People who have not learned about geckos in depth may feel unfamiliar with them. After all, the word "gecko" sounds quite mysterious at first. However, the history of these two words can be traced back to ancient times, when the word "palace" was just a general term for houses. Because geckos often appear between walls and feed on mosquitoes, their posture of guarding their homes has won people's admiration and respect, so they are named "geckos".
People who have not learned about geckos in depth may feel unfamiliar with them. After all, the word "gecko" sounds quite mysterious at first. However, the history of these two words can be traced back to ancient times, when the word "palace" was just a general term for houses. Because geckos often appear between walls and feed on mosquitoes, their posture of guarding their homes has won people's admiration and respect, so they are named "geckos".
Leopard geckos, also affectionately called leopard geckos or leopard lizards, are named after their unique and charming patterns on their bodies. They are surprisingly similar to leopard patterns, adding a bit of mystery and charm to this reptile.
Leopard geckos, this unique and charming reptile, have an interesting history of discovery behind them. In 1854, British zoologist Edward Bryce first discovered this gecko and named it "Eublepharis macularius", which means "gecko with eyelids with spotted markings". The "eyelids" part of this name is a detailed description of the unique characteristics of leopard geckos. So why do we emphasize this feature? Let's find out.
Compared with common geckos, such as the warty gecko, the leopard gecko is indeed significantly different in shape. The most eye-catching feature is the unique leopard-like pattern on its body. But in addition to this, they also have a special structure - eyelids. This feature makes the leopard gecko unique in the reptile world, adding a bit of mystery and charm.
Their eyes cannot be closed and always remain open, so they can only lick their eyes with their tongues to keep their eyes moist and clean.
Leopard geckos are different. They have the natural ability to open and close their eyes without any restrictions, and can even show charming eyes.
- Breeding environment
The healthy growth of geckos is first of all inseparable from a suitable living environment.
Leopard geckos prefer a quiet environment, so the size of the breeding box can be large enough for them to move freely. In the box, food bowls, water bowls and hidden shelters should be equipped to ensure the comfort and safety of the gecko. For bedding, it is recommended to use kitchen paper or large-grained and non-toxic bedding to prevent accidental ingestion.
At the same time, maintaining a suitable temperature is also key. Leopard geckos are suitable for growing in an environment of 26℃ to 30℃, so a temperature-adjustable heating lamp can be installed if necessary. In addition, dryness and ventilation are also indispensable breeding conditions, and must be taken seriously.
- Feeding
Leopard geckos prefer to eat insects, and usually only choose live insects as food, such as mealworms, barley worms, crickets and cockroaches. These live foods provide them with rich protein. You can easily buy these live insects in flower and bird markets or on the Internet.
When feeding, there is no need to feed too frequently, just feed once every 2 to 3 days. At the same time, in order to ensure the balanced nutrition of the geckos, the diversity of the diet should be ensured as much as possible, and attention should be paid to supplementing calcium and vitamins to prevent nutritional deficiencies.
- Diseases
① Too thin tail
As mentioned earlier, the tail of the leopard gecko has the important function of storing fat, so its tail should be thick and strong. If you find that the tail of a gecko is abnormally small, this may be a warning sign, suggesting that the gecko may be suffering from a disease. Factors such as poor breeding environment, unbalanced nutrition intake and excessive stress may cause the gecko to refuse to eat, which may last for up to 2 to 3 months. Over time, the gecko's activities will become sluggish, and the thinness of its tail will increase until its body becomes extremely thin and eventually dies.
② Watery or bloody stools
If a leopard gecko has watery or bloody stools, it usually indicates that it has gastroenteritis. The causes of gastroenteritis may include poor breeding environment and unclean food. It is worth noting that gastroenteritis is highly contagious, so if there is more than one gecko in the breeding environment, it must be isolated and treated in time.
③ Vitamin and calcium deficiency
A small number of leopard geckos may suffer from metabolic bone disease due to lack of vitamin D3 and calcium, which not only affects the formation of female gecko egg shells, but also hinders their bone development during the growth of the young, leading to complications such as collapse, body deformity and tremors, and refusal to eat. However, breeders do not need to worry too much. As long as they provide a suitable breeding environment and ensure that the food is nutritionally balanced, they can effectively prevent the occurrence of these diseases.
