Pet Information > ASK Experts > Exotic Pets > Reptiles > leopard gecko compatibility?

leopard gecko compatibility?

22 14:26:44

Question
Hi, I have an adult female leopard gecko who is about 3 years old. I've had her for about 2 years, and she lives alone in a 50 gallon tank. The reason she's in such a big tank is because I've been wanting to get another lizard, possibly another female, but I'm also wondering what other lizards she'd be able to peaceably share her habitat with? Imber is extremely friendly and curious, though I imagine she would be a little protective of her favorite rock around another lizard. She's also a little slow when it comes to feeding (i usually feed her 2-3 crickets every 2 days), but otherwise she's perfectly healthy.

What kind of lizard could I put in there without my girl getting herself killed?

Answer
Dear Madison,
thank you for your question.
I don't recommend co-housing other species in a tank of that size. Mostly, different species need different conditions and the tank is too small to create different microclimates. Apart from that, they would stress each other because they have no room to avoid each other if they want to. Leopard geckos are also aggressive toward other geckos/lizards and may try to eat smaller lizards. Bigger lizards may prey on the leopard gecko in turn.
It's better to get another female or a male and a female. When you introduce them, rearrange the tank so that none of them is familiar with it.

2-3 crickets every day is too much food - adult leopard geckos should be fed only once or twice a week and can have three or four crickets at each feeding. You can feed every day, but then only small portions and smaller feeder insects (for example two small crickets or baby roaches instead of a adult crickets). The only exception are gravid females who can be fed more often.

I hope I was of some help to you
Jennifer