RecoveryGeckos
Leopard gecko care guide
Eublepharis macularius
A ground-dwelling, crepuscular gecko from arid grassland. The old 10-gallon recommendation is obsolete — they need floor space, a real gradient and enrichment.
Terrestrial — floor space first
Leopard gecko enclosure size
Terrestrial — floor space first. An adult leopard gecko should live in at least 36" L × 18" W × 18" H; we build toward 48" L × 24" W × 18" H (4 × 2 × 1.5 ft, roughly 8 sq ft of floor and about a 90-gallon glass equivalent).
- Hatchling / baby
- 24" L × 18" W × 12" H recommended · min 20" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Juvenile
- 36" L × 18" W × 18" H recommended · min 24" L × 18" W × 12" H
- Adult
- 48" L × 24" W × 18" H recommended · min 36" L × 18" W × 18" H
Temperature and heating
Overhead halogen creating a warm surface, on a dimming thermostat. Heat mats alone don't warm the body properly.
- Basking / warm surface
- 94–97°F surface on the warm end
- Warm side (ambient)
- 85–90°F ambient
- Cool side (ambient)
- 70–77°F ambient
- Night
- 67–74°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: T5 UVB 5–6% over the warm end (UVI 2–3 at basking). Run lights on a 12–14 hours photoperiod, on a timer, and replace UVB bulbs on the manufacturer's schedule even while they still emit visible light.
Humidity
Target 30–40% ambient. Dry overall with a permanently moist humid hide.
Substrate and depth
Topsoil / play sand mix (no loose calcium sand). Depth: 3–4 in.
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Three hides: warm, cool and humid
- Rocks and low climbing structures
- Shallow water dish
- Clutter and sight breaks
Build list
- 36–48in front-opening enclosure — Space for a genuine warm-to-cool gradient.
- Halogen basking bulb + T5 UVB — Surface heat plus UVB is the current standard of care.
- Digital thermostat — Every heat source must run through a thermostat — unregulated heat burns animals.
- Two digital probe thermometers + hygrometer — Read the warm side, cool side and humidity directly — stick-on dials are inaccurate.
- Topsoil/sand substrate mix — Diggable, dust-free, and safe versus calcium sand.
- Three hides + moss for the humid hide — Shedding problems trace straight back to a missing humid hide.
Leopard gecko FAQ
How big should an adult Leopard gecko enclosure be?
At least 36" L × 18" W × 18" H, and we recommend building to 48" L × 24" W × 18" H — about 4 × 2 × 1.5 ft, or a 90-gallon glass equivalent. Terrestrial — floor space first.
What temperatures does a Leopard gecko need?
Basking or warm surface 94–97°F surface on the warm end, warm side 85–90°F ambient, cool side 70–77°F ambient, night 67–74°F. Overhead halogen creating a warm surface, on a dimming thermostat. Heat mats alone don't warm the body properly.
Does a Leopard gecko need UVB?
T5 UVB 5–6% over the warm end (UVI 2–3 at basking). Photoperiod: 12–14 hours.
What humidity does a Leopard gecko need?
30–40% ambient. Dry overall with a permanently moist humid hide.
What substrate is best for a Leopard gecko?
Topsoil / play sand mix (no loose calcium sand), at a depth of 3–4 in.
How big does a Leopard gecko enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 24" L × 18" W × 12" H recommended, minimum 20" L × 12" W × 12" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own leopard gecko record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.