| Pet Leopard geckos are often housed in large | | | | Hiding places are another thing to consider adding to |
| aquariums. The conditions inside their enclosure | | | | the setup. Leopard geckos require places they can |
| should, as best as possible, simulate the arid | | | | use for hiding. It helps them feel safer and it helps |
| environmental conditions that they are accustomed | | | | reduce their anxiety and stress levels. Rock |
| to. | | | | formations, caves and such structures can be |
| The first step in setting up a habitat for a leopard | | | | provided and make good hiding places for them. |
| gecko to stay is to acquire an enclosure that is | | | | The temperature inside the tank should be |
| transparent and suitable in size to house the number | | | | approximately eighty to eight-five degrees Fahrenheit |
| of geckos that will be living in it. A 20 gallon aquarium | | | | during the day. At night, it should be approximately |
| tank is best suited for one to three geckos. Since, | | | | seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit. A lamp or bulb |
| the Leopard gecko cannot climb vertically and spends | | | | placed directly on one side of the tank will give off |
| most of its time on the ground or close to it, choose | | | | the needed heat. This can be monitored with the use |
| a tank that is wide horizontally and long horizontally. | | | | of a thermostat or thermometer designed for this |
| Purchase a transparent enclosure so that the Gecko | | | | purpose and available in pet stores. A heating pad |
| may be observed without having to lift it or the | | | | placed beneath the tank can also help increase the |
| enclosure. Lifting or changing the position of the | | | | temperature to establish the necessary temperature |
| geckos' home might cause it to become stressed and | | | | needed by a Leopard gecko. Unlike mammals, reptiles |
| this can ultimately lead to a decrease in appetite. Put | | | | such as geckos depend on external sources to give |
| a screen cover over the top of the tank to shield | | | | them with the necessary heat their bodies need. |
| the reptile from unwanted insects and other dangers. | | | | They simply move from areas of hot, warm or cool |
| A cover with holes will also help keep more of the | | | | to regulate their body temperature. |
| moisture and humidity within the tank. | | | | Another thing to consider when setting up a place |
| The next step, is to line the bottom of the aquarium | | | | for the animal is the humidity. The humidity should be |
| with suitable material. Ordinarily, newspapers or paper | | | | maintained at around forty five percent and can be |
| towels will do. However, hobbyists who want to | | | | monitored using an instrument found in many pet |
| recreate or simulate a more natural environment | | | | stores. One can make the enclosure more humid by |
| often use sand to line the bottom of the tank. There | | | | simply spraying the enclosure with water once a day |
| is some controversy surrounding the use of sand | | | | and maintaining the aquarium at the recommended |
| because some feel that it is a danger to leopard | | | | temperatures. A wet towel, moss or newspaper can |
| geckos' health. Some gecko enthusiasts believe that | | | | be placed in a shallow container or plastic box that |
| they can eat the sand and this could result in serious | | | | the gecko can easily access or walk into. The higher |
| health issues for the animal. Instead, these pet | | | | humidity inside the reptiles' enclosure also helps it with |
| owners prefer to line the enclosure with paper | | | | skin shedding; a natural process. |
| towels or newspapers. Others disagree that sand is | | | | The basic setup of the leopard gecko habitat is now |
| harmful and say that sand is perfectly fine. There is | | | | complete. The reptiles can now be added. They |
| yet another group of leopard gecko owners who | | | | should be fed healthy food, and they should get |
| choose a middle ground and use sand as a substrate | | | | fresh water daily. Remember to continue monitoring |
| for adult geckos but they use paper towels on the | | | | the temperature, humidity and overall conditions inside |
| flooring for baby and young leopard geckos. | | | | the setup. |