Are Leopard Geckos Endangered? Conservation Status Explained
Current status
Leopard geckos are not listed as endangered on a global scale, though localized habitat pressure exists in parts of their range from human development and agriculture — their status is generally considered stable compared to many more habitat-restricted reptile species.
Why the pet trade is almost entirely captive-bred
Decades of extensive, successful captive breeding since the 1970s–90s mean the overwhelming majority of leopard geckos sold as pets today were bred in captivity, not collected from the wild — this is part of why they're sometimes informally called one of the first truly domesticated lizard species.
Export restrictions
Wild collection and export from range countries has been significantly restricted since around 2000, further reducing what was already a shrinking role for wild-caught individuals in the pet trade.
What this means for buyers
When buying a leopard gecko today, you're essentially never getting a wild-caught animal — captive-bred lineage is the default across the hobby, which also means far more predictable temperament and health history than a wild-sourced reptile would offer.
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A single adult leopard gecko needs a 20-gallon long tank as an absolute minimum, with a 36x18 in (40-gallon breeder) footprint now considered the recommended standard — plus a secure lid, an under-tank heater on a thermostat, a thermal gradient, at least three hides, and a shallow water dish.
Set up in this order: substrate, then heat source wired through a thermostat, then hides and water dish, then decor — and run the whole enclosure for at least 24–48 hours to confirm stable temperatures before your gecko moves in.
Hatchlings can start in a 10-gallon tank or tub, juveniles do well in 20 gallons, and adults need a 20-gallon long as an absolute minimum — with 36x18 in (40-gallon breeder) now the widely recommended standard, not just an upgrade.
Heat a leopard gecko enclosure with an under-tank heater and/or overhead heat source (halogen or deep heat projector) wired through a thermostat — a thermostat is mandatory, not optional, and heat rocks should never be used.
Leopard geckos can survive without UVB using dietary D3 supplementation, but current husbandry guidance now recommends low-level UVB (roughly 2–6% T5) as best practice — it improves D3 synthesis, bone density, and natural behavior, and views on it have shifted significantly from older nocturnal-species advice.
Keep ambient humidity around 30–40% across most of the enclosure, with a dedicated humid hide raised to roughly 70–80% to support smooth, complete sheds.