Leopard Gecko

Overall the leopard gecko reaches a length of about ten inches (25.4 cm), and gets its name from the leopard-like spots that cover the bodies of adult animals. Baby leopard geckos hatch with dark transverse bands, which lighten as they grow into the spotted adults. Their general background color is yellow and lavender, although a number of new color phases have arisen through captive breeding.

Leopard geckos are members of the Subfamily Eublepharinae, or the eye-lidded geckos. Many geckos lack eyelids, but the leopard geckos’ are movable, which allow them to blink and close their eyes while sleeping. Toe pads, which other geckos use to climb vertical walls and glass aquaria, are not present in the leopard gecko. They have tiny claws on the end of their toes.

One of the most notable traits about leopard geckos, which has led to their great popularity, is their unusually gentle disposition. It takes a significant amount of provoking before a leopard gecko will bite. Leopard geckos are also not as vocal as other geckos, such as the Tokay geckos.

Leopard geckos are found in Afghanistan, northwestern India, Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq.

Leopard Geckos are popular in the pet world because they are easy to keep, rarely bite and reproduce well. They now come in many other colors as breeders have found ways to morph existing color patterns.