Gecko
History and way of life
The Gekkota, or more commonly called Gecko, dates back 50 to 60 million years and is thought to be descended from the ardeosaurs of the Jurassic era.
Most geckos are found in temperate or warm countries, often in humid environments (primary forests, tropical rainforests). They are also found in semi-arid environments (the Mediterranean, for example), as well as in deserts. There are also some that live at altitudes of up to 2,000 meters, with sometimes extremely cold climatic conditions.
Geckos are mostly nocturnal and arboreal. However, some are terrestrial or even semi-aquatic. Many geckos have multiple lifestyles, including terrestrial and arboreal as well as nocturnal with activity in the morning or evening.
Specificities:
The Gekkota, or more commonly called Gecko, dates back 50 to 60 million years and is thought to be descended from the ardeosaurs of the Jurassic era.
Most geckos are found in temperate or warm countries, often in humid environments (primary forests, tropical rainforests). They are also found in semi-arid environments (the Mediterranean, for example), as well as in deserts. There are also some that live at altitudes of up to 2,000 meters, with sometimes extremely cold climatic conditions.
Geckos are mostly nocturnal and arboreal. However, some are terrestrial or even semi-aquatic. Many geckos have multiple lifestyles, including terrestrial and arboreal as well as nocturnal with activity in the morning or evening.
Specificities:
- Geckos are reptiles that shed at regular intervals. Like other reptiles, their body temperature varies depending on external conditions. They have different behaviors to regulate this temperature according to their needs, for example by exposing themselves to the sun to warm up.
- Nocturnal geckos have a vertical slit pupil, similar to cats' eyes, and daytime geckos have a round pupil.
- Most geckos do not have a movable eyelid. The eyes are protected by a transparent scale (like snakes).
- Most arboreal geckos have adhesive lamellae under their toes, which allow them to climb on any surface, including the smoothest. They can walk on a ceiling without any problem. The adhesive force of their pads is so great that a single toe can support the entire weight of the reptile (except in the largest species).
- Many species can make sounds, usually clicking noises or short loud cries. They have very good hearing, superior to that of most other lizards, are also endowed with good eyesight, and generally hunt based on the movements of their prey.
- Size-wise, geckos are small reptiles. The largest ones are just over 30 centimeters long.
Having a Leopard Gecko at Home
Buy a 40-75 L aquarium with a lid, made of glass or plastic. Three geckos can live comfortably in a 75 L vivarium, but do not keep several males together, as they tend to fight. For the bottom of the vivarium, choose flat stones, felt mats or ceramic tiles. You can also use newspapers or paper towels, but you will have to change them regularly, as they get dirty quickly. Never use sand, sawdust or other materials that give off dust, as they can be ingested by the gecko, which is very bad for its health.
Place thermometers on each side of the vivarium to monitor the temperature. It should not drop below 70°F (21°C) at night. To create a warmer area, place an infrared lamp set between 85°F (29°C) and 90°F (32°C) on one side of the vivarium. Leopard geckos need warmth to digest and regulate their body temperature by alternating between warm and cool areas. Do not use a white light lamp, as this will disrupt the gecko's sleep cycle. The temperature should not exceed 95°F (35.5°C).
To keep your gecko comfortable, set up three shelters in the vivarium. Purchase rocky nooks, logs, or other reptile shelters from the pet store for your gecko to hide in or under. Place one shelter in the coolest area of the vivarium, with a damp towel in the shelter to keep the soil moist and your gecko able to regulate its skin moisture; place a second dry shelter in that area; place a third shelter in the warmest area of the vivarium and keep it dry. Also, place a gecko-specific drinking bowl with a low rim so your gecko can drink without drowning.
Live crickets are commonly used to feed lizards. For slow eaters, you can also feed mealworms, silkworms, or waxworms. However, these are very fatty and are best given as a supplement rather than a staple food, so only give them two or three times a week or they may not digest them. Leopard geckos rarely eat dead insects, so you will need to keep them alive in a separate container with holes in them so they can breathe. You can buy insects regularly from pet stores or breed them in a larger container. To add vitamins to your gecko's diet, buy calcium powder and vitamin D for reptiles. Before feeding the insects to your gecko, place them in a plastic bag containing the powder and shake it until the insects are completely covered in the powder, then feed them to your gecko immediately. Before four months, geckos need to eat every day, but after that they can eat every other day. Generally, the gecko should have finished its meal in 10-15 minutes, which corresponds to four to six crickets. Remove any uneaten insects after 15-20 minutes, as they can attack the gecko and damage its skin.
Remove droppings, dead insects and other debris daily to reduce the risk of disease and to avoid attracting aggressive insects. Wash the vivarium with warm, soapy water once a week and rinse off all soap before returning the gecko to its vivarium. When handling your gecko, wash your hands with soap before touching it to avoid transmitting diseases. Guide your gecko in your hand or gently grasp its body before placing it in your hand for support. Never grasp it by the tail, as it may come off as a protective measure. If the tail comes off, discard it and clean the vivarium daily to prevent the tail stump from becoming infected before it heals and a new tail grows back. Do not smoke in the same room as your gecko, especially not while holding it!
Leopard geckos shed about every month, although the exact frequency varies with age. The skin will turn white or gray a day or two before the shed begins. The entire process is safe as long as the shed is shed properly and eaten by the gecko. If the skin clings to the toes, place the gecko in a shallow bowl of warm water and remove the shed with a cotton swab, as leaving it on could result in the gecko losing a toe. Their lifespan can be 3 to 4 years, but averages 13 to 15 years and can be as long as 20 years, so be prepared to care for them for many years.
More from:
Divers