A Popular Pet Reptile
Leopard geckos are a popular choice for pet owners seeking a reptilian companion. They are small, relatively easy to care for, and can live up to 20 years if cared for properly.
Leopard geckos are also known for their friendly personalities and unique behaviors, making them a favorite among reptile enthusiasts. There are many reasons why someone may choose to have a leopard gecko as a pet.
Some may be drawn to their beautiful patterns and colors, while others appreciate their low-maintenance needs. Regardless of the reason, leopard geckos have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their adaptability to captivity.
The Importance of Understanding Different Types of Leopard Geckos
While all leopard geckos share basic characteristics such as physical appearance and habitat preferences, it is important to understand the different types of leopard geckos in order to properly care for them. Each type has specific needs that must be met in terms of diet, housing requirements, and potential health concerns.
Furthermore, understanding the different types of leopard geckos can also help pet owners choose which type they would like as a companion. Some may prioritize certain physical traits or genetic mutations over others when selecting their new pet.
In addition, understanding the different types of leopard geckos can also aid in breeding programs aimed at producing specific morphs or designer strains. By being aware of these distinctions, breeders can make informed decisions when selecting breeding pairs.
In this article, we will explore the different types of leopard geckos including Wild-Type Leopard Geckos, Morph Leopard Geckos, and Designer Leopard Geckos. We will discuss each subtype’s unique characteristics including its physical appearance and traits that distinguish it from other subtypes as well as what type of care they require so you can make an informed decision about which leopard gecko is right for you.
Basic Characteristics of Leopard Geckos
Physical Appearance and Size
Leopard geckos are small reptiles that range in size from 6 to 9 inches (15-23 cm) and weigh between 50 to 100 grams. Their body is covered with small bumps or scales, which give them a rough texture.
Leopard geckos come in a wide range of colors, including yellow, orange, brown, and white. One of the most striking features of leopard geckos is their eyes.
They have large, round eyes with vertical pupils that help them see in low-light conditions. These eyes are also capable of detecting movement from very far away.
Leopard geckos are sexually dimorphic, meaning that males and females have different physical characteristics. Males have bulging pores on their undersides for scent marking and fighting other males over territory or females during mating season.
Natural Habitat and Behavior
Leopard geckos are native to the deserts of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and India. In the wild, they live in rocky deserts where they spend their days hiding in rock crevices or underground burrows to avoid the harsh daytime heat.
These reptiles are nocturnal animals which means they’re active at night. They hunt insects like crickets and mealworms using their powerful sense of smell.
When not hunting for food or water (which they can obtain from moisture in their prey), leopard geckos prefer to stay hidden from predators like snakes by burrowing into sand or soil. When kept as pets indoors under proper lighting conditions that mimic daylight hours (12-hour day/12-hour night), some leopard gecko owners observe more activity during daylight hours than would be observed outdoors but this is not necessarily true for all specimens as individual behaviors differ somewhat depending on genetic factors.
Leopard geckos can live up to 20 years in captivity if provided with proper care. As pets, they are known for being docile and easy to handle, making them a popular choice for first-time reptile owners.
Types of Leopard Geckos
| Subtype | Color/Patterning |
| Wild | Yellowish-tan background with black spots or bands |
| Normal | Yellowish-tan with black spots or bands |
| High Yellow | Bright yellow with black spots or bands |
| Tangerine | Orange with black spots or bands |
| Jungle | Greenish-gray with black spots or bands |
| Albino | White with red or yellow eyes |
| Blizzard | White with bold black markings |
| Hypo | Reduced melanin, various colors, little to no spots |
| Mack Snow | Light-colored body with dark speckles |
| Super Snow | Completely white |
| Enigma | Unpredictable coloration patterns |
| Eclipse | Completely or almost entirely black with red eyes |
| RAPTOR | Bright orange-yellow coloration with a patternless body/head |
| Patternless | Solid coloration throughout the body |
| Leucistic | Completely white with black eyes |
Leopard geckos are popular pet reptiles due to their docile nature, easy care requirements, and interesting physical characteristics. There are several different types of leopard geckos available in the pet trade, each with unique physical traits and genetic makeup. Understanding the different types is important for anyone looking to own or breed leopard geckos.
Wild-Type Leopard Geckos: Description and Characteristics
Wild-type leopard geckos are the original, naturally occurring form of the species. They have a yellowish-tan background color, with a series of black spots or bands arranged in rows down their back and tail. Wild-type leopard geckos have relatively muted coloration compared to some of the morphs available today.
Common subtypes of wild-type leopard geckos include Normal, High Yellow, Tangerine, and Jungle. Normal wild-types have a more subdued coloration than the other subtypes but still display the signature black spots or bands along their back and tail.
High Yellow leopard geckos exhibit an increased amount of yellow on their bodies compared to normals. Tangerine leopards have an orange hue on their bodies while Jungle leopards have dark spots separated by light-colored stripes.
Morph Leopard Geckos: Definition and Characteristics
Morph leopard geckos are the result of selective breeding for specific physical traits. Morphs often have vivid colors or unique patterns that distinguish them from wild types.
Common subtypes include Albino (lacking melanin), Blizzard (white with bold black markings), Hypo (reduced melanin), Mack Snow (highly reduced melanin), Super Snow (completely lacking melanin). Albino morphs can be pure white with red eyes or yellow-toned depending on how they were selectively bred.
The Blizzard morph is characterized by white scales with bold black markings running along the back, tail, and legs. Hypo morphs have a reduced amount of melanin in their skin which gives them a more pastel appearance than their wild-type counterparts.
Mack Snow morphs have a highly reduced amount of melanin, giving them a light-colored body with dark speckles. Super Snow morphs have no melanin in their bodies whatsoever, making them completely white.
Designer Leopard Geckos: Definition and Characteristics
Designer leopard geckos are the result of genetic manipulation and selective breeding for unique or desirable traits. They can be some of the most expensive types of leopard geckos due to their rarity and unique characteristics.
Common subtypes include Enigma (a fusion between various morphs), Eclipse (completely black or near-black with solid red eyes), RAPTOR (Red-Eyed Patternless Tremper Orange), which is characterized by its bright orange-yellow coloration. Enigma leopard geckos are one of the most unusual types available due to the unpredictable nature of their coloration patterns.
Eclipse leopard geckos are entirely or almost entirely black, with red eyes providing an eerie contrast to their dark scales. RAPTOR leopard geckos are known for their striking bright orange-yellow color, as well as being patternless on both body and head.
Understanding the different types of leopard geckos is crucial when deciding what kind to own or breed. Wild-type, Morph, and Designer Leopard Geckos each offer unique genetics that generates distinct physical characteristics that make these reptiles sought-after pets among hobbyists all over the world.
Rare Types of Leopard Geckos
Leopard geckos come in a variety of colors and patterns, but some are considered rare due to their unique genetic makeup. Two types of rare leopard geckos are patternless and leucistic.
Patternless Leopard Geckos
Patternless leopard geckos lack the distinctive spots or bands that are common among the wild-type and morph varieties. These geckos have a solid coloration throughout their bodies, which can range from shades of yellow, tangerine, or orange to brown or even black.
The patternless trait is considered recessive, meaning it takes two copies of the gene for a leopard gecko to be entirely patternless. When bred with other patternless or het (heterozygous) parents, there is a higher chance that the offspring will also inherit this trait.
Because these geckos lack any patterns or markings, their appearance relies solely on their coloration. Breeders work hard to produce bright and vibrant solid-colored individuals through selective breeding for desired traits.
Leucistic Leopard Geckos
Leucistic leopard geckos are very rare in the pet trade because they lack all pigmentation in their skin, scales, eyes, and claws. This means that these beautiful creatures appear completely white with black eyes.
Unlike albino leopard geckos with pink eyes due to a lack of pigmentation in the iris, leucistics have fully functioning black irises while still lacking any visible pigment on their body. Like other morphs, leucistic leopard geckos are bred through selective breeding techniques by pairing specific individuals together based on desired traits such as size and coloration.
However, producing these animals is difficult since both parents must carry the recessive gene for this trait. Leucistics tend to be slightly smaller than other leopard geckos and require special care, such as a lower temperature range, to ensure they remain healthy.
Conclusion
Rare types of leopard geckos like patternless and leucistic varieties are fascinating creatures with unique genetic traits that set them apart from other morphs. While these rare geckos may be more difficult to come by, their stunning appearance and rarity make them highly sought after by collectors and breeders alike.
As with any leopard gecko, it is essential to understand the specific care requirements for each type before bringing one home. By providing proper housing, nutrition, and attention, you can help ensure your new pet thrives in its new environment for many years to come.
Caring for Different Types of Leopard Geckos
Housing requirements
Leopard geckos are relatively small reptiles, but they still require specific housing needs to remain healthy and happy. Generally, a 10-gallon terrarium is sufficient for one leopard gecko, with an additional 5 gallons needed per extra gecko. The enclosure should have plenty of hiding spots such as rocks and logs to provide the gecko with a sense of security.
Additionally, it’s important to provide a heat source such as an under-tank heating pad or ceramic heat emitter so that the temperature stays between 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and drops down to around 70-75 degrees at night. A thermometer and hygrometer should be used to monitor the temperature and humidity levels in the enclosure.
Feeding habits
Leopard geckos are carnivorous creatures that eat small insects like crickets, mealworms, waxworms, and roaches. It’s important not to feed them anything larger than the space between their eyes since they can choke on larger prey.
Baby leopard geckos should be fed daily while adults can be fed every other day or every few days depending on their size and activity level. In addition to insects, you can also offer them treats like pinky mice or boiled eggs occasionally.
Health concerns
As with any animal, there are certain health concerns that leopard gecko owners should be aware of. One common issue is impaction caused by ingesting substrate material like sand or gravel which can lead to blockages in their digestive tract.
To avoid this problem, it’s recommended that you use paper towels or reptile carpet as bedding instead of loose substrate materials like sand or bark chips. Another health concern is metabolic bone disease (MBD) caused by a lack of calcium and vitamin D in their diet.
This can lead to weak bones, muscle tremors, and eventually death if left untreated. It’s important to dust their food with calcium powder or provide them with calcium supplements to prevent MBD.
Leopard geckos are prone to shedding issues when they molt their skin. If the humidity is too low in their enclosure, it can cause the skin to stick and not shed properly.
To avoid this problem, you can provide a moist hide where they can go during shedding periods. Providing your leopard gecko with proper housing conditions, offering a varied diet of small insects and occasional treats like pinky mice or boiled eggs, and monitoring for common health concerns like impaction or MBD is essential for keeping your pet healthy and happy.
Recap on the Different Types of Leopard Geckos Discussed in the Article
In this article, we have explored the different types of leopard geckos that are commonly found in the pet trade. We started by describing the basic characteristics of leopard geckos, including their physical appearance and natural habitat. Then we delved into three main categories of leopard geckos: wild-type, morph, and designer geckos.
Under each category, we discussed various subtypes with their unique characteristics. Wild-Type Leopard Geckos are the most commonly found type in pet stores.
Their colors range from light brown to dark brown with black spots. The common subtypes include Normal, High Yellow, Tangerine, and Jungle.
Morph Leopard Geckos are bred for specific traits such as color patterns or lack thereof. Albino, Blizzard, Hypo, and Mack Snow are common subtypes under morphs.
Designer Leopard Geckos result from a combination of selective breeding between different morphs to produce more unique patterns and colors such as Enigma, Eclipse, and RAPTOR (Red-Eyed Patternless Tremper Orange). We discussed Rare Types which include Patternless Leopard Geckos which lack spots or stripes on their bodies and Leucistic Leopard Geckos which have pale skin devoid of melanin.
Encouragement to Research Further Before Choosing
Before choosing a leopard gecko as your new pet it’s important to do your research thoroughly especially if you plan on buying one online or from a breeder who may not be knowledgeable enough about them. This will ensure that you provide an appropriate environment for your new pet so it can thrive healthily.
Leopard gecko’s care requirements vary depending on the species you choose to get so it’s important to do research about your preferred type before purchasing one. Knowing their natural habitat and behaviors will ensure that you can provide an environment that is akin to their needs.
One key aspect to consider is the space requirement for your pet as leopard geckos are territorial creatures and need enough space to move around in. It’s also important to pay attention to their diet and any possible health risks associated with owning a leopard gecko.
Choosing a leopard gecko as a pet can be an exciting experience but only when you have done enough research before making the purchase. Understanding the different types of leopard geckos available in the pet trade, their care requirements, and any possible health issues will not only make your job easier but also improve your chances of having a healthy and happy pet.
