🦎Leopard gecko: gear and buying guides

The leopard gecko is a nocturnal, calm lizard that tolerates gentle handling well, making it one of the most beginner-friendly reptiles. Equipment needs stay reasonable: an 80 to 90 cm terrarium, a warm spot around 30 to 32 °C, low-intensity UVB and, above all, a humid hide that is essential for shedding.

Profile : Around 20 to 28 cm as an adult, 15 to 20 years of lifespan, beginner level.

Species profile

Lifespan

15 to 20 years

Adult size

20 to 28 cm

Basking spot

30 to 32 °C

Humidity

30 to 40 %

Minimum enclosure

90 × 45 × 45 cm

Temperament

Placid and tolerant of gentle handling — the definitive beginner lizard.

Health watch

metabolic bone disease (calcium deficiency or insufficient UVB) · retained shed on the toes, made worse by the lack of a humid hide

🩺 The health watchpoints on this page are for information only: only a veterinarian can examine your animal and make a diagnosis.

Leopard gecko gear, family by family

• 🍖 Food

  Strictly insectivorous: crickets, dubia roaches and worms, rotated for variety and always dusted with calcium plus occasional D3 vitamins. Mealworms should stay a treat, not a staple.

• 🧴 Care & grooming

  Shedding is the main concern: a humid hide lined with sphagnum moss prevents stuck skin on the toes. Spot-clean droppings regularly and monitor the tail, a fat reserve that reflects overall health.

• 🎾 Toys & enrichment

  No toys as such, but a rich layout works: several hides, flat rocks, low branches and live prey released in the enclosure to trigger nighttime hunting behaviour.

• 🏠 Bedding & habitat

  A horizontal terrarium of at least 80 to 90 cm for an adult, a 30-32 °C warm spot and a cool zone around 24 °C, with at least three hides (warm, cool, humid). Low-output UVB (2 to 5%) is increasingly recommended.

• 🧳 Travel & safety

  Transport in a ventilated rigid faunarium padded with paper towel and kept away from cold: the species is sensitive to temperature shocks. Never grab a leopard gecko by the tail, as it can drop off.

• 🧰 Accessories

  Plan a heat mat or lamp on a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, water and calcium dishes, feeding tongs and a shedding box. A complete starter setup often costs between 200 and 400 €.

Guides to read

• Vertical terrarium for a crested gecko: height, ventilation and humidityBedding & habitat

  Vertical terrarium for a crested gecko: why height matters more than floor space, what size fits each age, and how to manage the humidity cycle.

• Feeding a crested gecko: CGD powder, fruit and occasional insectsFood

  Feeding a crested gecko: why complete CGD powder remains the base diet, when to add insects, and how often to feed by age.

• Tail loss in crested geckos: why you should never grab one by the tailCare & grooming

  Tail loss (autotomy) in crested geckos: why the tail never grows back in this species, what handling mistakes to avoid, and what to do if it drops.

• Terrarium enrichment for a crested gecko: branches, hides and climbing supportsToys & enrichment

  Terrarium enrichment for a crested gecko: why climbing supports matter as much as décor, what hides to provide, and whether to rotate the layout.

• Transporting a Green Iguana to the Vet: Carrier, Heat and StressTravel & safety

  Rigid carrier, keeping the animal warm on the road, and grips to avoid with the tail: how to transport a green iguana to the vet without adding to its stress.

• Humidity and Shedding in the Chinese Water Dragon: Avoiding Skin ProblemsCare & grooming

  Why the Chinese water dragon needs high humidity, how to maintain it without stagnation, and the early signs of an incomplete shed.

• Feeding a Green Anole: Which Insects, and How Often?Food

  Small live insects, prey size and feeding frequency: the complete guide to feeding a green anole, a strict insectivore and a tiny lizard.

• Handling and Transporting a Pacman Frog: Limiting Stress and ContactTravel & safety

  Why the Pacman frog's permeable skin means handling should stay minimal, and how to transport it safely for a vet visit.