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Lifespan
The current lifespan of leopard geckos in captivity is 15-20 years. Recently though, there have been more and more geckos surpassing the 20 year mark. The oldest captive leopard gecko (that we know of) lived 42 years.
Sexing
Male
Male
Femoral pores
Two bulges at tail base
Tend to be 8-10in (20-25cm) long
Tend to weigh 60-80 grams
Female
Female
No femoral pores
No bulges at tail base
Tend to be 7-8in (18-20cm) long
Tend to weigh 50-70 grams
Common Health Issues In Leopard Geckos
The purpose of this page is not to replace veterinarian advice and treatment. It is always best to speak to a vet about health concerns in regards to your pet. This page is simply a list of common issues and common treatments for those issues. This does not list all health issues you may encounter.
Obesity
Obesity is typically caused by over feeding, feeding high fat insects, and/or having a lack of physical enrichment within the enclosure.
Treatment: feed less, feed lower fat insects, provide more climbing and digging opportunities within the enclosure.
D3 Deficiency
As the name suggests, having a deficiency in the vitamin D3 can lead to more advanced health issues. It is caused by not getting proper UVB and D3 supplements.
Treatment: set up a good quality UVB light and provide a calcium lick bowl with D3. You can also dust feeders with D3.
Parasitic Infections
Parasitic infections are (obviously) caused by parasites. This can also cause extreme malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies.
Treatment: visit a vet to get a dewormer and possibly additional medication.
Metabolic Bone Disease
MBD is caused by vitamin deficiencies.
Treatment: depending on the severity, there's different treatments. You need to remove all climbing opportunities and move the leo to a smaller tank. Set up a good quality UVB light and provide calcium with D3 supplements. In more severe cases, a vet will need to administer care with high intensity UVB and additional medication.
Many cases are unfortunately fatal due to the severity.
Tail Rot
Tail rot can be caused by a poor diet, calcium deficiency, D3 deficiency, improper heating, improper humidity, and bacteria.
Treatment: a vet can prescribe antibiotics, and the owner needs to make adjustments in husbandry depending on the original cause of the tail rot.
Tail Loss
Tail dropping is a natural defense mechanism for leos. When they are scared or stressed, they may drop their tail as a distraction to get away from the predator. Over time, the tail will regrow.
Treatment: if the tail makes a clean drop, you can simply move the leo into a sterile environment for the time being and monitor to ensure an infection doesn't occur. If the tail is only partially dropped, you may need a vet to finish dropping the tail via amputation surgery. If a dropped tail gets infected, make sure to visit a vet for medication.
Impaction
Impaction is a gastrointestinal blockage usually caused by consuming sand or other compacting substrate.
Treatment: place the gecko in shallow, warm water and massage the belly, give the gecko a drop of olive or mineral oil, in severe cases speak to a vet about surgery to remove the blockage.
Dysecdysis
Stuck shed/shedding problems
Often caused by a lack of humidity. It can also be common in senior and juvenile leos.
Treatment: provide a sauna (soak a paper towel in warm water and have a bit extra standing water. place gecko in the warm water for 20min), use a q-tip with warm water to rub gently on the stuck shed, place the gecko in shallow, warm water for 15-20min
Do not ever pull off the shed!
Dystocia
Dystocia occurs when a leo is unable to pass an egg. The egg may be completely stuck inside or partially laid.
Treatment: place the gecko in warm, shallow water for 15-20 minutes. If that doesn't help, visit a vet who can administer oxytocin injections.
Respiratory Infections
URIs can be caused by improper humidity, bacteria, fungus, parasites, or viruses.
Treatment: visit a vet to get antibiotics and probiotics
Malnutrition
Malnutrition is caused by improper feeding and vitamin deficiencies. In some cases it can also be caused by parasites.
Treatment: feed in higher quantities and more often. Feed a balanced diet but also provide high fat insects while building weight. In parasitic or extreme cases, visit a vet for additional treatment.
Sperm Plug
A sperm plug is another name for an infected hemipene. A hemipene is the male genetalia leopard geckos have. If it is outside of their body for reasons such as mating, they typically retract after a few minutes. If it doesn't, it can get infected.
Treatment: a vet visit is required to get medication and sometimes removal of the hemipene.
Prolapse
Leopard geckos can get a prolapse randomly with no actual cause. They can have a hemipene prolapse or a cloacal prolapse.
Treatment: typically you can soak the prolapse in a sugar water bath and then gently press it back in. If that is unsuccessful, you may need to see a vet.
Tumors
There are a few morphs with known links to causing skin tumors. However, tumors can happen to any gecko at any stage of life.
Treatment: A visit to a vet will give you the information you need regarding the severity and type of tumor your gecko has. Your vet will also create a personalized care plan for your leo.
Burns
Burns are caused by heat lamps. It can be that the bulb is too high of a wattage, it was left on for too long and overheated, or it was too close to the gecko.
Treatment: generally, the only "treatment" is adjusting the lights and waiting it out. However, if there is lesions, bleeding, ulcers, or inflammation, you'll need to visit a vet for treatment.
Blindness
Blindness can be linked to certain morphs, but it can also come as a birth defect, progress with age, or it can happen due to an injury or other illness.
Treatment: blind geckos can live a long, happy life with some adjustments such as tong feeding and safer climbing options in the enclosure.
Leopard Gecko Pregnancy And Egg Laying
Many female leopard geckos lay eggs throughout their life.
Leos can lay eggs without ever having a male around, but those eggs will be infertile.
If a female lays eggs that are not fertilized, you can collect them, freeze them, and then throw them away.
If a female lays eggs that are fertilized, you can collect them, incubate them, and hatch baby geckos.
The gestation period is 2-5 weeks and can vary based on environment and the individual gecko.
General clutch size is 2 eggs, but there are instances where only one egg is laid.
While pregnant, it is important to provide the female more food and ensure she is getting enough supplemental vitamins.
When the female is ready to lay her eggs, make sure to provide her with a lay box.
A lay box can be made with a tupperware container. Put the lid on and cut a hole in the side or top, so she can enter and leave freely. Add in moist substrate (such as a soil and sand mix misted with water) and she will lay her eggs in here. The humidity can help relax her muscles and help her pass the eggs more easily. She may also bury the eggs in the substrate after laying.
Leos don't have maternal instincts and are not meant to raise their young. The babies should not be kept in the same enclosure with the mother, or she will eat them.
***For more information on incubating eggs, visit the eggs page***
***For more information on raising hatchlings, visit the hatchlings page***
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