| We've all heard the universal saying: "Dogs are man's | | | | under-tank heater that covers 1/3 of the floor area |
| best friend". While the phrase may be emotionally | | | | at 85-95 degrees Fahrenheit is sufficient year-round. |
| correct, in terms of pet popularity, the reptiles are | | | | Two hides are also needed, 1 on the "cool" side of |
| already past their mammalian counterparts. In the UK | | | | the tank and the other on the "heated" side. These |
| at least, reptiles have overtaken dogs on the | | | | will provide your little gecko security during sleeping |
| popularity scale with the number of reptile pets at as | | | | hours and times of stress. An additional "moist hide" |
| many as 8 million, compared to the dogs, which | | | | filled with damp paper towels, and/or sphagnum |
| hover near 6.5 million. This is no very surprising when | | | | moss is recommended to be placed on the heated |
| looking at reptiles from a convenience standard. | | | | side to aid the animal in shedding, the expelling of old |
| Reptiles are relatively low-cost and low maintenance | | | | skin so the gecko can grow larger. |
| when compared to mammalian competitors. They are | | | | When it comes to what's on the dinner plate, leopard |
| also on average longer lived then their cats and dogs | | | | geckos are not picky. They readily accept any |
| rivals. Putting these into perspective how can anyone | | | | insects that are small enough to fit in their mouths. |
| neglect the reptile's success in the pet trade? At the | | | | Among the most common prey are commercially |
| forefront of the reptile takeover of the pet industry | | | | raised crickets and mealworms/superworms. Coating |
| is the hardy and humble leopard gecko (Eublepharis | | | | the insects in calcium is always a good idea to |
| macularius). | | | | prevent bone disease in these reptiles. The gecko will |
| The leopard gecko embraces most, if not all, of the | | | | often chase the insects with comic attitudes and |
| best qualities of a reptilian companion. They are small | | | | feeding time is always a fun time to watch. As the |
| enough to be kept economically (usually growing to a | | | | geckos mature into larger adults, it is optional to feed |
| max of 8-10 inches), yet large enough to tolerate | | | | pinky mice as a treat but this is never mandatory. |
| handling, do not make unnecessary noise, relatively | | | | Usually when people think of reptiles, they do not |
| odor free, ease of temperament, do not require | | | | imagine friendly animals that willingly sit on a person's |
| vaccinations, easy to keep, hardy, relatively long | | | | hand. Leos are a stark contrast. They almost never |
| lived, etc. The list goes on and on for these little | | | | bite and with a little bit of handling, your gecko will |
| immigrants from the Middle East. | | | | become as tame, or even tamer, than a dog. Hold |
| Leos are among the easiest reptiles to care for. A | | | | your gecko for 5 minutes at a time each day and it |
| 10-20 gallon tank is enough to accommodate 1-2 | | | | will become accustomed to your touch. Tame adults |
| geckos for their entire life. Hailing from the dry areas | | | | have been known to never skitter around and sit |
| of Pakistan and India, they require little water. | | | | contently on an owner's hand, moving with deliberate |
| Nothing more than a shallow dish to occasionally drink | | | | slow steps. Handling is often the most enjoyable |
| from is needed. Unlike tropical animals, they don't | | | | times with your pet. |
| require misting, and the substrate (tank floor) can be | | | | With all of these bonuses from keeping a leopard |
| lined with simple materials such as paper towels, to | | | | gecko it isn't hard to understand how they have |
| ensure safety and ease of cleanup. *Some keepers | | | | become the most popular reptile pet. Their reluctance |
| like to house their pets on sand, but this is not | | | | to bite and calm dispositions make them certainly one |
| recommended due to impaction risks. | | | | of the most rewarding pets you will ever own. And |
| As far as tank décor goes, the inventory doesn't | | | | with an average lifespan of more than 20 years, if |
| have to be elaborate either. Leos require heat and | | | | well kept, your leopard gecko can become a life |
| shelter. These are the two primary things needed. An | | | | companion for you to enjoy with for a long time. |