Binghamton Zoo Animals

Leopard Gecko

(Eublepharis macularius)
Order: Squamata
Family: Geckonidae
Genus: Eublepharis
Species: Eublepharis macularius

HABITAT AND RANGE: The Leopard Gecko lives in dry, semi-arid regions and deserts. They favor rocky areas with plenty of crevices for hiding. They live in Afghanistan, Pakistan and into northwestern India.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: This Gecko measures 8-10 inches long, with slightly less than half of that length accounted for by its tail. It has a broad, flat head and large ear cavities. As with many lizards, a light shown through one of its ear openings can be seen shining through the other. The scales are rough, with numerous “warty” bumps on the neck and body. Adults are typically covered with chocolate-brown spots on their back and sides. Some individuals will have brown bands interspersed with the spots, making them appear very similar to the North American Banded Gecko. Two background colors, or “color phases”, are commonly seen beneath these spots. In “normal” or “tan” phase Leopard Geckos, the ground color is tan or golden with lighter bands of the same color across the back and tail. Geckos showing the “yellow” phase typically have alternating yellow and purple bands beneath the brown spots. Hatchlings and juveniles are more vividly marked than adults, having alternating broad brown and yellow or tan bands across the back and black and white rings on the tail. As they mature, the brown bands break up into the spots for which the lizard gets its name.

There is sexual dimorphism in this species, making it easy to tell males from females. Males are generally larger, having broader heads and thicker tails, in which bulges clearly indicate the presence of hemipines. In addition, males have a V-shaped series of pre-anal pores, located on their underside, just in front of the cloaca. These pores are clearly visible in males and will often secrete a waxy substance.

ADAPTATIONS: Leopard Geckos have adapted well to life in arid habitats. They are nocturnal, spending the hot days in cool burrows underground or in rock crevices. They rarely venture out to bask and raise body temperature during the day. Instead, they absorb heat from the ground and rocks as they forage for insects at night. These lizards can, in fact, withstand remarkably cold nighttime temperatures while still remaining active. They are insectivores, stalking their prey like cats, while slowly lashing their tail from side to side. The prey, which may be nearly the size of its head, is swallowed whole. Another adaptation that helps the Gecko survive is its ability to store nutrient-rich fat in its tail for times when food is scarce. Unfortunately, some of this fat reserve may be lost if the gecko is seized by the tail. Like many other lizards, it has the ability to “drop” or lose part of the tail in order to escape predation. The tail comes off at specific junctures where the vertebrae are not solidly linked together. Like perforated paper, the tail is made to separate in these places. Once lost, the tail will be slowly regenerated. However, there will be no vertebrae in the new tail segment. Also, like other lizards, Leopard Geckos shed their skin in patches as they grow. Males are aggressively territorial and will fight until one is driven off. Injuries are not uncommon. Females are generally not aggressively and will coexist with little strife.

DIET: They are insectivores, taking any insect that they are able to swallow whole. They will also eat arachnids and other anthropods. In captivity, they will also take newborn mice. At the Zoo, they get mealworms and crickets dusted with vitamins and minerals.

REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT: Breeding may occur at any time from early spring until late summer. Females at peek breeding age and in good condition can produce up to five clutches of eggs per season. Each clutch typically contains two round, white eggs, which the female deposits in a moist chamber, dug into the ground. The eggs are sticky when first laid, but become firm soon after. Unlike eggs laid by true geckos, however, the eggs of the Leopard Gecko remain soft-shelled. They absorb moisture through this soft shell and gain weight as incubation progresses. Like many lizards, the temperature at which the eggs are incubated determines the sex of the hatchlings. At 79 degrees Fahrenheit, virtually all of the hatchlings will be females. At 90 degrees, the majority of the hatchlings will be males, with an occasional female hatchling as well. It is interesting to note that any female hatched at higher temperatures will be very aggressive and will show other male behavior traits. These females rarely breed. Hatchlings emerge from the eggs in 6-12 weeks, with the eggs incubated cooler temperatures taking longer to hatch than those at higher temperatures do. The young tear the soft eggshells open with a pair of small, sharp egg teeth on their snouts and crawl out. Hatchlings are 3 to 3 ½ inches long. They will not feed for the first week of life, living off their yolk reserves. Following their first shed, however, they begin to actively hunt insects. They reach maturity in their second year and will begin breeding soon after.

STATUS IN WILD: They are common in their range, despite their widespread popularity in the pet trade. This is because Leopard Geckos breed readily in captivity and large scale breeding programs have been in progress since the late 1970s and early 1980s. As a result, there has been no further need to export these lizards from the wild when captive-bred specimens are so readily available.