The Complete Guide to Leopard Gecko Water Needs

As a leopard gecko owner providing your pet with proper hydration is essential to their health and wellbeing. Leopard geckos have specific water requirements that need to be met in order to thrive. In this complete guide we will cover everything you need to know about leopard gecko water needs and how to best provide water for your reptile friend.

Do Leopard Geckos Need Water?

Yes absolutely! Leopard geckos need access to clean drinking water in their habitat. While leopard geckos get most of their hydration from their diet of insects, they still require a water dish to drink from.

In the wild leopard geckos get moisture not only from eating prey but also from occasional rainfall and morning dew. As pets, a water dish provides the additional hydration they need.

Without sufficient water intake, leopard geckos can become dehydrated. Dehydration can lead to serious health issues like impaction, neurological problems, and even death.

Providing fresh, clean drinking water at all times is a must for keeping leopard geckos healthy and thriving.

Best Ways to Provide Water

There are two main methods for providing drinking water for leopard geckos:

Water Dish – A shallow, sturdy bowl placed inside the habitat. This allows geckos to drink whenever they are thirsty.

Misting – Using a spray bottle to mist the habitat once or twice per day. The water droplets provide moisture for drinking.

Many leopard gecko owners find that providing both a water dish and misting is the best way to cover all bases. The water dish gives geckos constant access to water, while misting increases moisture in the habitat.

Choosing a Water Dish

When selecting a water dish, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Size – The dish should be appropriately sized for your leopard gecko. Too large of a bowl can increase humidity levels too much.

• Depth – Shallow water dishes prevent drowning. The water should be no deeper than the length of your gecko’s front leg.

• Material – Ceramic, glass and stainless steel work well. Avoid plastic which can harbor bacteria.

Look for small, sturdy ceramic bowls, or reptile-specific water dishes designed for small lizards like leopard geckos.

Where to Place the Water Dish

Where you place the water dish depends on the humidity levels in the habitat. Leopard geckos need a humidity level around 40-50%. The water dish can increase humidity.

• Place dish on cool side if humidity is ideal

• Place dish on warm side if struggling with low humidity

Using a digital hygrometer helps monitor humidity levels and determine the best spot for the water dish.

Providing Clean Water

Unsanitary water can cause health issues in leopard geckos if they ingest bacteria or other contaminants. Here are some tips for keeping your gecko’s water clean:

• Wash water dish thoroughly before refilling

• Change water daily

• Avoid plastic dishes which can harbor bacteria

• Use bottled spring or purified water, or treat tap water with reptile water conditioner

• Scoop out gecko waste if your pet soils the water

• Don’t use distilled water long-term due to lack of minerals

With proper sanitation methods, you can ensure your leopard gecko stays well-hydrated with fresh clean water.

Hydration Through Habitat Misting

In addition to the water dish, misting the habitat provides supplemental hydration for leopard geckos. The water droplets left after misting allow geckos to lick and lap up water, similar to how they drink in the wild.

Aim for misting 1-2 times per day for juveniles under 3 months old. For adults, mist every other day or as needed if humidity is low.

Use a digital hygrometer to monitor humidity levels. Misting helps raise humidity while providing drinking water.

Signs of Dehydration in Leopard Geckos

It’s important to watch for signs of dehydration in leopard geckos which can occur if water intake is insufficient. Symptoms include:

• Lethargy, weakness
• Sunken eyes
• Wrinkled skin
• Constipation
• Stuck shed

Dehydration can quickly become life-threatening for leopard geckos. Providing ample clean drinking water and misting helps prevent dehydration in pet geckos.

Leopard Geckos Soaking in Water Dish

You may notice your leopard gecko sitting in its water dish, fully or partially submerged. This instinctive soaking behavior serves several purposes:

Hydration – Soaking in the water helps leopard geckos absorb moisture through their vent and cloaca. This supplements their hydration.

Shed aid – The water softens the skin and helps loosen stuck shed during shedding cycles.

Cooling down – Sitting in water can help lower a gecko’s body temperature if they are overheated.

Constipation relief – The hydration and moisture from soaking can help them pass stuck stool or urates.

Allow your leopard gecko to soak as needed. Just be sure to wash and refill the dish with clean water afterwards.

Providing Proper Leopard Gecko Hydration

Giving leopard geckos ample access to drinking water is crucial for their health. Follow these tips:

• Provide clean water dish on warm side of habitat
• Mist 1-2 times daily for hydration and humidity
• Use purified bottled or conditioned water
• Wash water bowl daily, change water frequently
• Monitor for signs of dehydration like lethargy or wrinkled skin

Meeting your leopard gecko’s hydration needs will help ensure your reptile stays happy and healthy. Proper access to clean water is one of the most important things you can provide as a responsible leopard gecko owner.