You can also buy a tank with a sliding door at the front instead of a screen lid. This tank would make it easier to tame your gecko. A 20 gallon (75. 7 L) tank will hold one leopard gecko. It is best to house geckos separately as these reptiles get extremely stressed and fight if housed together. Even females who are similar in size cannot live together and may fight even if raised together. Even a breeding pair should be separated after mating. [2] X Research source
If using stone or another heavy substrate, consider putting a couple layers of paper towel or a handful of dry Eco Earth between the floor and the stone to reduce the chance of breakage and chipping. Sand is another option, but make sure it is not in reach of the gecko. Never use cedar wood chips or other resinous wood, since these may be toxic to leopard geckos. They also have been known to pierce the gecko’s gullet.
If you do use a heating pad/mat, make sure your gecko isn’t able to touch it or it could suffer from burns.
Place two shelters on the warm side of the tank, and keep one lined with moist paper towels, Eco earth, or sphagnum moss underneath it. This is called the “humid hide,” and the floor will need to be moistened regularly to allow the gecko to shed easily. (Keeping this on the cold side is not recommended due to the risk of respiratory infection. )[8] X Research source ) Place a third shelter on the cooler side of the tank, and keep it dry.
If you own a gecko that looks sick, do not allow it to breed. It may produce unhealthy offspring.
If using crickets, put egg cartons in the container. To make safe and appealing food, the insects should be slightly smaller than the space between the gecko’s eyes. If keeping mealworms short-term, store them in the refrigerator. If you are breeding them, keep them at room temperature so some of them morph into beetles.
Typically, you would use calcium powder every other feeding and multivitamins every three feedings. This can vary based on your gecko’s age and diet, so you may want to ask an expert for advice.
If your gecko is a slow eater, or appears obese, check the section on health problems for advice.
If you are using tiles or a similar, non-disposable substrate, just remove them from the tank temporarily and clean the floor beneath then when you notice a smell.
If the tail does detach, dispose of it, and clean the tank daily to prevent infection at the tail stub until it heals and starts to grow a new tail. Do not smoke in the same room as your gecko, and especially not while holding it.
If the skin gets caught around the toes, gently rub it off with a damp Q-tip. Your gecko probably won’t like this, but if left on, the gecko could lose a toe. If the old skin clings to other areas of the gecko, it’s generally best to leave it on unless it’s near the eyes, as this could cause eye problems. Your gecko may shed in patches as opposed to shedding all of its skin at once.
Leopard geckos under a month old may “scream” when misted, but this is not a sign of harm. [21] X Research source
