Leopard Gecko
(Eublepharis macularius)

Range: Middle East

Habitat: Desert

Diet: Insects

Identification: Medium-sized (6-8 inch long) geckos with broad heads, yellow and brown splotches and bumpy skin.

Notes: Leopard geckos are popular pet lizards due to their small yet handleable size, attractive appearance, and relatively low-maintenance care. Although they are a better choice than most exotic pets they are still not the best choice for most people. These geckos have also been bred to produce variable color morphs (the non-traditional colors sometimes cost more). Due to their relatively cheap price tag leopard geckos are sometimes neglected by pet stores. Look for healthy (non-emaciated, non-gasping, fat-tailed, non mucous-ridden) individuals. Leopard geckos are capable of autotomy, or the dropping off of a body part (in this case their tail) as a distraction for predators. Leopard geckos are named for their yellow and brown mottled appearance. This does, however, put undue stress on the animal and the re-grown tail never looks quite the same and is less attractive. They are mainly nocturnal by nature (it is hot during the day in the desert), though pets will sometimes move during the day. They spend much of the day hiding. Leopard geckos can live for well over a decade if cared for properly. This species, like many geckos, is fond of crickets. These crickets need to be gut-loaded (fed nutritional supplements so the gecko gains the nutrients). Male leopard geckos are larger than females. Geckos are known for their ability to lick their own eyes (they lack eyelids), and the ability to climb vertical surfaces thanks to their toe pads (which allow for van der waal’s force to occur between the gecko and the surface). Leopard geckos are not that kind of gecko, they are called False geckos, or Eublepharine geckos. They have eyelids and no toepads.

At The Children’s Museum: The Children’s Museum has a trio of leopard geckos living in the UTC Wildlife Sanctuary.