Content
- Is leopard gecko legalized in Brazil?
- leopard gecko habitat
- Leopard gecko terrarium
- Lighting
- Moisture
- leopard gecko diet
- Leopard Gecko Types
- leopard gecko diseases
The leopard gecko, also known as the leopard gecko is one of the most common pet reptiles. These animals are highly appreciated mainly due to their different colors and genetic combinations, from yellows, oranges, different shapes of spots, etc.
Having one of these animals requires specific care, as well as time and patience. These animals can live up to 20 years, so, as well as acquiring any type of animal, it is necessary to assume a great responsibility and be prepared to have all kinds of conditions necessary for the animal to live without health problems and in an environment that promotes both your physical and psychological well-being.
Have you decided that you are going to adopt one of these animals or have you just adopted one? The Animal Expert wrote this article with all the necessary information about how to care for a leopard gecko.
Is leopard gecko legalized in Brazil?
O Eublepahris macularius (his scientific name) is a lizard originally from the Middle East. In Brazil, the sale of exotic animals is completely prohibited, for this reason There is currently no legal way to buy or breed a leopard gecko..
However, a few years ago, the trade of these animals was allowed in Brazil and some people still have these animals with invoices. In any case, captive breeding is completely prohibited. So, if you are a resident of Brazil and are thinking of acquiring one of these animals, PeritoAnimal advises against this choice because we are against anything that encourages the illegal trade and trafficking of exotic species. If you would like to acquire a reptile, consider adopting animals that can be legally sold, such as the iguana, for example!
leopard gecko habitat
As we have already mentioned, the leopard gecko is originally from the Middle East and can be found in countries such as India and Pakistan. Despite being found in the desert, this does not mean that the best choice of substrate is sand.
The ideal substrate should be inexpensive, easy to clean, absorbent, and digestible if ingested by the gecko. Some substrate examples are newspapers, kitchen paper sheets, mats suitable for reptiles and cork. Do not use shavings, corn, cat litter, or anything that contains pesticides or fertilizers. The main danger of using sand or other substrates of small particles is the risk of being ingested, accumulating in the intestines and causing serious obstructions.
To offer your gecko conditions that are closer to its natural habitat, choose to use rocks and logs, so he can fuck. Furthermore, it is extremely important that he has a place to hide. You can use simple cardboard boxes or cardboard rolls. Ideally it should offer more than one hiding place for him.
The use of appropriate plants in the terrarium is also indicated as they provide moisture, shade and security for your gecko. In addition to giving a really cool look to your terrarium! You just have to make sure that you choose proper plants and that they are not toxic if he eats them.
Leopard gecko terrarium
The leopard gecko terrarium must be large to be able to place all the trunks and hiding places we have already mentioned. These animals can be housed alone or in groups. However, there should never be more than one male in the terrarium, to avoid aggression and fight between them. To house two geckos you must have a terrarium with a minimum capacity of 40L, about 90x40x30 cm.
These animals are able to climb even on smooth surfaces, as we have already mentioned, so it is essential that the terrarium is covered to prevent possible escapes.
Lighting
Since this animal has nocturnal habits, it is not essential to use ultraviolet light. However, a form of heating the terrarium is essential, which can be achieved through heating plate or lamp. You should have two thermometers at opposite ends of the terrarium in order to control the temperatures that should be between 21ºC at the coldest end and between 29 and 31ºC at the warmest end.
Regarding the lighting period, this should not exceed 12 hours a day.
One important thing you should know about geckos is the fact that, in the wild, they have a period of lesser activity in winter, called a haze. To simulate this period in captivity, you will need to reduce it to 10 hours of daily lighting and temperatures a maximum of 24 to 27ºC, for two or three months.
Moisture
It is important to maintain a moist environment in the terrarium, especially to facilitate the change of skin, characteristic of these reptiles. You can use a water spray to keep the environment relatively humid. About 70% humidity it will be enough to keep your gecko comfortable.
leopard gecko diet
The leopard geckos feed exclusively on insects. The basic diet of these animals may be composed of crickets, larvae or even cockroaches. You should feed the prey with a high quality diet, this way you will increase your gecko's nutritional support.
Younger geckos should be fed every 24 or 48 hours. However, adult individuals should only eat 2 or 3 times a week.
Your gecko should always have clean, fresh water available, which should be changed daily.
Leopard Gecko Types
In terms of size, there are only two types of leopard geckos. The common gecko, which is between 20 and 25 cm approximately, the giant gecko, called the Giant Leopard gecko, which can be considerably larger than the previous ones.
In nature, there are over 1500 species of geckos known, belonging to 7 different families, including the famous leopard gecko.
These are some of the common leopard geckos that can be found in captivity:
- Bell Albino Leopard Gecko
- RainWater Albino Leopard Gecko
- Albino Leopard Gecko Tremper
- Bold Striped Leopard Gecko
- Raining Red Stripe Leopard Gecko
- Albino Leopard Gecko Tremper
- Bold Striped Leopard Gecko
- Red Striped Leopard Gecko
- Reverse Striped White and Yellow Sykes Emerine
- Leopard Gecko Aptor
- Bandit Leopard Gecko
- Blizzard Leopard Gecko
- Diablo Blanco Leopard Gecko
- High Yellow Leopard Gecko
- Mack Snow
- Murphy Patternless Leopard Gecko
- New Leopard Gecko
- Leopard Gecko Radar
- Super Hypo Tangerine Carrot Tail Leopard Gecko
- Leopard Gecko Raptor
There are also different standards within the Giant Leopar Geckos:
- Godzilla Super Giant Leopard Gecko
- Super Giant Leopard Gecko
- Dreamsicle Leopard Gecko
- Halloween Leopard Gecko
leopard gecko diseases
There are no vaccines for geckos but most veterinarians specializing in exotic animals advise you to annual deworming against internal parasites. It is best to do a stool test to detect which parasites are present in your animal and choose a suitable antiparasitic.
To ensure that your gecko is doing well, it is essential to look for a veterinarian specialist in exotic animals, that can accompany your gecko from the beginning. Annual veterinarian check-ups, as with all animal species, are the key to preventing any illness through your veterinarian's tips and practice of preventive medicine. Furthermore, what may sometimes go unnoticed by your eyes, will not pass by the veterinarian's eye. The sooner a problem is detected, the faster we can start treatment and the better the prognosis.
Unfortunately, most geckos when they visit the veterinarian are already in an advanced clinical state!
Geckos can suffer from diseases of any kind, like any other reptile. From parasitic, infectious, reproductive, intestinal, etc. diseases. That's why it's so important that he has regular medical follow-up.
The best way to prevent all sorts of problems is to provide a proper diet and conditions as mentioned. In addition, you must be aware of any behavioral changes in your pet, which may indicate that something is wrong. If your gecko is moving more slowly, eating substrate and dragging its belly, it could indicate that it is suffering from lack of calcium, a very common problem in these animals. The veterinarian may need to prescribe supplementation.
Another very common problem with geckos is the gastroenteritis specific to these animals, which has no cure and is highly contagious and the prolapse that you can detect if you see any viscera coming out of the animal's anus. These are two problems that need immediate veterinary attention due to their seriousness and that can lead to the animal's death.
