The age of a leopard gecko can be determined from the rings in their tail. A line is added to the end of the tail every time they shed, and it takes about three years for a complete ring to form. Other factors that affect growth are hormones, diet and environment. The maximum lifespan for an adult leopard gecko is around 20-25 years with proper care.
Why Leopard Geckos Need Misting.
If you need to know the age of your leopard gecko, you should first ask the person who sold it to you especially if theyâre breeders. Otherwise, the methods described below will come in hand for this purpose.
How old is my leopard gecko?
Itâs not easy to tell the age of a leopard gecko because they donât grow like humans. Their growth and development can be measured in inches per year or millimeters per month.
One way to measure their age is the number of rings on their tail, which will tell you how long itâs been since they molted. You would need to know how many new tail rings there are each time your pet sheds its skin for this method to work correctly.
To determine if your lizard is at maximum size, take measurements from head-to-tail and get an average measurement. If that measurement changes by more than 15% over the course of a year, then make arrangements with your veterinarian about whether or not it needs help shedding that old skin (or, even worse, if your lizard is nearing the end of its life).
How to tell the age of a leopard gecko
Knowing how to tell how old a leopard gecko is aids in the provision of the right diet and other care aspects. While it isnât obvious to tell how old a leopard gecko is, there are some aspects you can use to help determine that. These include the following:
Length
The length of your leopard gecko can help you determine its age. Leopard geckos grow at a rate of approximately an inch every month, so measure your leopard geckoâs length and count the months to see how old it is in comparison.
You will want to round up if it is between two different lengths. For example, if itâs three inches long then they would be about four months old because they may have grown since you last measured them but havenât yet reached that full four-inch mark.
Since leopard geckos drop their tails every now and again, the length of your gecko isnât measured from the nose to the tail. Instead, itâs measured from the tip of their nose to the base of the tail where it connects with the body.
The age of the leopard gecko and its age is as shown in the leopard gecko growth chart below:Age of the gecko Length of males (inches) Length of females (inches) Birth 3 3 1 month 4 4 3 months 5 5 6 months 6 5-6 9 months 7 6 12 months 8 8 7 18 months 10-12 8-10
The average size in females is 24 inches long at about eight months old; males are 22 inches tall on average when they reach adulthood.
Weight
Another factor to base on when it comes to determining the age of a leopard gecko is its weight. Like all other animals, leopard geckos grow throughout their lifetime and as they age, they also grow in weight. The difference between a juvenile leopard gecko and an adult is that, on average, juveniles weigh about 15 grams while adults can be around 30 grams or more.
A typical leopard gecko age chart based on their weight is as follows:Age Weight for males (grams) Weight for females (grams) Birth 2.5 2.5 1 month 10-20 10-20 3 months 20-30 20-30 6 months 30-40 30-40 9 months 40-50 35-45 12 months 55-65 40-50 18 months 60-80 50-70
You canât entirely base on the weight of your gecko to determine its age since weight varies in these lizards. For instance, females will weigh more just before laying eggs and be underweight after that. Leopard gecko shedding skin is also accompanied by a loss in weight. Feeding also affects the weight of the gecko.
Color
The color of your leopard gecko is one of the easiest ways to identify its age. The color will change as it gets older, so knowing what colors you have now can help determine how old your leopard gecko might be.
A hatchling will start out a light-yellow color with black spots all over their body and tail. As they get older, there will be more white color mixed in on the belly area until eventually all that remains are some brown or dark grey markings around their eyes or mouth while everything else turns bright orange.
An adolescent leopard geckosâ colour may vary slightly from an adultâs depending on whether youâre feeding them enough calcium. Generally speaking, theyâll still look different than either a hatchling or an adult because certain parts of their body will remain pale or darker than the rest.
An adult leopard geckoâs color is usually a mix of orange, yellow and brown with some white markings around its eyes. Occasionally, an old leopard gecko can have dark gray spots on its skin that may extend from head to tail â but theyâll still be primarily orange in color everywhere else.
Bands on the teeth
When you look at your petâs head with its mouth open for a few minutes, youâll be able to see bands on his or her teeth that show how old he/she is. These bands help identify each different stage of maturity which include: baby (0-12 months), adolescent (18-24 months) and adult (over 24 months). They arenât, however, an exact science.
How long does a leopard gecko live?
If youâre wondering how old leopard geckos get, then thereâs good news for you the maximum age for leopard geckos is 20 to 30 years. In captivity, their lifespan usually ranges between 15 and 25 years.
It can take up to three or four molts before these lizards reach adulthood. They may also go through periods where they stop growing altogether due to poor health or stress. It takes about three-fourths of a year for leopard geckos to mature from juveniles into adults, and this is when it has completed its last molt.
In captivity their lifespan usually ranges between 15 and 25 years while that of wild individuals can range anywhere from five to 30 years depending on several factors including food availability, population density, predators, parasites and diseases.
The size at which they are born is dependent on the age of the eggs from which they hatch and how long after fertilization that event was. Eggs incubated in an environment with higher humidity will produce geckos that grow larger than those who have been incubated under lower levels of moisture.
This doesnât necessarily mean, however, that all smaller leopard gecko babies are going to be small as adults; it just means they might not reach their full potential for total length because egg size can also affect growth rate during development when compared to other factors like food availability, predator density etc.
Factors that determine the growth of leopard geckos
Leopard geckos donât grow at the same rate. It largely depends on the environment theyâre in and their genetics. This means that a leopard gecko from one person may grow faster than another, even if it is a younger or older relative to other leopard geckos.
Some determine factors for the growth of your leopard gecko include the following:
Size of the enclosure
A leopard gecko needs a large enough enclosure to move around comfortably. This includes a habitat with ample space and an appropriate substrate for your leopard geckosâ needs (most likely sand).
If you have more than one leopard gecko in the same cage, itâs important that they are of comparable sizes. Otherwise, the larger animal will bully or attack the smaller one.
For this reason, you should avoid mixing different types of reptiles together unless theyâre all within roughly the same age range and size groupings. Scorpions, monitor lizards, and other arboreal species can be aggressive when young as well so think twice before housing them together.
A leopard gecko needs at least 20 gallons of space on its own for the best growth rate. Otherwise, itâll feel crowded and stressed.
READ ALSO: Leopard Gecko Tank Mates â What Reptiles Can Live with Them?
Humidity levels
Another aspect that determines the age is the humidity levels in the leopard geckoâs habitat. Leopard geckos are crepuscular animals, meaning they sleep during the day and hunt at night. When theyâre awake, these creatures spend most of their time underground or in water.
If your lizard lives on land, then it needs to access a wet area such as a moist hide box.
Hiding areas
The provision of hiding areas is important for pets that may feel threatened by human interaction, such as petting or being held. The most common way to provide this is with an appropriately sized box or cage furniture made out of materials like cork bark and branches.
These mimic the natural habitat of these animals when they are found in the wild. These items also serve their own purpose as shelter from predators and other harsh environmental conditions.
Leopard geckos do not need protection from temperature extremes because they live primarily outdoors in warmer climates. Many house owners tend to provide hiding areas for leopard geckos regardless of their climate, and this is a good idea when they live in an area which experiences extreme temperatures.
Leopard geckos are nocturnal animals which spend most of the day sleeping, so providing them with a hide box or brick appropriate to their size will allow them to feel safe while sleeping during periods of increased activity by humans such as daytime hours.
Pet owners should always make sure that there are places where these reptiles can get out from underfoot naturally without being trapped in corners or behind furniture pieces because it may cause stress if they cannot escape easily enough.
Parasites
Parasites tend to stress your leopard gecko, which can result in stunted growth. If your leopard geckos have not been checked for parasites, and are showing signs of any illness, you should do so as soon as possible.
When checking the health of a leopard gecko, it is important to check both the droppings and their skin because some parasites (such as mites) will reside on the outside while others (such as worm eggs) may be found inside them.
When something like this is detected early enough, there are medications that can help alleviate these pests from your petâs system with little trouble. The earlier you find out about these problems, the easier time overcoming them becomes.
Diseases
Diseases also affect the growth of leopard geckos. For example, if a leopard gecko contracts an intestinal parasite such as coccidia, then the gecko will not absorb all the nutrients from its food and will be malnourished. This could lead to stunted growth for that particular animal.
The way diseases affect age is through their damage on body tissue or organs which affects how quickly they grow in size or height. Diseases can also cause death so itâs important to know signs of illness in order to take care of your pets properly.
Habitat conditions
The habitat conditions are the most determining factor in how fast leopard gecko grow. Leopard geckos thrive when they are on a diet of live prey, which will provide them with enough nutrients to facilitate their growth.
A healthy habitat is also important for optimal growth because it provides the right environmental conditions and temperature ranges needed by these reptiles so that they can be successful at hunting food, reproducing, etc.
The environment itself plays an important role in the lifespan of any animal species as well as its rate of growth or success during reproduction times. As such, a leopard geckoâs age may vary depending on whether he/she is kept in captivity (which could lead to stunted size) or if she was raised outside her natural environment and then introduced to it.
Maintaining a habitat that is in accordance with the leopard geckoâs natural environment will help them grow and live healthy lives, making their age easier to determine as well.
Temperatures
Itâs important to monitor the temperature of your leopard geckoâs vivarium. The ambient temperature of the room determines how quickly a leopard gecko grows. A temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit is optimal for rapid growth while temperatures below 60 degrees can cause stunted or delayed growth in juveniles and subadults. Temperatures over 80 degrees will result in slowed activity, lethargy, discoloration, and even death if left unchanged.
Substrate
Your gecko needs a substrate to live on. Without it, they cannot get the proper humidity or warmth needed for their environment, and will eventually die. A substrate can be anything from the sand all the way up to Zoo Med Eco Earth with added enrichment such as cork bark chippings, pieces of coconut coir fiber or even small rocks like lava rock or pea gravel.
Substrates that are too coarse may cause irritation around your geckoâs toes and make them more prone to infection.
Coarser substrates also lead to higher chances of impaction (having a hard object lodged in an animalâs digestive tract) because you have less chance of noticing something stuck inside the gecko than if there were leaf litter underfoot where bit of food could get stuck.
The substrate you choose should also be large enough for your gecko to burrow and find comfort in it, but not so deep that theyâll hurt themselves if they fall too far into the bedding while climbing around or hunting food.
Diet
Your geckoâs diet is another thing you should consider when determining his age. In the first year of a leopard geckoâs life, it can grow up to four inches tall and be about as wide. Generally, at this point, your lizard will have had its tail amputated due to the risk of injury from other animals or humans.
As he becomes an adult, between one-to-three years old, theyâll only grow another inch in height but continue growing wider until around six months later when they become sexually mature and stop eating altogether for two weeks while shedding their skin before mating with females who are reaching maturity themselves.
Now that you know how to tell how old your leopard gecko is, focus on providing the best conditions for them in terms of their health and living conditions.
READ NEXT: Best Foods to Feed Leopard Geckos
FAQs
How long have leopard geckos been kept as pets? âș
Although the leopard gecko E. macularius is native to dry and semi-desert areas in Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, and northwest India, these hardy little reptiles have been kept and bred as pets for more than 30 years. They are one of the most commonly kept lizards today.
How old do leopard geckos have to be to tell their gender? âșSexing Leopard Geckos
It is recommended to wait until your leopard gecko is at least six months of age before sexing them. The differences in the undersides of male and female leopard geckos are obvious if you are experienced in sexing leopard geckos or if you have geckos of each sex to compare side by side.
After reaching two months old, they are officially considered juveniles. At this point, most juvenile geckos are around 5 inches long and 15 to 25 grams in weight. They will remain in the juvenile growth stage from 2 months to around 7 months of age.
How long does it take for a leopard gecko to mature? âșLeopard geckos typically reach sexual maturity between 9-18 months old. This is also when their growth rate will slow downâstopping growth at around 1.5 years of age. There are over 100 different morph types of leopard geckos, so it is important to find a reputable breeder.
Will leopard geckos get lonely? âșDo Leopard Geckos Get Lonely? Leopard geckos are not social creatures. Their brains literally lack the parts that are related to social life. If you are not social, you don't need company; and if you don't need company, you can't get lonely.
Do leopard geckos feel pain? âșMany recent scientific studies have shown that reptiles have all of the necessary neurotransmitters and anatomy to feel pain.
Do leopard geckos like to be held? âșKeep in mind that leopard geckos don't particularly like being held. If you get your leo used to being handled when it's young, it probably won't mind when you hold it, but it won't love it either!
Can 2 female geckos live together? âșHousing them together almost always results in them fighting or stressing each other to the point that one is injured, killed, or both are injured or killed. It is not a risk you want to take. Multiple Females Each gecko has its own personality. Some female geckos are okay with being housed with others, some are not.
Can 2 leopard geckos live together? âșIf you own two leopard geckos, or you're thinking about getting another one, housing them in the same tank may seem like a good idea. However, you should be cautious. Two leopard geckos shouldn't always be kept together and you should be particularly careful about mixing genders.
How long do leopard geckos take to get full size? âșAdult size is generally reached by 18 to 24 months. Sexual maturity depends on weight rather than age. Leopard geckos can breed once they reach 35 g.
How old should leopard geckos be to sell? âș
With leopard geckos, there isn't a specific age. In fact, any reptile or snake can only be sold when it is fully able to feed, drink and poo by itself.
How many mealworms should I feed my leopard gecko? âșBaby Leopard Geckos should be fed 5-7 small crickets or mealworms every day until they reach about 4 inches. Larger food should be offered every other day until they become full grown in about 10-12 months. Adults can be fed 6-7 large crickets or mealworms 2 to 3 times a week.
What is the average lifespan of a leopard gecko in captivity? âșA leopard gecko can grow to around 15 to 25 centimetres and live for 10 to 20 years in captivity, so owning one is a big commitment. They prefer to live alone but can become used to being handled if done so carefully.
How long can leopard geckos go without food? âșMany adult leopard geckos can go without food for ten days to two weeks because of the fat storage in their tails. It is completely normal for leopard geckos to go without eating for long periods.
What makes leopard geckos happy? âșHOW TO KEEP YOUR LEOPARD GECKO HEALTHY, HAPPY AND SAFE! mist the hide box substrate daily. provide low level UVB light. As a nocturnal animal, leopard geckos may be adapted to low light intensity, and thus may require lower levels of supplemental UVB light in captivity than many other reptiles.
Do leopard geckos need a lot of attention? âșA leopard gecko makes an excellent pet for many reasons. These colorful creatures are small, have minimal care requirements, and can be left alone for several days if necessary. They are also quiet, don't smell, and don't need a lot of attention.
Can leopard geckos sense emotion? âșConclusion: Can reptiles feel emotion? Yes! Reptiles feel emotion much more than we give them credit for. Just make sure to take the natural instincts and behaviors of your individual reptile's species into account, and avoid the pitfalls of anthropomorphism.
Do leopard geckos cry? âșScreaming or shrieking is a vocalization leopard geckos use when they feel threatened or afraid. It is a high-pitched screeching sound that usually lasts for a few seconds. Generally, leopard geckos scream in this way to startle or scare whatever or whoever they perceive is threatening them.
Can geckos feel lonely? âșSince geckos are naturally solitary and territorial creatures, they do not get lonely if placed alone in a cage or left for some time away from their keeper. They much prefer having their food and heat to themselves rather than sharing it with another gecko.
Can my leopard gecko hear me? âșRemember that leopard geckos and other reptiles have a keen sense of hearing, as they are often desert creatures and are used to quiet environments.
What do leopard geckos do when scared? âș
Stress Waving
Leopard geckos will sometimes wave or shake their tails in favorable circumstances â like when stalking prey, or when courting a female. However, most of the time, waving the tail simply means âStay away.
Leos are semi-desert reptiles that like it warm and dry. The ideal daytime temperatures for leopard geckos are 75° to 85°F (24-29 °C), with up to up to 90°F (32 °C) under the heat lamp. The nighttime temperatures should never drop below 65°F (18°C).
How can you tell a geckos gender? âșChecking if your gecko has pre-anal pores is the most accurate way to determine if they are male or female. Pre-anal pores are a small, V-shaped line of pores just above a male gecko's vent between their legs. While males have very pronounced pores that look like large black or brown dots, females lack them entirely.
What size tank for 2 leopard geckos? âșAs the reptile hobby comes to understand our beloved reptiles better, we are realizing that they need more room than we have been giving them in the past. For these reasons, ReptiFiles recommends that adult leopard geckos be housed in no smaller than a 36âł x 18âł x 18âł enclosure with at least 4.5 sq ft of floor space.
Do leopard geckos need light at night? âșTheir activity often extends into the night, true, but it is not when it begins. Their sensitivity to the time of day means that to maintain a healthy internal clock, leopard geckos require a balanced day (light) and night (darkness) intervals.
Can leopard geckos eat fruit? âșThey also have a skull and jaw that has evolved to eat meat, being smaller and less robust than a herbivores. Some research has revealed that Leopard Gecko's can eat fruit and vegetables, however, as they cannot digest it, it's unlikely that it'll do them any good.
Can leopard geckos see in the dark? âșMost geckos have large bulging eyesâintricately patterned and flecked with metallic hues. And those active after dark have spectacularly sensitive retinas for night vision.
How often do you feed a leopard gecko? âșLeopard geckos feed primarily on live, moving insect prey. An appropriate diet may consist of commercially-raised crickets with smaller numbers of silkworms, roaches, mealworms, superworms, waxworms, and other live insects. Juveniles should be fed every 1-2 days and adults 2-3 times per week.
What hours do leopard geckos sleep? âșSleep Behavior of Leopard Geckos
In fact, leopard geckos sleep for 12 to 13 hours on an average day. However, throughout the night, leopard geckos are most awake and active. Whether dry or humid, geckos sleep curled up in their shelters.
â limited care in the home: For medium length vacations of 1-2 weeks, your gecko can survive without food, though this is not ideal. Your gecko should do well if there is someone who can come in every day or so, provide water and check to make sure the heat is working adequately.
Do leopard geckos like head rubs? âș
No, they tolerate it, but they do not dislike or like it.
Can a gecko bite you? âșIt's quite uncommon for a gecko to bite, but they can if they feel threatened or are being territorial. Since they are quite timid creatures, its more likely for them to run off rather than attack.
How old is the longest living leopard gecko? âșThe leopard gecko is known to live for up to 20 years in captivity. The oldest known leopard gecko was a male who lived until he was 28.
Is a 10 gallon fine for a leopard gecko? âșCan I Keep a Leopard Gecko in a 10-Gallon Tank? As a rule, 10 gallons is the minimum tank size for the Leopard Gecko. A 20-gallon tank would be better. For a juvenile, a 10-gallon tank will work, but an adult needs space to hide, explore and exercise.
How many days can you leave a leopard gecko alone? âșWhile leopard geckos can go one or two days unattended, leaving your gecko alone for a week is not safe. For one, they could run out of food and water. Alternatively, they could overheat or freeze. As such, it's best to get someone to check on them every couple of days while you're away.
Will crickets hurt my leopard gecko? âșWhile crickets cannot seriously harm your leopard gecko, they can spread pathogens or start biting your lizard, which can cause an injury and potentially an infection. Be sure to monitor your leopard gecko's eating habits and feed it as many crickets as it can eat and remove the leftovers after that.
Can you overfeed a leopard gecko? âșIt is possible to overfeed a Leopard Gecko, but less easy to do than with some other reptiles as they don't tend to overeat so readily. Feeding a Leopard Gecko too much food, or too many calories, can cause health issues such as impaction, obesity, and hepatic lipidosis. That's the basic answer.
Are mealworms better than crickets for leopard geckos? âșMealworms Fiber Content
If you have a sick pet or one that does not crunch it's food a few times before swallowing (chameleons, some leopard geckos) - mealworms may be easier to digest. That being said, crickets have a better mineral content, but are pretty high in fiber content.
Do Leopard Geckos Bond with Their Owners? Leopard geckos are friendly and docile, but they can't display affection or develop strong bonds with their owner. They also will not get lonely and do not need company. Instead, they create a physical bond and not an emotional attachment.
What happens when a leopard gecko dies? âșWhen leopard geckos die, their eyes sink in and become unresponsive. If they died with their eyes open, it may even seem like they're staring at you. So if you suspect that a leopard gecko is dead, shine a light in its eyes â if it's alive its pupils will react. Be careful when doing this though.
Are leopard geckos hard to keep alive? âș
Leopard geckos, affectionately called leos, are generally easy to care for. They do not require a lot of cage maintenance, but you should still give their environment a lot of attention. Leopard geckos are mostly nocturnal, ground-dwelling geckos that are generally docile and easy to tame.
Can leopard geckos have lettuce? âșYour leopard gecko most likely won't eat lettuce or other vegetables as they don't like the taste and they can't digest them efficiently. However, you do need to feed your gecko's insect feeders a diet rich in fruits, veggies, and grains for at least 24 hours before giving them to your pet.
Can I take my leopard gecko out every day? âșYes, you can take your leopard gecko outside. However, taking them outside during the daytime hours is not a great idea because they are crepuscular animals. They prefer to be active during the dusk and dawn hours.
How do I get my leopard gecko to drink water? âșOffer fresh water daily in a water dish large enough for the lizard to soak its entire body in. Additional soaks in shallow warm water for 15-20 minutes 2-3 times a week are helpful, especially during a shed. If he will not go into the water on his own, place him in a shallow container 2-3 times a weak to force soak.
How long have geckos been on earth? âșThe geckos first emerged during the earliest days of the dinosaurs, between 180 and 225 million years ago. Since then, they have spread across the world, and many of them have climbed up it.
Are leopard geckos going extinct? âșLeopard Geckos are of least concern on the endangered species list, and thrive in the pet trade where they make a great starter reptile pet!
Are leopard geckos found in the wild? âșFound throughout Asia and the Middle East although primarily located in areas of Northern India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran in arid, mountainous deserts. Leopard Geckos prefer a rocky substrate to a sandy substrate and are almost always found on rocky outcroppings.
Why can't you touch a day gecko? âșDay Gecko Behavior and Temperament
They are generally pretty fragile, and it is not a good idea to handle them since their skin is quite delicate. Handling can stress them out, and as a defensive mechanism, they may even drop their tail.
Geckos sleep for 12 hours daily and are the only lizard group that is primarily nocturnal. 72% of the 1552 described species are active at night. Most ground-dwelling geckos are nocturnal, like the leopard gecko, crested gecko, Madagascan ground gecko, and fat-tailed geckos.
What is the oldest gecko ever? âș- Scientists from Oregon State University and the Natural History Museum in London have announced the discovery of the oldest known fossil of a gecko, with body parts that are forever preserved in life-like form after 100 million years of being entombed in amber.
What killed my leopard gecko? âș
The list of things that could cause that is too long to describe. Substrate impaction, internal parasites, bacterial infection, reproductive problems, protozoal infection and trauma are just a few things that come to mind.
How old are leopard geckos when they are sold? âșFor instance, rabbit breeders cannot sell their young until they're eight weeks of age. With leopard geckos, there isn't a specific age. In fact, any reptile or snake can only be sold when it is fully able to feed, drink and poo by itself.
Do leopard geckos enjoy being held? âșKeep in mind that leopard geckos don't particularly like being held. If you get your leo used to being handled when it's young, it probably won't mind when you hold it, but it won't love it either!