this is the equipment you should use:

  • 80W Deep Heat Projector
  • Dimming thermostat 600w with day/ night timer
  • Ceramic lamp holder with bracket

Ensure that the heating probe is placed correctly under the heat bulb to ensure accurate readings, and to avoid overheating. 

A UVB system should be on for 12 hours per day to replicate a day/ night cycle and to provide essential UVB.
Fit the Arcadia Pro T5 ShadeDweller UVB Kit to the inside roof of the vivarium

Decoration

Decoration is down to personal choice, but it is necessary that there is a hide on the warm side, and the cool side and a humid sphagnum moss hide in the middle. 

We would also recommend including a large branch to climb up, and foliage to hide in.

 

Diet and Water 

Make sure the Gecko always has access to a fresh water bowl. 

Ensure the Leopard Gecko has a varied diet, with a mixture of insects that are dusted with an appropriate supplement.

Young/Juvenile - 8-12 appropriately sized feeders every other day such as:


• Crickets – Medium small
• Locust – Small
• Calci Worms - Small


Adult - 5-10 appropriately sized feeders 2-3 times per week such as:


• Crickets – Large
• Locust – Medium or Large
• Dubia Roaches – Medium

A dish of Calcium powder should also be available to the Gecko at all times. 

 

Cleaning 

Daily: 

  • Replace old water with fresh water 
  • Spot clean using a sand scoop

Weekly 

  • Disinfect water bowl
  • Agitate substrate to prevent any bacterial build up 
  • Remove any dirty bedding 
  • Clean glass and walls with reptile safe disinfectant

Monthly:

  • Replace substrate 
  • Wipe decor with reptile safe disinfectant 

 

Always wash your hands before and after handling your Leopard Gecko.

 

Handling

While this species is generally placid and will tolerate gentle handling, this can at times be very stressful for the animal, so any handling should only be done in short periods.

 

Health

✅Healthy Leopard Gecko:

  • Thick, plump tail which is roughly the same width as the Gecko's neck.
  • Bright, clear eyes.
  • Eats regularly.
  • Droppings are solid and well formed. 
  • Active at night. 

⚠️Unhealthy Leopard Gecko:

  • Thin, shrinking, or “pencil-like” tail → often a sign of illness or malnutrition
  • Sunken eyes, with discharge, crust or swelling. 
  • Stuck shed (especially on toes)
  • Refusing food for extended periods. 
  • Weakness, trembling, or dragging legs.
  • Lethargy (barely moving even at night)

Common Health Issues:

  • Impaction – from incorrect substrate or improper diet
  • Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) – caused by lack of calcium/UVB
  • Parasites – often cause weight loss and diarrhoea
  • Dehydration – leads to wrinkled skin and stuck shed

 

🚫Things to avoid 🚫

  • Avoid reptile carpets. They harbour bacteria, and can cause the Gecko's nails and teeth to get stuck.
  • Avoid blue, red or white lights. Especially at night. The Deep Heat Projector emits no light so this is perfect
  • Don't feed Waxworms too regularly. They should only be used as an occasional treat as they contain high fat content. 
  • Never keep Leopard Geckos together. 
  • Avoid heat mats - overhead heating only. 
  • Don't feed insects too big for the Gecko (space between the eyes is a good rule of thumb)

 

Filed in: Care Guide, Leopard Gecko
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