All Types of Geckos

~Having a gecko as a pet is a lot different from keeping a dog or a cat. Reptiles are cold-blooded, egg-laying creatures. They need to be warm all the time and constantly regulate their body temperature. They feed on insects, and are mostly nocturnal. Nevertheless, geckos make fantastic pets, and it is quite easy to take care of them.

~If you are planning to tame a gecko, you will need a terrarium; the size will differ as per the type of gecko you wish to buy. For a regular leopard gecko, an ideal terrarium would be of 10 gallons. You need to use some substrate material for the flooring (coconut husk, moss, orchid bark, cypress mulch, etc.), depending on the type of your gecko.

~Reptiles need constant heat, and your gecko will need some too. An under tank heat pad is the best option, or even a nocturnal red bulb could be used. Be careful to only heat one side of the terrarium, and monitor the heat with a high quality thermometer, as overheating may be fatal to the lizard.

~Give your gecko some space. Create hides, both on the warm side as well as on the cool side of the terrarium, so that it can rest in the daytime. All geckos eat insects, especially crickets, meal-worms, and wax-worms. Remember that its prey should not be bigger than the width between its eyes.

~Geckos are exotic pets, so always refer to guides and care-sheets when handling them. Never hold a gecko by its tail. Most geckos will drop their tails in defense. For those which bite, you will need to wear gloves initially while handling them. Geckos, unlike dogs and cats, shouldn't be played with or handled frequently, as they may become aggressive and lunge or bite.