Many keepers wait a short period after feeding, often at least 24-48 hours, before handling to reduce the risk of regurgitation
Handling too soon after a large meal, particularly for younger or smaller geckos, can increase stress-related regurgitation, so spacing handling sessions away from feeding times is a common precaution.
See the full facts guide, or browse all 593 info pages.
Most active at dawn and dusk when temperatures in their native Pakistan and Afghanistan are ideal.
A widespread misconception is that the tail acts like a camel's hump storing water.
Autotomy — voluntary tail shedding — is a defence mechanism.
Unlike most gecko species which use van der Waals forces to climb smooth surfaces, leopard geckos have conventional claws.
The moveable eyelid is unusual among geckos.
Hold your gecko up to a light source and look through one ear opening — you can see light through the other side.