Leopard Gecko Care Sheet
Eublepharis macularius
Leopard geckos are a beginner-friendly lizard [1] that grow to about 6 to 9 inches [1] and can live 10 to 20 years with proper care [1]. Here is the setup, temperatures, humidity and feeding routine, with every number sourced.
Download the printable care sheet (PDF)Leopard Gecko Quick Facts
- Scientific name
- Eublepharis macularius [1]
- Experience level
- Beginner [1]
- Adult size
- 6 to 9 inches [1]; 5 to 10 inches [2]
- Lifespan
- Up to 10 to 20 years [1]; 10 to 15 years [2]
- Adulthood
- Within 1 to 2 years [1]
- Enclosure
- Juvenile 10 gal+, adult 20 gal+, screened lid [1]; at least 6 in. high [2]
- Temperature
- Air gradient 77 to 86°F; warm spot about 9°F warmer [8]
- Night
- About 9°F cooler [8]; tolerates down to 70°F [2]
- Humidity
- 20 to 30%, higher during shedding; moist hide [8][1]
- UVB
- Not required, but recommended [8][2]; 10 to 12 hours a day [1]; replace every 9 to 12 months [8]
- Diet
- Insectivore: live, gut-loaded, dusted insects [1]
- Vet check
- Once a year [1]
Leopard Gecko Enclosure and Setup
A juvenile needs at least a 10-gallon tank and one adult needs 20 gallons or larger, with a screened lid [1]. VCA adds that the cage should be at least 6 inches high [2].
- Three hides: one on the warm side, one on the cool side and a moist hide with damp sphagnum moss for shedding [1][2].
- A shallow water dish and a shallow food dish so insects can't burrow into the substrate.
- Substrate: paper towel, tile or reptile carpet are easy for beginners. If you use loose substrate such as sand, feed in a dish [1]. VCA warns against coarse sand, corncob and crushed walnut shells, which can block the intestines [2].
- Never house two males together [1].
Leopard Gecko Temperature
Keep an air temperature gradient of 77 to 86°F from the cool side to the warm side, with a warm spot about 9°F (5°C) warmer, so up to about 95°F [8]. At night, temperatures can fall about 9°F [8]; leopard geckos tolerate nights down to 70°F [2].
| Zone | Target |
|---|---|
| Cool side | 77°F [8] |
| Warm side | 86°F [8] |
| Warm spot | About 9°F above the warm side, up to about 95°F [8] |
| Night | About 9°F cooler [8]; down to 70°F is tolerated [2] |
Use an under-tank heat mat on a thermostat or an overhead heat lamp kept out of reach. Your gecko should not be able to get closer than 6 inches to a heat light, and hot rocks are not recommended [2]. Measure the floor of the warm hide with a digital thermometer.
Leopard Gecko Humidity
Keep humidity around 20 to 30%, with more humidity needed during shedding [8]. Give a moist hide with damp sphagnum moss [1]; Merck notes a humid microclimate helps arid species like leopard geckos shed cleanly [8]. Stuck shed on the toes or tail tip is a sign the air is too dry. Too much moisture raises the risk of respiratory problems.
Lighting and UVB
Merck lists no special lighting requirement for leopard geckos but says broad-spectrum (UVB) lighting is still recommended [8]; VCA agrees, with the bulb 10 to 12 inches from the gecko [2]. PetMD suggests 10 to 12 hours of UVB a day [1]. Fluorescent UVB bulbs should sit within 12 inches of the animal and be replaced every 9 to 12 months, since UVB output drops with use [8]. Leave shaded areas so your gecko can get out of the light.
What to Feed and How Often
Leopard geckos eat live insects only, gut-loaded and dusted, and no fruit or vegetables [1]. Banded crickets make a good staple, with Dubia roaches for variety. Banded crickets are naturally resistant to the cricket virus that wiped out many house-cricket farms, and ours are virus-free and parasite-free. We use a special high-quality cricket feed and have a state-of-the-art watering system.
The size rule: feed insects no bigger than the space between your gecko's eyes [1][5]. Measure the gap and use the table below.
| Gap between your pet's eyes | Largest CCF cricket that fits the rule [1][7] |
|---|---|
| at least 1/8 inch | Pinheads 1/8" (7 to 14+ days) |
| at least 3/8 inch | Small 1/4 to 3/8" |
| at least 1/2 inch | Medium 1/2" |
| at least 3/4 inch | Large 3/4" |
| Not sure | Size down one size |
Feeder Size by Age (CCF Guide)
| Life stage | Banded crickets | Dubia roaches |
|---|---|---|
| Juvenile (until adulthood at 1 to 2 years [1]) | Pinheads 1/8", Small | Small |
| Adult | Medium, Large | Small, Medium |
CCF's own size guide, based on the eye-gap rule above. No vet source gives cricket sizes by age, so always check against your own animal and size down when in doubt.
Feeding Frequency
| Task | Juvenile | Adult |
|---|---|---|
| Feed insects | Daily [1]; every 1 to 2 days [2] | Every other day [1]; 2 to 3 times a week [2] |
| How many at once | 1 or 2 insects at a time, watch, remove leftovers [1] | Same [1] |
| Fresh water | Daily [1] | Daily [1] |
| Spot clean / full clean | Daily / weekly [1] | Same [1] |
Published veterinary guidance differs, so we show each source's range. Ask a veterinarian who treats reptiles about your gecko. PetMD's general gecko guide says most geckos eat what they catch in about 15 minutes, usually 4 to 6 insects [3].
Choosing a feeder? See our guide to the best feeder crickets for leopard geckos or try the reptile feeding calculator. Mealworms from CCF are coming soon.
Gut-Loading and Dusting
- Gut-load crickets at least 24 hours before feeding [2]; PetMD and LafeberVet say 24 to 48 hours [3][4]. See what do crickets eat for what to feed them.
- Dust with a high-calcium supplement immediately before feeding [8], because crickets groom off much of the dust within 30 minutes [4]. Merck also calls for feeding insects a diet high in calcium [8].
- A common schedule: dust every other feeding, alternating calcium with and without D3, plus a multivitamin once or twice a week [1]. VCA recommends a light dusting of phosphorus-free calcium and a shallow dish of calcium in the enclosure [2]. Follow the schedule your vet sets.
Handling and Behavior
Let a new gecko settle before handling, and PetMD suggests not handling regularly until it is about 6 inches long [1]. Support the whole body and never grab the tail, because leopard geckos can drop it. The tail stores fat, so a thinning tail is a health warning.
Common Health Problems
- Metabolic bone disease (soft jaw, bent limbs, trouble walking): usually a calcium, UVB or D3 problem.
- Impaction (no droppings, swollen belly): oversized prey or loose substrate.
- Stuck shed on toes and tail tip: check humidity and the moist hide.
- Weight loss and a thinning tail: needs a vet, there are several causes including parasites.
- Mouth swelling, discharge or bubbles from the nose: needs a vet.
When to See a Vet
- Not eating and losing weight, or a thinning tail.
- Swollen or sunken eyes, swollen or bent limbs.
- No droppings with a swollen belly.
- Retained shed you can't resolve.
- Wheezing, nasal bubbles, diarrhea or regurgitation.
Book a wellness check once a year [1]. Find a reptile vet through the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians [6].
Leopard Gecko Care FAQ
How do you take care of a leopard gecko?
Give it a warm-side and cool-side tank (20 gallons or more for one adult), a warm hide and a moist hide, humidity around 20 to 30% [8], live gut-loaded insects dusted with calcium, and fresh water every day [1].
What temperature does a leopard gecko need?
An air gradient of 77 to 86°F, with a warm spot about 9°F warmer and nights about 9°F cooler [8]. It can handle nights down to 70°F [2].
What humidity does a leopard gecko need?
About 20 to 30%, higher during shedding [8], with a moist hide of damp sphagnum moss [1].
Do leopard geckos need UVB?
Not strictly, but it is recommended [8][2]. PetMD suggests 10 to 12 hours a day [1]; replace fluorescent UVB bulbs every 9 to 12 months [8].
How often do leopard geckos eat?
Juveniles daily [1] or every 1 to 2 days [2]. Adults every other day [1] or 2 to 3 times a week [2]. Ask your vet which fits your gecko.
How many crickets should I feed a leopard gecko?
Offer one or two at a time and watch until it stops eating [1]. PetMD's general gecko guide says most geckos eat what they catch in about 15 minutes, usually 4 to 6 insects [3]. Remove any it doesn't eat.
What size crickets for a leopard gecko?
No bigger than the space between its eyes [1][5]. Measure the gap and use the size table on this page.
What do leopard geckos eat?
Live insects only, such as crickets, roaches and worms, gut-loaded and dusted. Fatty worms are treats. No fruit or vegetables [1].
How long do leopard geckos live?
Up to 10 to 20 years with proper care [1]. VCA says 10 to 15 years [2].
Can leopard geckos live together?
Never house two males together, and watch any pairing closely [1].
Feeding a leopard gecko?
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Sources
- PetMD, Leopard Gecko Care Sheet (Maria Zayas, DVM; reviewed by Ivan Alfonso, DVM)
- VCA Animal Hospitals, Leopard Geckos: Care and Feeding (Gregory Rich, DVM)
- PetMD, What Do Geckos Eat? (Lauren Jones, VMD)
- LafeberVet, Feeding Insect-Eating Reptiles (client handout)
- Tree of Life Exotic Pet Medical Center, Feeder Insects for Reptiles: A Complete Guide
- Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians (find a reptile vet)
- Carolina Cricket Farm, Live Crickets product page (cricket sizes)
- Merck Veterinary Manual, Management and Husbandry of Reptiles (Important Husbandry Requirements table, lighting, humidity and feeding)
This care sheet is general information, not veterinary advice. Ask a veterinarian who treats reptiles about your animal. Last updated: November 2026.