Reptile atlas

Morph/Variant Note: A dominant mutation that brightens and intensifies the base yellow of the gecko and incredibly lightens the eyes, but is tragically linked to the formation of deadly tumors (Iridophoromas).

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Inhabits the arid desert highlands, steppes, and rocky areas of the Middle East, from northern Pakistan and northwestern India to Afghanistan. It is a terrestrial and fossorial reptile that spends the hot daylight hours hidden in humid burrows under rocks or bark, emerging at dusk to hunt.

Taxonomy and Genetics: Belongs to the subfamily Eublepharinae. Unlike the vast majority of geckos, Leopard Geckos possess functional, movable eyelids to protect their eyes, and lack adhesive toe pads (setae). They only have claws, which prevent them from climbing smooth vertical surfaces but make them excellent diggers.

Behavior and Habits: Extremely docile, calm, and curious, making them one of the most popular reptilian pets. They are crepuscular and nocturnal. They perceive their environment using sharp vision and an excellent sense of smell, aided by their tongue. They use their thick tail as a fat storage site to survive dry periods.

Morphology: Robust and stocky lizards reaching 20-25 cm in length. The original wild-type coloration is yellow with dark bands and black spots, but hundreds of captive-bred morphs have been developed. Adult males have slightly wider heads and prominent V-shaped preanal pores and hemipenal bulges at the base of the tail.

Terrarium Setup: A low and wide glass enclosure (minimum 80x45x45 cm) is ideal. Use an arid bioactive substrate (soil, sand, and peat mix) or paper towels for quarantine. Crucial components include three hides: one in the warm zone, one in the cool zone, and a humid hide filled with damp sphagnum moss to aid in shedding.

Lighting and Heating: Requires a thermal gradient with a heating pad or deep heat projector (thermostatically controlled) providing a warm side of 30-32°C, while the cool side can drop to 24°C. A night drop down to 20°C is beneficial. Provide a low-intensity UVB light (e.g. 5-7% UVB) to support vitamin D3 and calcium synthesis.

Humidity and Hydration: Maintain low ambient humidity around 30-40%. A shallow dish of fresh water must always be available. Localized high humidity must be provided in the humid hide to prevent retained sheds, which can lead to necrosis and loss of toes.

Feeding and Supplementation: Strictly insectivorous. Feed on crickets, locusts, mealworms, or dubia roaches. Feed juveniles daily and adults every other day. Dust all prey items with pool calcium, and use a Calcium + D3 and multivitamin supplement 1-2 times a week.

Compatibility: Solitary animals. Never house two males together, as they will fight to the death. A male can be housed with two or three females only in very large enclosures, but individual housing is generally the safest and most successful approach.

Health and Common Diseases: Watch the tail: if it becomes very thin ('stick tail'), it indicates malnutrition or a severe parasitic infection (such as Cryptosporidium). Prone to metabolic bone disease (MBD) if fed a calcium-deficient diet. Handle gently to avoid tail drop (autotomy).