Gecko Care 101 – A Complete Guide For Taking Care Of Geckos

Geckos are small, carnivorous lizards that live in warm climates around the world. They have the ability to walk up walls and across ceilings, which is how they got their name. Geckos are lizards that live in warm climates around the world.

A gecko has a flat body with short legs and long toes tipped with sticky pads. The pads allow them to climb smooth surfaces such as glass, metal, or plastic without falling off. Geckos can also use their toes to hold onto rough surfaces like tree bark or leaves by using microscopic hairs on their toes called setae. This is how they get around in nature without a tail!

In this article, I’ll discuss how to take care of them & how to make sure your pet gecko gets the care they deserve. It applies to almost all gecko breeds you might find in a nearby pet store.

What Types of Geckos Can I Own as a beginner?

Two leopard gecko under shade

When it comes to choosing geckos as pets there are a number of options including leopard geckos, crested geckos, African fat-tailed geckos, etc. It all comes down to your choice and dedication. While some are very easy to take care of, some can be a bit tricky. if you are a first-time owner consider going with a leopard gecko.

Leopard geckos are a popular choice for pet owners. They are relatively easy to care for, and they don’t require a lot of space or special lighting.

Leopard geckos are native to the dry regions of Africa and Asia. They have adapted to living in areas with little moisture, so they need less water than other types of lizards.

Their diet consists primarily of insects such as roaches, crickets, mealworms, and wax worms. However, they also eat fruit and vegetables such as apples and carrots. Leopard geckos will eat small pieces of meat if it is added to their diet on occasion, but this is not necessary for their health.

Here is a list of geckos that are easy to care for and most suitable for first-time owners:

  • Leopard gecko
  • African Fat-tail gecko
  • Crested gecko

These three mentioned on the list are relatively easy to take care of compared to other breeds and variations.

How hard is it to care for a gecko?

Geckos are not difficult to care for and are actually quite easy to keep as pets. They require a tank with proper lighting, a hiding spot, nutritious food, and water. Geckos can make great pets because they do not need to be handled often.

Especially the ones I mentioned earlier are very easy to take care of. It is almost the same effort as having any other pet. The only benefit is that they don’t need to be taken on walks and typically have a thick skin that will help them adapt to most environments without any issues.

If you provide a proper shelter, their required diet, hiding spot, and some time dedicated to playing with them they are all set and happy to live with you.

So, in my opinion, they are easier to take care of and less demanding compared to other reptile pets.

How to take care of geckos?

As mentioned earlier taking care of geckos are quite easy. Here are the things you’ll need to take good care of your gecko:

  • Prepare a shelter for your gecko
  • Ensure a proper diet
  • Ensure they are healthy & happy
  • Dedicate some playtime

How to prepare a shelter for geckos?

Preparing a proper shelter is a must for geckos. This will keep them secure and live a healthy life. To ensure a proper shelter you’ll need to have at least the elements listed below:

  • A tank with a lid
  • Gecko suitable substrate
  • Create a hiding spot
  • Ensure proper lighting
  • Maintain required temperature & Humidity

Get a proper tank with a Lid

Typically to create a shelter for your gecko you’ll need to have a tank made of glass with a lid. First of all, you need to make sure your gecko has sufficient space to move around.

In most cases, a 10-gallon tank with a tight-fitting lid is sufficient space for one leopard gecko but if you have the space and budget go with a 20-gallon tank this will give your pet plenty of free space to play around.

You need to place your tank on a seedy and leveled surface. Avoid using cages for your gecko habitat.

Add Substrates suitable for geckos

Substrates are a huge part of a geckos habitat. You can add flooring to your tank for them to walk naturally without any issues. Geckos are reptile animals and they need some kind of materials between them and the glass surface like most other reptiles.

Some of the substrates could be ready-made reptile carpets, non-adhesive shelf liners, etc. You can also use paper towels or newspaper too as the substrate.

However, try to avoid sand or mulch as substrate. Sand can get inside your geckos’ nose and cause blockage same goes with mulch. Sometimes small twigs and particles from the mulch can cause damage to your geckos’ skin and make them uneasy.

Create a hiding spot for your gecko

Gecko hiding under a hiding spot

When it comes to taking care of your pet gecko, I can’t stress the point of having a proper hiding spot on the terrarium for your gecko. You need to make sure that the spot remains moist compared to the surroundings. Usually, geckos are from heated desert areas. During the daytime, they try to hide in the valley creeks or under rocks. So naturally, those places have a lot of moisture.

You need to make sure they have a hiding spot around the same moisture level. You can use many things for the hiding spot such as small boxes, plastic containers with holes, Coconut shells, etc.

You need to make sure there aren’t any sharp points or edges available on the hiding spots to prevent injury. This will help your geckos to hide and thrive at the same time.

Ensure proper lighting

Lighting setups on gecko tanks are required for the two essential roles of the gecko’s lifestyle. One is the source of light and heat and the other is the source of UVB.

Since geckos are cold-blooded animals they can’t produce heat. To encounter that problem you should add busking lights on the tank. A baking light makes sure that there will be enough heat and light for the gecko to live comfortably.

Another essential lighting element is a UV light that’ll provide the required UVB rays for the proper growth of strong bones and body structure.

Make sure to mimic the day and night cycles on your tank with the light to provide the best living conditions for your pet gecko.

Maintain required temperature and humidity

Geckos will need to have a certain temperature from species to species in order to live a healthy lifestyle. Make sure you provide the proper temperature for your gecko based on your needs. But generally here are the required temperatures:

  • Cold side 70-75 F
  • Warm side 90-95 F

Tank temperature range for geckos

Geckos are cold-blooded animals and they need to maintain a certain body temperature to stay healthy. They can’t regulate their body temperature as we do, so they rely on the environment around them. When it’s too hot, reptiles will seek shade or water to cool down. In the wintertime, they will hibernate in order to conserve energy and protect themselves from the cold.

Try to maintain a variety of temperatures around in the tank of your leopard gecko. One side should have a temperature of 70-75 F while one side should have a temperature of 90-95 F. Depending on the mood and need your gecko will move to either side on its own.

To maintain the temperature you can use heaters on top of your tank. Make sure to add some UV lights to provide them with the sensation of natural sunlight.

How to ensure a proper diet for your gecko?

A leopard gecko with insect in front of it

Ensuring a proper diet is a must for your gecko. You need to make sure you are giving them the nutrients they need to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Also, you’ll have to monitor their feeding habits.

If you see any changes in their appetite find out the reason and take steps. You will need to ensure that they are not overfeeding because this can cause a lot of issues with their health. Follow a regular feeding pattern to get the best outcomes.

What Type of Food Should I Give my gecko?

The gecko is a reptile that is native to warm regions of the world. They are known for their ability to climb up walls and hang upside down from ceilings. Geckos are insectivores, which means they eat bugs like crickets and mealworms. so you should always aim for food that they can acquire naturally.

There are many different types of food you can feed your gecko, but it’s important to know what type of gecko you have and what type of food they prefer before choosing. For example, if your gecko is an African fat-tailed gecko, then you should feed them insects like mealworms or crickets because they’re insectivores. If your gecko is a leopard gecko, then you should feed them insects like crickets & Dubia roaches because they’re insectivores as well.

How much should I feed my Gecko?

Reptiles need a lot of food because their metabolism is much slower than ours (they only eat once or twice a week). They also need different types of food than we do because their digestion process is different.

A leopard gecko should be fed at least once every day with crickets or mealworms as its main diet. A crested gecko should be fed at least once every other day with crickets or mealworms.

How Do Frequent Feedings Affect gecko Health?

You should only feed your adult gecko once a day or every other day depending on their breed and size. Giving them extra food will cause more harm than good.

Geckos are a type of lizard that can be found in the deserts and rainforests of the world. They feed on insects and other small prey. Geckos are typically nocturnal hunters, meaning they hunt at night. Geckos have a sticky tongue that is used to capture prey, which they then swallow whole.

Frequent feedings can affect gecko health in a number of ways. For example, it can lead to obesity, which can result in more energy being spent on digesting the food. It also leads to more aggressive behavior when given food because the gecko will not feel full after eating one insect meal and will need to eat more before it feels satisfied again.

Obesity in Leopard gecko. Side effect of over-feeding your geckos

How Much Water Should You Give Your Pet Gecko?

It is recommended to provide your pet gecko with a water dish that is deep enough for them to submerge their entire bodies. Your pet gecko will need more water in the summer than in the winter.

A good rule of thumb is to fill the dish with enough water so that your pet gecko can have its body underwater but still be able to keep its head above the water.

FAQ

Is it possible to keep a gecko at home?

Yes. Geckos are one of the most common lizards found in homes and deserts. They are also one of the easiest reptiles to take care of. However, they need a well-established habitat with a lot of plants, hiding places, and humidity.

Why should you take care of the geckos?

Geckos are small, lizard-like animals that can be found in various regions of the world. They are the only lizards that can live in a house or apartment with humans.

What is the most popular gecko breed for beginners?

Leopard geckos are one of the most popular breeds among gecko owners & it’s the most popular among beginners.

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