Leopard Geckos Make Great Pets

Have you ever considered keeping a lizard for a pet, but didn’t know where to start?  Leopard geckos are generally considered to be a good choice for beginning reptile owners. At an adult length of approximately 8 inches, they do not require the amount of space demanded by the larger pet lizards, but they’re large enough to be viewed and handled easily.  In the wild, the most typical color variety, or “morph,” is a leopard-like spotted pattern in yellow, black and white with slightly purple tinges.  In captivity, these lizards have been bred in a number of exotic colors and patterns including stripes, jungle patterns, and brilliant yellows.  And there is nothing quite like looking into a leopard gecko’s scintillating, vertically-slit eyes!




Leopard geckos are a nocturnal desert species native to the area encompassing Afghanistan, Pakistan, and northeastern India.  Instead of the remarkable climbing feet of other gecko species, leopard gecko feet are equipped with tiny claws that are more adapted to moving on rough ground than climbing.  Given their adaptation to the harsh desert environment, they are very hardy lizards, and can live to an age of close to 30 years old!  If you’re thinking of bringing a leopard gecko into your home, be sure that you are ready to care for it over its long life.  Luckily, they don’t require too much extravagance in their daily care.