The act of caring for ones pet, means providing for its needs. With the proper research, time and planning a pet owner becomes more knowledgeable and is better able to provide a Leopard gecko with comfort, happiness and a life without much stress.

The ideal life for a Leopard gecko is one without stress. If threatened, handled roughly, or stressed it can lose its tail. Do not worry. It will fully grow back in about 40 days. Bringing happiness and comfort to a gecko is not difficult and does not have to be expensive. All it needs is a safe enclosure, heat, food and water.

A pet Leopard gecko needs a clean enclosure and the minimum size recommended is a 20 gallon aquarium for one or a few geckos. An aquarium is highly recommended for one can observe the gecko, through the glass, without having to lift it. Lifting it can be stressful for the reptile. When a gecko experiences stress it will eat less and may become weak.

When setting up housing for a gecko, also called a terrarium, set up a 20 gallon aquarium or a larger one. This should be enough to house about 1 - 3 reptiles. Place newspapers or paper towels on the floor of the aquarium. This floor covering is sufficient for the needs of the Leopard gecko. Perhaps, you harbor fears of constantly having to change of the newspaper substrate? You do not need to change the newspaper lining every time the gecko uses the bathroom; so to speak. Whenever a gecko relieves itself the waste matter are solid masses and can just be scooped out of the enclosure.

The gecko needs humid air to help with its shedding of skin. To keep the humidity low you can just get a water spray and spray a corner of the aquarium with a mist of water in the mornings. The Leopard gecko also needs heat. You can place a bulb directly in one corner of the aquarium. He will just move closer to it when he needs more heat; and farther away from it if he needs less heat. Just ensure the bulb does not hang too low for it will burn the skin of the gecko upon contact. Be certain to monitor the temperature inside the terrarium for it must fall between 80-85 Fahrenheit in the day and around 75 degrees at night.

Put a shallow bowl, in the enclosure, for his water and food. Change the water regularly. As for food, Leopard geckos eat live insects. Crickets are a staple food along with meal worms. To save on the cost of food, you can even try raising or catching your own crickets. It is common practice is just to buy a batch, and place a dozen or so inside the aquarium. You can also feed leopard geckos with small pieces of fruit. Do not leave any uneaten food or fruit inside the terrarium for too long. One time per week or as directed, you should dust the crickets or meal worms with powdered vitamins, calcium and minerals. This is done by placing them in a bag with the recommended quantity of calcium, vitamins and minerals.Shake until the crickets become dusted in the powders then put them in the enclosure of your gecko.

These are the basics of caring for a Leopard gecko. As you can see, caring for a one need not be expensive. With the proper research, time and planning a pet owner will become more knowledgeable and is better able to provide for his or her Leopard gecko.