Life Expectancy Of A Leopard Gecko In Captivity with Care Tips

The average life expectancy of a Leopard Gecko in captivity is between five and ten years, although they can live longer with proper care. In fact, some longtime owners have reported having their Leopard Geckos live between 10 to 20 years! Many factors play into the life span such as diet, temperature, lighting, humidity and more. It’s not always possible to control all these variables so it’s important to learn about them so you know what might be affecting your gecko’s health.

>>Click Here, This Guide Might Save Your Leopard Gecko In Bad Situations

Some geckos do not live as long in captivity as others. It’s believed that this is because their natural environment and diet in the wild contribute to their health and lifespan. They are also less stressed in their natural habitat, making them healthier than captive leopard geckos. Whether your gecko will live longer in captivity depends on many things, but 10 years is about average for an adult Leopard Gecko.

The mean life span of a Leopard Gecko is 8 years under human care. The females of the species tend to live longer than the males. This is probably because females spend more time nesting and are born right around their mating season. Female Leopard Geckos are also less stressed in captivity, which gives them an immune system that keeps them healthier than male Leopard Geckos.

9 Care Tips For Leopard Gecko in Captivity

#1. Diet

Leopard geckos eat crickets, a variety of fresh vegetables (like carrots and zucchini), mealworms, and SuperPretzel Treats daily. The SuperPretzels are really important to their diet because they provide the much-needed calcium that every animal needs in order to stay healthy! You can also give them extra water if they seem like they need it. Just make sure they aren’t drinking too much or their skin will get too dry, so watch their water dish!

#2. Temperature

Leopard geckos need to be kept at a temperature of around 75 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the day. They should not be placed outside as this will increase the humidity and cause them to dehydrate. If you are only able to maintain this range in your living space, be sure to take them into a shaded area during the heat of the day.

#3. Humidity

The average indoor humidity for leopard geckos is about 40 percent (but it can range from 30 percent up to 60 percent). You can help reduce their humidity level by using a humidifier or covering their tank with an aquarium hood. If you notice your gecko’s skin scaling more than usual, this could be a sign of too much humidity. The best way to combat this is to provide your gecko with some lukewarm water in a shallow dish. Your leopard gecko will drink from the dish and help reduce the amount of moisture in the air around it.

#4. Handling

Leopard geckos are fairly docile and should not be handled very often because they easily get nervous and stressed. They do, however, adore being petted, but only if they’re used to it. If you handle them regularly when they’re young (say under 6 months), they should get used to it as adults. If you try to handle them and they don’t seem comfortable, just stop. They will eventually get used to being handled.

#5. Weighing

Leopard geckos are excellent pets and should be treated as such. They are not like other animals that are sold in pet stores and can be aggressive towards people who try to pick them up, so keep this in mind if you ever think that this is something you may want to do. If you want to pick them up, we recommend getting a pair of gloves or wearing gloves when touching your leopard gecko because they can get very defensive when picked up.

#6. Shedding

Leopard Geckos shed their skin about once a month in the wild. This is why it is so important to keep them in a nice warm and humid environment. They need to shed properly so it can be easy for them to get out of their old skin. If the gecko has not shed within two weeks, you may want to mist your gecko with warm water or place them on a heating pad for about 15 minutes, until the skin begins to loosen along the limbs and tail. Never pull at the skin trying to help the gecko get out of its old skin as this can cause damage. The gecko can regrow the skin at any time, but it is easier if it sheds in a proper manner. If possible, try holding your gecko upside down and gently removing its old skin from underneath it.

#7. Housing

Leopard geckos need a fairly large tank for their size, about the size of a 20 gallon aquarium for one and around the size of a 55 gallon aquarium for two. They do need to have some empty space in the tank so that they can climb, but don’t go smaller than what has been mentioned here because it will cause them to become more stressed out and less healthy overall.

#8. Hiding

Leopard geckos love to hide and you should provide them with a few hides in which they can retreat to. They will feel safer if they are able to hide and not be exposed at all times. The hides can be made out of driftwood, rock caves, or reptile carpet/trees. You can also make your own hides by gluing fake plants or cardboard on the back side of a rock or log and covering it with moss or something similar. Be sure that all of their hides can be secured on their tank so that they don’t fall into their water dish!

#9. Climbing space

Make sure your gecko has a lot of climbing space. Leopard Geckos are very curious creatures, and they love climbing to heights that allow them to see their surroundings. Providing a variety of cage furnishings will allow your Leopard Gecko to explore as it pleases.

Many leopard geckos love to devour fuzzy, but sometimes you need to take care of your pet in a different way. Bringing the gecko in for a health check can prevent the animal from getting sick or injured and give you peace of mind.The post above provides tips for taking care of your leopard gecko.