Native to Pakistan, Afghanistan, northwest India, and Iran, leopard geckos are one of the best choices for getting started with reptiles because of their docile nature, ease of care and vibrant colors. Despite their small size, they can have a long lifespan.
Still, leopard geckos can be susceptible to health issues if not properly cared for. In this article, you can learn about the average lifespan of leopard geckos as well as tips to help your pet lives as long as possible.
How Long Do Leopard Geckos Live?
In captivity, leopard geckos can live 15 to 20 years, and with proper care, they might live even longer, which demonstrates the importance of taking good care of them. However, in the wild, leopard gecko lifespan drops to about 6 to 8 years because of factors like parasites, harsh weather, diseases, and being hunted by predators.
Life Stages of Leopard Geckos
Like most other reptiles, leopard geckos go through four life stages: hatchling, juvenile, adult, and senior.
- Hatchling (0~2 months) - In this stage, a leopard gecko is usually about 2-3 inches long and weigh only a few grams. They are very fragile and require special care.
- Juvenile (2~7 months) - This stage is a period of rapid growth and development for leopard geckos, equivalent to our teenage stage.
- Adult (7~12+ months) - The beginning of the adult stage marks the sexual maturity of your leopard geckos. At this point, they are about 7+ inches in length and weigh between 2 and 4 ounces.
- Senior (10+ years) - After 10 years, leopard geckos usually enter the senior stage, becoming less active and possibly facing weight loss or slight vision issues.
Caring Tips to Extend Leopard Gecko Lifespan
As mentioned above, leopard geckos typically live around 15 to 20 years, but their lifespan can be vary based on things like environment, diet, and health issues. By taking proper care of your gecko and keeping the following factors in mid, you can help them live a longer life.
Habitat
A 20-gallon terrarium is the bare minimum for an adult leopard gecko, but bigger is always better. A 40-50 gallon tank is recommended for one or two geckos. Since leopard geckos are solitary creatures, if you do keep them in pairs, make sure they’re of similar size to avoid territorial disputes, especially with mature males.
Leopard geckos prefer a cluttered and enriched environment, so set up as many hiding spots as possible in the enclosure, such as logs, rocks, and branches. Without these, they are likely to become overwhelmed and stressed, which can shorten their lifespan.
Lastly, keep the terrarium away from vents and avoid placing it near windows or doors. Plus, it’s best to set it up in a relatively low-traffic area to help keep your gecko calm and happy.
Temperature
Leopard geckos are cold-blooded animals that rely on environment to regulate their body temperature. They prefer environment with thermal gradients so that they can adjust their body heat as needed. This means one side of their habitat is warm while the other remains cool.
To maintain the warmth, you can use a ceramic lamp, basking lamp, or heating pad connected to a thermostat, which automatically turns the heater on and off to maintain a stable temperature. Ideally, the temperature should be around 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and drop to 75 degrees Fahrenheit at night, while the cool side can just be at room temperature.
To do this, the ITC-306T temperature controller is an ideal option, which can be set two different temperature cycles for day and night, ensuring the habitat of your leopard geckos stays at the right temperature. Plus with the WiFi version, you can monitor the current temperature and control the heater remotely.
Humidity
Leopard geckos are desert lizards, so they don’t need high humidity. If the humidity is too high, you might need to increase ventilation for the enclosure or use a small dehumidifier. On the flip side, if the humidity drops below 20%, you gecko could struggle with shedding and might face skin or breathing issues. Ideally, humidity should be around 30-40%. You can either mist the enclosure manually or connect a dehumidifier and humidifier to a humidity controller to maintain the balance humidity automatically.
Lighting
Leopard geckos are nocturnal animals and are most active at night, so they don’t need much UV exposure. However, they still need adequate exposure to keep their vitamin D levels up, which is essential for calcium absorption. Without enough UV exposure, they risk losing bone density, leading to potential bone issues and fractures.
To ensure they get the right amount of UV, use a 2-5% UVB lamp that’s about half the length of the terrarium, mounting it to the top of the warm side of the tank. Then, use a timer to automate the lighting, giving them about 14 hours of light in summer and 12 hours in winter.
Water
Water is important for leopard geckos, so always provide a shallow dish with clean, fresh water on the cooler side of their habitat. They might not drink from a deep dish, so make sure it’s easy for them to reach. The water must be cleaned and changed daily, and if it gets dirty, sway it out immediately.
Diet
Leopard geckos are insectivores, which means they eat all kinds of bugs, but don’t feed them wild insects, dead ones, or those have been exposed to chemicals like insecticides or mold, as these can cause serious health issues.
To properly feed your leopard geckos, make sure to dust the insects with calcium and vitamin supplements an hour before serving them. Good options include crickets, wax worms, cockroaches, and mealworms, but also avoid feeding too many fat worms or too much protein, as this can also cause health problems. Juveniles should be fed every day and adults every other day.
Health
When you get a new leopard gecko, give it a thorough check-up, and don’t forget to take your older ones to the veterinarian for annual physicals. Healthy geckos have clear, bright eyes, are active, and their bellies should only touch the ground when they’re resting. A well-fed gecko will have a nice, thick tail, and their feces should be dry, made up of dark feces and white urates.
Leopard geckos are prone to calcium-related issues, so as mentioned above, giving them calcium supplements can help prevent common health problems. However, they often hide diseases until it’s too late. So regular observation and examinations are important. If you notice any signs like lethargy, not eating, or weird shedding, don’t hesitate to reach out to a reptile vet right away.
Handling
Leopard geckos are generally friendly and can be held gently in your hands with all four legs supported. Just avoid grabbing them by the tail since it can fall off. While it does grow back, the process will be very stressful on the gecko’s body.
Try not to overhandle juvenile geckos or those that flinch or bite when you reach for them. Also, it’s best not to take your leopard gecko out of the enclosure for too long, 10-15 minutes is recommended.
Finally, even if you keep your leopard gecko very health and clean, they can still carry salmonella, so you should always wash your hands after touching them, and it’s best for kids and those with weak immune systems to steer clear of direct contact.
