5 things to know about your leopard gecko
Leopard geckos live as long as 20 years
Leopard geckos can grow as long as 10 inches (25 cm) in length
In the wild, leopard geckos live in the desert and are nocturnal
Unlike other geckos, the leopard gecko doesn’t have sticky hands, so he can’t climb walls and other vertical surfaces like the many of his relatives
The leopard gecko is one of only a few gecko species that has distinct outer ears and eyelids
 
How do I set up my leopard gecko’s home?
Leopard geckos originate from the desert, so naturally, they love a warm, dry environment. But they also need a hiding place that’s moist and lovely—this is where they retreat to when it's time to shed their skin. Up to three leopard geckos can live in the same terrarium—but only one should be male.
Terrarium
 
You’ll want to keep your leopard gecko in a well-ventilated terrarium with a screened lid. Start with a ten gallon tank. If you’re getting three geckos, think about increasing your tank size.
 
Temperature and humidity
Keep your leopard gecko’s habitat toasty, like the warm climate he comes from. You should have a warm side and a cool side of the tank, and let him decide the area he likes best. To do this, put a heat light on one side of the habitat, and measure the temperature with a thermometer at each end.
You’re aiming to keep the terrarium between 85 and 95 degrees F (29 to 35 C) on the warm end, and ten degrees lower on the cool side. It’s also worth getting a hygrometer, to make sure humidity remains in that 10% to 30% range, which geckos prefer.
 
Lighting
Geckos require 12 hours of visible light a day. If you want to see what they do under cover of darkness, pick up a night-specific bulb. Then you can see what your reptile pals are up to without disorienting them with a bright light at night.
 
How do I set up my leopard gecko’s home?
Use a layer of calcium sand (substrate) 2 to 3 inches deep (5 to 8 cm) or reptile carpet. For geckos shorter than 6 inches (15 cm), use reptile carpet—these guys are so small they might accidentally swallow the sand, which is bad for them. Scoop the waste at least once a week, and change all their bedding at least once a month.
Lizards like to play hide and seek, so your leopard geckos will thank you for placing a rock, branch or other hiding place on the cool side of the habitat. One hiding spot per gecko is a good rule. Use rocks and branches to make your reptile friends a desert playpen. Putting some moistened moss in their hide house will help when they’re ready to shed their skin. Mist the moss periodically with a spray bottle of water to keep the humidity higher inside their hide house.
 
How can I keep my leopard gecko healthy?
It’s a good idea to have a veterinarian examine your leopard geckos shortly after you get them. When you first bring them home, don’t handle your new leopard geckos for three or four days—they need to get used to their new surroundings. Keep a close eye on them, in case moving in has stressed them out or caused them to get sick. Even a settled-in lizard can get sick. It’s probably a good time for a check-up at the vet if you notice these symptoms:
Hiding more than usual
Eating or drinking less; even losing weight
Swollen joints
Discharge from the eyes, nose or mouth
Discolored skin and noticeable shedding problems
Droppings that are runny for more than two days
If you have questions about the health of your reptile, talk to a PetSmart store associate, or a veterinarian familiar with reptiles.