Geckos as Pets

Every type of gecko has individual needs for their general care. This page will give you a rough idea of the needs of some types of geckos. Before getting your own pet gecko, it is highly encouraged that you do some more thorough research.

Leopard Gecko Care

Diet: Eat a variety of live crickets, waxworms, and meal worms (in moderation), need to be gut loaded before being fed to your gecko
Housing: 10-20 gallon tank for 1 or 2 leopard geckos, at least 1 ft tall. Provide multiple hiding areas with non-toxic plants, branches, logs, and cork
Habitat Maintenance: Thorough cleaning and disinfecting at least once a week
Normal Behavior: Nocturnal, eat their skin when shedding, keep handling to a minimum as overhandling can cause them stress, never grab by the tail as they may drop their tail

Crested Gecko Care

Diet: Commercial crested gecko food is an easy, balanced, and nutritious diet. Can be supplemented with gut-loaded crickets, roaches, waxworms, etc to exercise its hunting instincts. Fruit can also be fed several times a week
Housing: Minimum 20 gallon tank for an adult but larger is better, height is more desirable than width because they need space for vertical climbing. Provide multiple branches for climbing and shelter for hiding, live non-toxic plants recommended
Habitat Maintenance: Thorough cleaning and disinfecting at least once a week
Normal Behavior: Nocturnal, exceptional leapers, will tolerate gentle handling, lick their eyeballs to moisten them

African Fat-Tailed Gecko Care

Diet: Gut loaded crickets and/or mealworms, occassionally supplemented by silkworms or waxworms
Housing: 10 gallon aquarium can house a pair. Provide thick branches for climbing and a hiding area elevated off the habitat floor
Habitat Maintenance: Thorough cleaning and disinfecting at least once a week
Normal Behavior: Nocturnal, can be shy but also can be open to being handled with regular contact