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Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. The Leopard Gecko, Eublepharis macularius, is one of the most popular of all reptilian pets, and much has been written on its care and breeding. But this lizard’s other side – how and where it lives in the wild – is less familiar.
Classification
First a bit on where the Leopard Gecko fits in among other lizards, and the species to which it is related.
Along with over 1,050 other species, Leopard Geckos were originally classified in Gekkonidae, the largest lizard family (please see article below). Today they are placed within their own family, Eublepharidae, along with relatives such as the Fat-Tailed and Banded Geckos (please see photo). Certain other family members are also commonly referred to as “Leopard Geckos” (i.e. the Vietnamese Leopard Gecko, Goniurosaurus araneus).
In addition to the Leopard Gecko, the genus Eublepharis contains 4 closely related species, the Dusky Leopard Gecko (at 10 inches in snout-vent length, the largest), the East Indian Leopard Gecko, the Iraqi Eyelid Gecko and the Turkmenistan Eyelid Gecko.
The Leopard Gecko’s Latin name is Eublepharis macularius. Five subspecies have been identified, but not all herpetologists are in agreement on this. Most of the Leopard Geckos in the pet trade today came from animals originally collected in Pakistan.
Comparison with other Geckos
The Leopard Gecko and its relatives are the only geckos to have movable eyelids. The genus name means “true eyelid” while the species name translates as “spotted”. In all other geckos, the eyelids are fused into an immobile, transparent cap known as the spectacle. As in snakes, the eyes thus remain permanently open.
Also unique is the Leopard Gecko’s lack of adhesive foot pads, known as lamellae. Lamellae enable other geckos to perform such feats as climbing glass and running upside-down on ceilings. Herpetologists believe that these microscopically-grooved pads would not be effective in the dry, dusty places inhabited by Leopard Geckos.
Leopard Gecko ears are unusual in their alignment…at the right angle, you can look in one ear and see right through to the other side of the gecko’s head!
Range and Habitat
The Leopard Gecko is found in Southeastern Afghanistan, Western India, Pakistan, Iraq, and Iran, where it frequents semi-deserts and arid grasslands.
Leopard Gecko habitat is characterized by sandy-gravel, rocks, hard clay, coarse grasses and drought-resistant shrubs (please see photo). The lizard’s bumpy, spotted skin, which stands out so well in captivity, provides excellent camouflage against the substrates of its natural habitat. These are harsh lands, where food and water may be unavailable for months on end…perhaps the Leopard Gecko’s adaptation to such extremes explains its hardiness in captivity.
Widely fluctuating temperatures are typical. In the Peshawar region of Pakistan, for example, winter temperatures average 41-59 F but soar to 104 F or more in the summer. While captive Leopard Geckos generally remain active year round, wild specimens become dormant during the colder months.
Diet and Enemies
Leopard Geckos prey upon a wide variety of invertebrates, and store fat within the tail. Included in their diet are some quite formidable creatures, such as large spiders, scorpions and centipedes. Smaller lizards and perhaps nestling rodents may be taken on occasion.
Foxes, snakes, monitor lizards, owls and the large invertebrates mentioned above are the Leopard Gecko’s most likely predators, but field research is lacking.
Conservation
Almost nothing is known of the status of Leopard Gecko populations; political instability and military conflicts are likely to prevent field research for the foreseeable future.
Please check out my posts on Twitter and Facebook. Each day, I highlight breaking research, conservation news and interesting stories concerning just about every type of animal imaginable. I look forward to hearing about your interests and experiences as well, and will use them in articles when possible.
Please also post your questions and comments here…I’ll be sure to respond quickly.
Thanks, until next time,
Frank Indiviglio
Further Reading
A list of all species in the family Eublepharidae and their ranges is posted here.
Gecko Overview: interesting facts and figures
Feeding Leopard Geckos
Female and Juvenile Leopard Gecko (banded) image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Jerome66
Its strange how common these guys are and yet we dont really know that much about them in the wild!
Hello Mike, Frank Indiviglio here.
Thanks for your interest in our blog. I like to focus on natural history of animals that are well-known in captivity; give a better understanding of captive needs as well.
Please let me know if you need any further information. Good luck, enjoy and please keep me posted.
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.
wow, i have a leopard gecko and thought i knew everything about him. apperently not! so i think it’s fascinating how we think of them as helpless pets, but they can survive for 20 years in the desert! so thanks frank, now I really know more about my gecko.
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here.
Thanks for your interest and the kind words. I understand…they seem small, slow etc. But then when you consider that they have been around for eons, long before us, in a harsh environment – well, they must be doing something right! Here’s a link to a book I wrote on their natural history and care; you may be able to find it in your library as well.
Please let me know if you need any further information. Good luck, enjoy and please keep me posted.
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.
Hi Frank,
I quite enjoyed your article regarding the leopard gecko and its behaviors in its native habitat. You have listed some great information that is not readily available in other sources. A simple search for “leopard gecko”, while pulling up thousands of articles, usually has relatively similar information. I haven’t seemed to be able to find any information regarding how males behave around a gravid female or harem of females.
In carefully observing my current gravid females, I have noticed that my male “stands guard” outside each females lay box until she has completely finished the process. I would love it if you could provide some insight or just some more information if you have time.
I seem to learn something new about my leos every day!
Thanks,
Kia
Hello Kia
Thanks for the kind words. I’m glad you found the article useful. An understanding of a species’ natural history is critical to keeping it properly in captivity. We know very little about many that are quite common in captivity; those that tend to do well, such as leopard geckos, are often ignored by field researchers. There is not much known about male-female interactions in the wild, for example, so your observations could be very useful.
Lessons learned with common species may also be applicable to the conservation of their rare relatives – leopard geckos are a prime example. Especially with herps and invertebrates, the new discoveries often come from hobbyists.
I’ve not read of guarding behavior in leopard geckos, but it is very possible. Body fluids released during egg-laying could very well attract the male’s attention; the question s whether he is investigating or actually providing protection. It would be very useful for you to take careful notes, and perhaps even experiment a bit, disturbing him when he is “on guard”.
In recent years, we’ve made some surprising discoveries concerning social behavior in lizards; in fact, male Rosenberg’s Monitors have been found to assist in the nesting process; please see this article. You might also enjoy these articles on social behavior in Great Desert Skinks and Prehensile Tailed Skinks.
I subscribe to the professional herp journals and will keep an eye out for any related observations. In the meantime, please let me know if you need any further information.
Good luck, enjoy and please keep me posted.
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.
Hi Again,
Thanks for responding so quickly. I had actually thought a little about recording my observations. By trade I am a psychologist and am familiar with the scientific experimentation process. You’ve actually inspired me to keep a log of Buddy (my male) and his behavior.
I have one male and two females in this group. With both females he stood on top of the box (I have a large plastic container with a hole cut in the lid) and did not move from the time my females go in until they finish laying their clutch, however long that may be. When he is removed from his perch he becomes visibly and audibly upset, as he makes the screeching noise babies make when you are first training them to be held.
I have had other reptiles (snakes) off and on for a few years but have just recently discovered my love for leos. I began volunteering at a reptile store near where I live and found them to be so inquisitive! This is my first breeding season, so I will need to observe other mating behavior before I can determine if this happens frequently or is just a fluke with my male.
Thanks so much for your great advice. I will let you know what I discover…I’m sure Buddy has a lot to tell me!
Kia
Hello Kia,
Thanks for the feedback; always useful to bring other skills to bear (I took a detour as an attorney for awhile).
Sounds very promising; I’ll send you a note if I turn up any relevant studies. I look forward to hearing more.
A red/black night viewing bulb may be useful for observing them after dark.
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.
My name is Caitlynn. I am a middle school student in Newburgh, Indiana. I have a Leopard Gecko and a Crested Gecko. I am currently doing research on my Leopard Gecko for my schools science fair project. I have some books on the Leopard Gecko in general, but I am needing some more detailed information. My teacher has told us that a good source of information is to contact specialists. I was wondering if you could help me?
For my project I am testing “Can Leopard Geckos see different amounts of movement in light conditions low enough where human’s cannot see?” The following are some questions I have:
First, is there somewhere I can get a diagram or pictures of a Leopard Geckos eye showing the different parts? I want this for my main display board, so I can accurately draw a picture of the eye and show the different parts.
Second, how sharp is their sense of sight?
Third, exactly how do their eyes function, so that I can explain how they are different?
Fourth, can they see color?
I would appreciate any help you can give me. Thank you in advance for your expertise!
Caitlynn
Hi Caitlynn,
The best source for a diagram of a lizard eye would be a herpetology textbook; most libraries will carry or can order via inter-library loan. You will not likely find a drawing of a leopard gecko’s eye specifically, but another nocturnal lizard will provide a general idea.
You picked an interesting topic, as the eyes of nocturnal geckos are unique. There hasn’t been much work on leopard geckos as far as I know, but most of the information in this article applies to them. Unlike many nocturnal reptiles, it seems that they do see color; it also discusses eye function.
In general, their vision is thought to be sharp, as they need to catch live, fast-moving insects at night. They also seem to detect non-moving food items (unlike some reptiles) but the sense of smell may also be involved in this.
Please let me know if you need further information, enjoy and do well, Frank
dear,
kindlly i want a Leopard Geckos in 300 or 500 Gram wight. where i find it, urgently
.
Hello,
Please check this list of Leopard Gecko breeders.
I hope all goes well, Best, Frank
in this: Leopard Gecko breeders. all are below than 85 grams. kindly i want abou than 300 gram.
Hello,
Unfortunately that link is the best source I know of. However, you might try posting on GeckoForum.
Best, Frank