Leopard geckos are very popular pet reptiles for both kids and adults. Theyre small, quiet, colorful, and easy to handle but like other reptiles, they do require appropriate habitats in order to thrive. By providing your leopard gecko with an appropriately sized enclosure, the correct substrate, lighting, and accessories, youll not only give your gecko what it needs, but also what it wants.
As leopard gecko owners we want to provide the ideal habitat for our pets. A proper enclosure is crucial for keeping geckos healthy and happy. In this guide I’ll share everything you need to know to create the perfect home for your leopard gecko.
Leopard Gecko Enclosure Size
The first factor to consider is the size of the enclosure. Leopard geckos are ground dwellers, so they need ample floor space to move around The minimum size for one adult leopard gecko is a 20-gallon tank Bigger is usually better, as long as you can maintain the proper heating and humidity. Focus on the length and width rather than height.
For babies or juveniles, a 10 to 15-gallon tank is sufficient. You can upgrade to a larger enclosure as they grow. Some popular sizes are:
- 10-gallon
- 20-gallon
- 29-gallon
- 40-gallon breeder
I recommend a 40-gallon as the ideal size for an adult. This gives them plenty of room to roam around and engage in natural behaviors like digging.
Enclosure Materials
There are several options when it comes to the tank itself:
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Glass – The most common choice. Provides great visibility and is easy to clean. The only downside is it can be heavy.
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Plastic – Lighter than glass but scratches easily. Often only the front is see-through.
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Wood – Very affordable but retains moisture and odors. Requires sealing and waterproofing.
My recommendation is a front-opening glass tank. The clarity is unbeatable for viewing your gecko. Just be sure to cover the sides and back to prevent stress.
Substrate
Choosing the right substrate is crucial. Avoid loose particles like sand or calcium carbonate, as they can cause impaction if ingested. Good options include:
- Reptile carpet
- Paper towels
- Excavator clay
- Textured ceramic or slate tiles
- Bioactive substrates like terra sahara
I prefer a naturalistic mix of clay and slate tiles. This allows for digging while minimizing impaction risk.
Decor and Accessories
Leopard geckos love clutter! Be sure to include:
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3 hides – One warm, one cool, one moist. This gives them options for thermoregulation.
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Plants – Fake foliage adds aesthetic appeal. Live plants can work if properly maintained.
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Branches, cork, and rocks – Provides enrichment and climbing opportunities.
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Water and food dishes – Use heavy, low profile bowls.
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Calcium dish – Offers free access to this essential supplement.
Arrange the accessories to create a stimulating environment. Reference their native habitat for inspiration.
Heating and Lighting
Proper heating and lighting is essential for your leopard gecko to thrive. Here’s what you need:
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Basking bulb or ceramic heat emitter – Creates a hot spot of around 90-95°F.
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Under tank heater – Helps maintain ambient temperatures of 75-85°F.
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Thermometers – Crucial for monitoring temperatures. Have one probe on each end.
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Thermostat – Helps regulate temperatures by turning heating devices on/off.
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UVB light – Provides beneficial rays for vitamin D3 synthesis. Use linear fluorescent or mercury vapor bulbs.
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Daytime bulb – Mimics natural light/dark cycles. Use halogen or compact fluorescent.
With the proper heating setup, your leo can easily self-regulate its body temperature.
Enclosure Maintenance
To keep your gecko healthy, perform weekly spot cleans and monthly deep cleans. Use a mild reptile-safe disinfectant and rinse thoroughly. Replace substrates and decor as needed. Proper cleaning is key for odor and bacteria control.
Leopard Gecko Enclosures
While some leopard gecko owners have beautiful, custom-made, open-top enclosures, if you have children or other pets in your household, it is safer to have a terrarium with a screen lid. Leopard geckos cannot climb walls but a lid will them from curious cats, dogs, or birds as well as children who may accidentally hurt them.
A plastic or glass aquarium is commonly used for housing reptiles and is what is recommended for leopard geckos. For one leopard gecko, a minimum of a 10 gallon tank is usually sufficient, especially when it is young, but a 20-gallon long tank is more ideal. If you opt for the preferred 20 gallon tank over the 10-gallon tank, be sure to get the long version and not the high or tall varieties. Leopard geckos need more ground space than height in their enclosures and the long version offers just that. A fitted screened lid placed on top will allow good airflow while still protecting your pet. If you decide to house multiple geckos, a larger tank will be necessary.
To make your leopard gecko habitat as natural as possible, large rocks, gravel, and bioactive soil designed for reptiles should be used as substrate. If you prefer to have a less natural but easier to clean substrate, you can use sheets of paper, recycled paper bedding designed for hamsters, or reptile carpet instead. Sand is not recommended since it can be easily consumed and cause an impaction, especially for young and small leopard geckos.
Leopard Geckos in the Wild
Leopard geckos are native to Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Iran, and Nepal. Here, they live in dry deserts and grassland areas made up of rocky terrain and sandy soil. They can be found in rock crevices or if it gets too cold, underground in a burrow where they can enter semi-hibernation. Despite popular belief, leopard geckos dont enjoy extremely hot temperatures and sand but will instead hang out in the shade during the day. They are also more often found in desert areas with a clay or gravel mix in the soil rather than strictly sand. To create the best habitat for a leopard gecko, youll want to try and mimic these attributes as closely as possible.
Beginner’s Guide To Leopard Gecko Supplies | Tank, Heater, Light, Substrate & More
FAQ
How big of an enclosure do leopard geckos need?
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Minimum:A 20-gallon long tank (36″ x 18″ x 18″) is the absolute minimum for a single adult leopard gecko.
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Ideal:A larger enclosure, such as a 40-gallon breeder tank (36″ x 16″ x 18″), is preferable, as it provides more space for roaming and enrichment.
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Juveniles:Start with a 10-gallon tank for juvenile leopard geckos, but upgrade to a larger size as they grow.
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Multiple Geckos:If housing multiple leopard geckos, you’ll need an even larger enclosure to accommodate them, with a larger floor space being more important than height.
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Enclosure Shape:Opt for a longer and more shallow tank that provides ample floor space, rather than a tall, narrow one.
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Ventilation:Ensure the enclosure has a screened lid to allow for proper ventilation and prevent escape.
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Substrate:Provide a substrate that allows for burrowing, such as soil or a mix of soil and reptisand, but avoid pure sand as it can cause impaction.
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Climbing Materials:While leopard geckos are ground-dwelling, they can enjoy climbing if appropriate materials are provided.
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Temperature Gradient:Ensure the enclosure has a temperature gradient, with a warmer end for basking and a cooler end for resting.
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Hides:Provide plenty of hides for your leopard gecko to feel secure and comfortable.
What is the best enclosure for a leopard gecko?
A glass tank is preferable, as it offers better insulation and durability than plastic or wood. The ideal tank size for a single adult leopard gecko is at least 30 gallons, although larger enclosures are recommended for more enrichment and movement.
Is it better to have 1 or 2 leopard geckos?
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Natural Behavior:Leopard geckos are solitary creatures in the wild and don’t typically live in groups.
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Territoriality:Even if you have two females, they can become territorial and aggressive, leading to fights or bullying.
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Stress and Aggression:Housing multiple geckos together can cause stress and aggression, especially if resources are limited or they have different needs.
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Disease Risk:Multiple geckos in the same enclosure increase the risk of disease and parasite spread.
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Difficulty in Providing for Individual Needs:Each gecko has different needs and requirements, and it can be difficult to ensure that all needs are met when multiple geckos are housed together.
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Potential for Injury:Fighting and bullying can lead to injuries, including tail biting or even death.
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Exceptions:While cohabitation is generally not recommended, some keepers have successfully kept females together, but it’s still risky, and it’s best to err on the side of caution.
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Always supervise introductions:If you choose to cohabitate, always supervise the introduction and separation of geckos to ensure that they are not fighting.
What do leopard geckos need in their tank?
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A secure, appropriately sized tank (at least 2ft long) is crucial.
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Choose a safe, non-abrasive substrate like reptile carpet, paper towels, or tiles. Avoid loose substrates like sand, which can cause impaction.
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Leopard geckos need multiple hiding places, including a warm hide, a cool hide, and a moist hide (a container with moist sphagnum moss or paper towels).
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An under-tank heater (with a thermostat) is essential to provide a warm side of the tank, and a heat mat is recommended to cover 30% of the enclosure.
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A shallow, easily accessible water dish is necessary for hydration.
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A small dish with calcium powder (with and without vitamin D3) is needed for optimal health.
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These tools help monitor the temperature and humidity levels in the tank, ensuring they are within the optimal range.
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Consider adding small sticks, logs, or climbing structures for enrichment, but ensure they are safe and free from dirt or parasites.
What is the best enclosure for leopard geckos?
Features The PVC Panel Reptile Enclosure by Zen Habitats is the perfect enclosure for leopard geckos and many other reptiles that requires a high humidity environment. This enclosure measures 4’x2’x2’, which is three times larger than a 40-gallon breeder tank.
How do I design a leopard gecko enclosure?
Designing the ideal leopard gecko enclosure is a fun and rewarding experience. With the right tank size, substrate, heating, lighting, and decor, you can create a habitat that your gecko will love and thrive in. Always remember to maintain and monitor the enclosure, offer enrichment opportunities, and watch for any potential issues.
Should leopard geckos be housed?
Leopard geckos are one of the most popular pet reptiles because they are relatively small and docile. Because of their size, they require small enclosures, but that doesn’t mean that they can be neglected when it comes to proper husbandry. There are many different opinions about how a leopard gecko should be housed.
How much space does a leopard gecko need?
If you have multiple geckos, add an extra 2 square feet (0.19 m 2) of floor space per additional gecko to make sure they all have enough room. A single young leopard gecko will do fine in a 10 US gal (38 L) enclosure. But you’ll want to upgrade them to a larger one when they mature. X Research source Cover the enclosure with a screened lid.
Can leopard geckos live in a tank?
It is crucial to find an enclosure large enough to accommodate the lizard yet small enough to prevent overwhelming them. Since leopard geckos are relatively small reptiles, it is possible to house one in a relatively small tank.
What makes a good leopard gecko setup?
A great leopard gecko setup starts with a great enclosure. Mimic nature by creating various zones & heat gradients in our spacious enclosures. Customizable options to create your reptile’s perfect habitat. Stackable & expandable to grow with you & your pets. Great for tropical. Great for desert. Perfect for your leopard gecko.