The Leopard Gecko ('Leo') is originally from Pakistan, India and a few other countries in Asia. Leos are terrestrial (they live on the ground) and they are nocturnal (active at night). They prefer temperatures between 82-90 degrees Farenheit, all day and night.They grow between 8-11 inches and are available in a wide range of colours and patterns which are aresult of selective captive breeding ('designer geckos'). Leos make wonderful pets for almost any responsible person and some can live up to 20 years. Leo Housing A male Leo should never be housed in the same tank with another male because they will fight and possibly kill one another. A male can be housed with females without any problems. I do not advise housing Leos in a tank with any other reptiles. A single Leo should be kept in a 10 gallon tank and for a male and a few females a 20 gallon tank (or larger) should be used.
Leos need places to hide and sleep during the day, so you must provide hiding places for them ('hides'). There should be a warm, cold and moist hide in their tank. The warm hide should be placed on the heat mat, the cold hide should be placed off the heat mat, and the moist hide should be placed half on and half off the heat mat. As the Leo moves from warm to cold hides, it helps regulate their body temperature. The humidity in the moist hide helps the Leo shed its skin. Substrate is required in your tank, this is the flooring your Leo will walk about on. I recommend Reptile carpet or paper towels. I do not recommend sand or any substrate with tiny particles as if digested by the Leo it can cause impaction which could make your Leo very ill and even lead to death. Leo Heating and Temperature The tank must be between 82-90 degrees F at all time. To keep a check on the temperature, I recommend a digital thermometer. To heat the tank, I use a heat mat. Your heat mat should cover half of the floor space and it is placed either under your substrate or directly under the tank. Leo Feeding Leos will do very well on a diet of mealworms and crickets. These insects should be gut-loaded and dusted with calcium powder to help with the nutrition of your Leo. There should be fresh water put in the tank every day. Remember if handling your Leo, never grab it by its tail as in defense, they will drop their tail. 
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