| Anyone who is interested in having their leopard | | | | a male gecko is housed with several females but |
| geckos reproduce should be mindful of the fact that | | | | remember that the enclosure should be large enough |
| males usually reach reproductive age somewhere | | | | to comfortably house all the reptiles. |
| between 10-16 months of age. The females on the | | | | Preparations must be made beforehand for the eggs |
| other hand take a bit longer to reach reproductive | | | | that may result from the pairing. The female gecko |
| age. For females it usually takes somewhere around | | | | should have an egg box to deposit her eggs and it |
| 24 months of age or a bit longer. In addition, the | | | | should have an opening that allows her to enter and |
| females should be big enough and healthy enough to | | | | leave easily. The inside of the box should be moist |
| lay eggs, keeping in mind that eggs are not only large | | | | and have material inside that the female can lay and |
| but the process of egg laying is strenuous. | | | | partially bury her eggs in. Many pet owners use |
| You have geckos in your care, but how can you tell | | | | certain types of moss for this purpose. Another |
| which gender is which? Well for starters, much of the | | | | important thing to have ready and prepared is an |
| differences can be seen by observing the area | | | | incubator. |
| located on the underside of the gecko where the | | | | In the wild leopard geckos do not stay to care for |
| following all meet: the hind legs, the tail and the area | | | | their young once they lay their eggs. Therefore, the |
| immediately before the tail. In this region, you will see | | | | pet owner needs to take the eggs and care for |
| that males have a dark row of pores in between | | | | them. This is where the incubator will come in handy. |
| their legs on the underside of their body that forms | | | | After the mother lays the eggs they must be |
| almost a U shape; some say a V shape. The females | | | | removed from the mothers' box and placed in an |
| do not have this marking and if they do it is hardly | | | | incubator. When moving the eggs be careful not to |
| noticeable. In this very same region towards the tail | | | | agitate them, do not turn them on their side or |
| you will see that males have a protruding bump but in | | | | upside down. The eggs will be in the incubator for the |
| females there is no such bulging region. Remember | | | | next several weeks at the appropriate temperature |
| that the reptiles need to be old enough for these tell | | | | until they have hatched. |
| tale signs to be present so you might not see them | | | | In 4 to 6 weeks the young leopard geckos will |
| in younger geckos. Some other less reliable ways to | | | | emerge from their eggs. Proper care and nutrition |
| distinguish males from females can include such | | | | should be provided for the baby geckos. The cycle |
| generalizations as: males are usually more brightly | | | | will then repeat itself because the youngsters will |
| colored, larger and weigh more than a female who is | | | | grow, reach reproductive age and in turn they can |
| not carrying eggs. | | | | have their own babies. Once these babies begin |
| Leopard geckos can breed anytime throughout the | | | | growing and reach a certain age, a pet owner may |
| year but the warmer months are best beginning | | | | again find himself or herself looking for the tell tale |
| around March until autumn. Breeding can occur when | | | | signs to try to tell the males from the females. |