Leopard Gecko Habitat - How To Create The Perfect Habitat?

Added: (Wed Sep 22 2010)

Pressbox (Press Release) - The desert is the initial thing that comes to mind whenever one envisions a leopard gecko in its natural habitat. The sun, the sand, the dry woods all combine together to create a picture of how a gecko is in its original environment. This idea is actually what most hobbyists tend to replicate whenever they create a shelter for their gecko pets. Here are five (5) essential tips that will be useful in creating a leopard gecko habitat:

1. Choose an aquarium big enough to accommodate your leopard geckos. A 10 gallon aquarium tank will be the best enclosure for one leopard gecko. It is wide enough for him to roam around, climb branches and even hunt for its food. Use a substrate that will compliment rather than complicate situations for your pets. Sand and other granular materials should not be used since they are perceived to be unsafe. Granular substrates have also been known to cause impact among geckos. Use safe substrates such as unprinted news papers, paper towels, and Repti-carpets.

2. Infuse things that can be found in its natural environment. Adding smooth rocks and logs will encourage your geckos to act in their natural environment. These will be useful pieces for them to climb, exercise and move around. Placing live plants will emulate his natural environment. This would also be good places for him to hide, or breed. Nevertheless, select plants that are safe for this specie.

3. Provide three separate hides inside the aquarium. A single gecko enclosure should be built with three hides, strategically located in the tank: one situated in the warm end of the enclosure, one at the cool end and the third which will be the humid hide will be located in the warmer side of the enclosure. These hides should be large enough to accommodate the geckos.

You may also set-up multiple hides of each type to avoid over crowding. The purpose of setting up separate hides is because of the need of the geckos to thermo-regulate their bodies; they may simply shift from one hide to the other (warm to cold hide) based on what their body requires. The humid hide can be used to aid them in shedding or in cases where they need to lay eggs.

4. Use a heating device for your enclosures. Most heaters that are widely used for leopard gecko aquariums are under tank heaters (UTH) or heat mats. These types of heaters adhere to the bottom of the glass aquarium and are recommended to be placed in one end to cover 1/3 of the enclosure. This shall be considered the warmer side of the aquarium where the warm hides can be situated.

5. Install lighting on top of your aquarium. Since leopard geckos are nocturnal, they are more alert and active during the evening hours. However, unlike other reptiles that require expensive UV lights, geckos do not need this. A simple red light bulb is sufficient since these lizards cannot see this color, thus wouldn't disturb them. The light bulb often partners well with an under tank heaters (UTH) since both emit heat from the different areas of the aquarium.

So, are you now ready to set-up your Leopard Gecko habitat? Just follow the tips provided above and it will surely serve the purpose of providing a conducive, cost-efficient and beneficial environment for your pets.

Kena have been writing articles for nearly 2 years. Come visit his blogs more often for tips and advice that helps people with the interest for pet lizards and great passion and knowledge for pet lizards and all the different options & providers available in the market today. Find out for more info also here pet lizards

http://www.theleopardgeckoguide.com