Imformation on Leopard Geckos

Question
Hi im Ian, and I need more info on Leopord Geckos Because im going to get one and I don't know much about them can you please tell me more stuff on Leopard Geckos?


Answer
Hello Ian,

Leopard geckos are very friendly & easy to keep.  Are you planning on getting one or more?  
A 10-20 gallon is sufficient for housing 1 leopard gecko.  As for the substrate, I would suggest something such as reptile type carpet, or tiles, but no sand.  They lick the sand alot, & that can cause impaction in them.  The calcisand & reptisand are calcium based, which seems to encourage them to lick it if they are calcium deficient.  The sand doesn't digest & clumps up & impacts them.
They do well with undertank heating such as an undertank heater.
A good setup would be to put the undertank heater on one end on top of the cave or hide you will be using.  Make sure to put sphagnum moss in there to hold moisture with help in his sheds.  
They do need a hot spot or a basking spot of around 85-90 but NO higher than that.  You can use either a ceramic heat emitter or a softwhite lightbulb just for some heating.  Be sure to get a digital probe to check to be sure the temps don't get too hot on the warmer end.  
The other end should be a cooler end for him to retreat to, which should be around 75 or so, & you can put a half log or something else on that end for him to lay under or climb on.
The best feeders for him are small crickets, mealworms, phoenix worms & waxworms on ocassion.  Be sure to dust the feeders with calcium at least 3 times a week, or you can leave a dish of calcium in the tank with him & he will lick out what he wants.  They do drink water from a water dish too.  
You can opt for a UVB flourescent tube bulb but a low output one such as the reptisun 5 as it never hurts to provide a little bit of UVB to ensure he absorbs calcium properly.  

Let me know what questions you have.  

Tracie