How to Care for Geckos?

Geckos are fascinating reptiles known for their expressive eyes, vibrant patterns, and unique behaviors, making them a popular choice as pets. They are appreciated for their manageable size, diverse species, and relatively simple care requirements, which make them suitable for both novice and experienced reptile enthusiasts. Providing proper care is essential to ensure their health and well-being, including creating an ideal habitat, maintaining a balanced diet, and understanding their specific needs. With the right environment and attention, geckos can thrive and bring years of enjoyment as captivating companions.

Choosing the Right Gecko Species

Selecting the right gecko species is the first step to success. Each type of gecko has unique characteristics and requirements, so understanding their care needs will help you decide which one is the best fit for your lifestyle.

Leopard Geckos are ideal for beginners. They are hardy, relatively low-maintenance, and tolerate handling well. Their calm demeanor and adaptability make them one of the most popular pet reptiles. Leopard geckos thrive in arid, desert-like setups, so they require minimal humidity but do need warm basking areas.
Crested Geckos are an arboreal species, meaning they enjoy climbing. They are known for their distinctive crests running from their eyes to their tails, and their sticky toe pads make them excellent climbers. They require higher humidity (50–70%) and thrive in vertical enclosures with plenty of climbing structures.
Day Geckos are vibrant and active, with bright green and red patterns. Unlike nocturnal geckos, they are diurnal, meaning they’re awake during the day, making them fun to observe. However, they require precise temperature and humidity levels, making them better suited for experienced owners.

Setting Up the Perfect Habitat

Creating a comfortable, safe, and naturalistic habitat is crucial for your gecko's wellbeing.

Tank Size: The enclosure size should accommodate your gecko’s activity level and size. For a single gecko, a 40–75 liter tank is sufficient, but larger tanks are always recommended to allow for climbing and exploration. Crested and day geckos benefit from vertical enclosures, while leopard geckos prefer horizontal setups.
Substrate: Choosing the right substrate (flooring material) is essential. Reptile carpet and paper towels are safe options, especially for beginners, as they reduce the risk of impaction. Advanced keepers may consider bioactive substrates with live plants, which create a natural and enriching environment for the gecko. Avoid sand or loose substrates unless you are highly experienced, as they can cause digestive blockages if ingested.
Temperature & Lighting: Most geckos require a temperature gradient in their tank, with a warm side for basking (85°F) and a cool side (75°F). Use heat mats, ceramic heat emitters, or basking lamps to maintain the proper temperature. Nocturnal species like leopard geckos don’t need UVB lighting, but diurnal geckos like day geckos require it to synthesize vitamin D3.
Humidity: Different gecko species have varying humidity needs. For example, leopard geckos prefer dry conditions but need a moist hide to aid in shedding. Crested and day geckos thrive in humid environments, so misting their tank daily and using a hygrometer to monitor humidity levels is essential.

Feeding Your Gecko

A well-balanced diet is key to your gecko’s health.

Staple Foods: Most geckos are insectivores, so their diet consists primarily of live insects like crickets, dubia roaches, and mealworms. Be sure to feed insects that are no larger than the space between your gecko's eyes to prevent choking or digestive issues.
Gut-Loading: Gut-loading refers to feeding the insects a nutritious diet 24 hours before offering them to your gecko. This ensures your pet receives the maximum nutrients.
Supplements: Calcium and vitamin D3 are essential to prevent metabolic bone disease (MBD), a common health issue in reptiles caused by calcium deficiency. Dust your gecko’s food with a calcium supplement 2–3 times a week and a multivitamin once a week.
Hydration: Always provide fresh, clean water in a shallow dish. Crested geckos may not drink directly from a dish, so misting their enclosure regularly provides them with droplets they can lick off leaves or tank walls.

Handling and Interaction

Geckos are delicate creatures, so handling them requires patience and gentleness.

When you first bring your gecko home, give them time to adjust to their new environment before attempting to handle them. This period can take a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the individual gecko’s personality.

When handling, always approach your gecko calmly and avoid sudden movements. Scoop them up gently from below, supporting their entire body. Never grab or restrain them by the tail, as some geckos, like leopard geckos, can drop their tails as a defense mechanism. This process, called tail autotomy, is natural but stressful for the gecko.

Common Health Concerns

Like all pets, geckos can face health challenges, so it’s important to monitor them closely for signs of illness.

Shedding Problems: If a gecko struggles to shed its skin completely, it may have retained shed around its toes, tail, or eyes. This can cause circulation problems or infections. Providing a humid hide and monitoring the shedding process can help prevent these issues.
Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD): This is a serious condition caused by calcium or vitamin D3 deficiency. Symptoms include weak limbs, a rubbery jaw, or difficulty moving. Regular supplementation and proper UVB exposure can prevent MBD.
Parasites: Symptoms of parasites include weight loss, diarrhea, or lethargy. If you notice these signs, consult a reptile veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.

Enrichment for Happy Geckos

A bored gecko is not a happy gecko. Adding enrichment to their environment keeps them physically and mentally stimulated.

Climbing Structures: Crested and day geckos love to climb, so include branches, vines, and cork bark in their enclosure.
Hides: Provide multiple hiding spots on both the warm and cool sides of the tank. Hides give your gecko a sense of security and a place to rest.
Live Plants: For bioactive setups, include non-toxic plants like pothos or snake plants. They not only look great but also help maintain humidity.

Lifespan and Commitment

Geckos are long-lived reptiles, with lifespans ranging from 10 to 20 years depending on the species. This makes them a long-term commitment, so ensure you’re prepared to care for them for the duration of their life.

Regular feeding, habitat maintenance, and occasional veterinary visits are all part of owning a gecko. However, the joy of watching their unique behaviors and forming a bond with them makes the effort well worth it.

Caring for geckos is a rewarding experience that offers the opportunity to observe their unique behaviors and build a connection with these fascinating reptiles. By providing a well-maintained habitat, a nutritious diet, and proper care, geckos can thrive and lead healthy, fulfilling lives as pets. Whether it’s watching their curious exploration or simply enjoying their calm presence, geckos bring a sense of wonder and joy to any home. With commitment and attention to their needs, these remarkable creatures can become lifelong companions, offering a glimpse into the captivating world of reptiles.

At Promeal, we know how important it is to give your pets a healthy and varied diet. That’s why we create high-quality, natural pet food to keep them happy and healthy.

Our specialty is premium live and dried insect-based feeds like mealworms, superworms, crickets, roaches, waxworms, and hornworms. These insects are grown on an organic diet, making them a nutritious and tasty treat for your pets.

Check out our "Shop" section to find the perfect food for your pets!