Geckos make fascinating, low maintenance reptile pets that are great for beginners and experienced owners alike. With over 1500 species, geckos come in a huge variety of colors, sizes and personalities to choose from.
If you’re looking for an interactive, docile pet that doesn’t require a lot of space or expensive housing, a gecko just might be the perfect exotic pet for you.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: The leopard gecko, crested gecko, and African fat-tailed gecko are among the best choices for beginner pet geckos due to their calm demeanors, moderate care requirements, and availability.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about picking the right gecko for your family, setting up proper housing, nutrition and feeding, handling and taming your gecko, health and safety considerations, and much more.
Read on to learn what makes geckos such popular reptile pets and how to be the best gecko owner you can be.
Choosing the Right Gecko Species
Leopard Gecko
One of the most popular pet geckos is the leopard gecko. This lizard is a great choice for beginners because it is hardy, docile, and relatively easy to care for. Leopard geckos only grow 6-10 inches long, so they don’t require a huge enclosure.
They are also solitary creatures, so you only need to house one per tank. Leopard geckos have simple dietary needs – they eat live insects like crickets, mealworms and waxworms. With proper care, leopard geckos can live for 6-10 years. Some key tips for keeping these geckos happy and healthy include:
- Use a 20+ gallon tank with a substrate like reptile carpet or paper towels.
- Provide a warm hide box (88-92°F) and a cooler hide box (75-80°F).
- Feed a variety of appropriate-sized insects dusted with calcium powder.
- Provide a shallow water dish.
- Avoid handling your gecko too much, as they are easily stressed.
Crested Gecko
Another fantastic option for beginner owners is the crested gecko. These geckos are a bit more advanced than leopard geckos but are still a manageable pet for responsible new owners. Crested geckos are small, reaching just 6-9 inches in length at maturity.
They have unique crests over their eyes and climb very well, so a tall vivarium is best. Cresties eat a commercial powdered diet along with live insects and some fruits. Since they don’t require live feeder insects as often as leopard geckos, crested gecko care is slightly easier for some owners.
Here are some crested gecko care basics:
- House in at least a 12″x12″x18″ vivarium with plenty of foliage and climbing décor.
- Maintain a temperature of 70-80°F with a mild drop at night.
- Feed commercial crested gecko diet, live insects weekly, and small amounts of fruit.
- Provide branches, leaves, and other furnishings for climbing and hiding.
- Handle gently and infrequently, as crested geckos are easily stressed.
African Fat-Tailed Gecko
The African fat-tailed gecko is another fantastic pet gecko for beginners. These geckos only reach about 8 inches in length and have a somewhat docile temperament. Fat-tails are named for their distinct plump tails, which they can store fat in.
This gives them a slight advantage over other geckos if food is scarce. These geckos require similar care to leopard geckos – the main difference is their need for higher humidity. Some care guidelines include:
- Use at least a 20-gallon tank with mostly substrated flooring to hold humidity.
- Provide a humid hide box in addition to warm and cool hides.
- Use an under tank heater or ceramic heat emitter for supplemental heat.
- Feed a variety of insects like crickets, mealworms, waxworms, etc.
- Supplement with calcium and vitamins.
- Handle minimally as fat-tails are easily stressed.
Other Beginner-Friendly Species
There are a few other types of geckos that can make good starter pets if you find one of the above species isn’t for you. Some examples include:
- House Gecko – Small geckos that thrive in room temperature homes.
- Gargoyle Gecko – Similar care to crested geckos but with more color variations.
- Mourning Gecko – Tiny geckos that eat fruit baby food and insects.
- Gold Dust Day Gecko – Active, colorful geckos that eat gecko diet and nectar.
When researching a new pet gecko, always make sure to read up on their specific care requirements first. While many species are suitable for dedicated beginners, they all have their own unique housing, diet, handling, and other needs.
Purchase from a responsible breeder whenever possible and have your enclosure fully prepared prior to bringing home your new gecko friend!
Gecko Housing and Habitat Setup
Creating an ideal habitat for pet geckos requires careful consideration of several key factors. The enclosure, substrate, temperature and lighting all need to be suited to the specific species and the gecko’s needs in order to keep them healthy and happy.
Enclosure
There are three main options for gecko enclosures – glass tanks, plastic terrariums, or mesh/screen cages. Glass tanks retain heat and humidity well while allowing the gecko and owner to easily view each other.
Plastic cages are lighter and tend to be more affordable, but they scratch easier compared to glass. Mesh cages provide the most ventilation and are easiest to clean, but don’t hold in heat or moisture effectively.
When selecting an enclosure, bigger is usually better to allow ample space for your gecko to move around. The general rule is a minimum of 10 gallons capacity per gecko. The tank should also be escape proof with a secure top or lid.
Be sure to avoid toxic cleaners and delegate cages for gecko use only.
Substrate
Multiple factors need consideration when selecting a substrate – ease of cleaning, ability to hold some moisture, and safety for ingestion. Suitable options include:
- Paper towels – easy to replace and clean
- Reptile carpets – soft and washable
- Calcium sand – some risk of impaction if ingested
- Natural substrates like coconut fiber – holds some humidity
Avoid regular sand, wood shavings, or small particulates which could cause impaction issues if swallowed. Spot clean waste frequently and change out all substrate every 2-3 months.
Temperature and Lighting
Getting your gecko habitat temperature right is crucial to support healthy digestion and immune function. Different species have different ideal temp ranges. For example leopard geckos do best with about 88-92°F on the warm end and 70-75°F on the cool end.
Use an under tank heating pad beneath one side of the tank to create a temperature gradient. Maintain overhead ambient temperatures with ceramic heat emitters or bulbs outside the cage if needed. Use thermometers on each end to monitor the gradient.
At night most species tolerate a temperature drop into the low 70s.
In addition to heat, UVB light exposure also supports a gecko’s health in metabolizing calcium. Recommended exposure times vary by species. Leopard geckos do well with only 12-14 hours per week. With crested geckos results are mixed on whether supplemental lighting makes a difference.
Hides and Decor
Adding hides and decorations provides enrichment and security for geckos within their habitat. Every cage needs a cool, humid hide on one side and a warm dry hide box on the other to allow regulating body temperature.
Other accessories can stimulate natural behaviors – branches and cork bark for climbing, plastic foliage for added cover, a shallow water bowl for soaking. Keep accessories sanitary and avoid sharp edges. Vary layouts periodically to keep the habitat novel and engaging.
By tailoring the gecko cage setup to a specific species’ needs, gecko owners can successfully create a little slice of reptile paradise. Monitoring temperatures, humidity, tank lighting and other habitat factors takes diligence, but the reward comes in observing natural behaviors as geckos thrive.
Gecko Nutrition and Feeding
Juvenile Gecko Diet
Young geckos that are less than one year old require a diet high in insects and calcium to support their rapid growth. Top insect choices include small crickets, mealworms, waxworms, and fruit flies. These should be gut loaded with nutritious foods to boost their vitamin and mineral content.
Dust insects with calcium + D3 and multivitamin supplements 2-3 times per week as directed.
Adult Gecko Diet
Adult geckos over one year old can eat a similar diet to juveniles, focusing on a variety of gut loaded insects like crickets, dubia roaches, silkworms, and hornworms. The size of insects can be larger for adults. Continue dusting with supplements 1-2 times weekly.
Occasionally offer plant-based foods like mealworm beetles, waxworm moths, baby food fruits/veggies, and approved commercial gecko diets.
Supplements
Proper calcium and vitamin supplementation is crucial for geckos to thrive. Using powder supplements labeled for reptiles, lightly coat feeder insects. Rotate between calcium + D3 for proper bone health and multivitamin powders that provide an array of micronutrients.
Never use supplements meant for other animals. Follow package instructions carefully. Excess vitamins can cause health issues.
Water
Provide fresh, clean water at all times in a shallow dish that geckos can access easily. Change water daily. Though geckos get moisture from prey, they will drink water to supplement. Ensure proper humidity in the enclosure so geckos do not get dehydrated. Ideal humidity levels are 50-60%.
Feeding Techniques and Schedule
Most geckos are comfortable hunting live insects, so offer them freely to encourage natural feeding behaviors. Use shallow dishes for mealworms or waxworms. For picky eaters, try waving insects in front of them with tongs. Offer food in the evening when geckos are most active.
Babies and juveniles should be fed daily. Adults can be fed every other day, providing around 8-10 prey items per feeding.
Handling and Taming Your Gecko
Getting Your Gecko Used to Handling
When you first bring your gecko home, it’s important not to handle them too much at first. Give them at least a week to get used to their new environment before trying to handle them. After that, you can start by putting your hand in the tank for 5-10 minutes at a time, a couple times a day.
This will help your gecko get used to your scent. You can also try hand feeding them treats like mealworms to associate your hand with something positive.
Start slow with handling, just lifting your gecko for a minute or two at first. Make sure to support their whole body and don’t squeeze them. The more regularly you handle them, the more they will get accustomed to it. Just 15-20 minutes of handling 4-5 times a week is enough.
Be patient and move at your gecko’s pace.
Picking Up and Holding Your Gecko
When picking up your gecko, approach slowly from the side and avoid coming down from above since this can seem threatening. Gently slide your hand under their belly near their back legs. Carefully scoop up their whole body as you lift. Make sure to support all four legs so they feel secure.
You can let them sit calmly in one hand or have one hand supporting their front and the other supporting their back.
Pay attention to your gecko’s body language when holding them. If they seem stressed with a arched back, rapid breathing, or trying to jump away, put them back in their enclosure. With regular, positive handling sessions most geckos will learn to be comfortable being held.
Common Handling Mistakes
Some common mistakes when handling geckos include:
- Grabbing your gecko by the tail – this can cause them to drop their tail
- Handling them after a big meal – give them 1-2 days to digest first
- Waking them up during the day to handle them – nocturnal geckos prefer to be left alone to sleep during the day
- Letting other pets harass your gecko – keep them safely away from curious cats and dogs 🐱🐶
Geckos are delicate reptiles that require gentle care. By starting slow, being patient, and paying attention to their signals you can build trust and have geckos that enjoy time handled outside their enclosures.
Gecko Health and Safety
Signs of a Healthy Gecko
There are a few key signs to look for to ensure your gecko is happy and healthy. An active, alert gecko is a good sign – healthy geckos will explore their habitat and hunt for food. Clear eyes, no discharge or swelling, indicate good health.
Your gecko’s skin should appear vibrant without retained shed. A properly fed gecko will have a fat tail for storing nutrients. Watch for signs your gecko is eating well and having regular bowel movements.
Of course, every gecko has its own unique personality – a docile temperament is not necessarily a cause for concern.
Potential Health Issues
Like other pets, geckos can be susceptible to certain health problems. Watch for signs of parasitic infections like stick tail disease, which causes weight loss. Respiratory infections may produce discharge from the nose and eyes. Mouth rot shows up as whitish patches in the mouth.
Tail or limb loss, small cuts or abrasions, and retained shed are other issues to look out for. Geckos can also experience health problems related to inadequate nutrition, dehydration, or injury. Additionally, conditions like metabolic bone disease from a lack of calcium cause bone weakness and deformities.
Providing proper care and habitat conditions will help keep your gecko stay healthy.
Preventing Health Problems
The best way to keep your gecko healthy is to focus on disease prevention and proper care. Start with a clean, sanitized habitat with proper heating and humidity. Spot clean messes every day and fully disinfect the tank weekly. Carefully monitor temperatures and humidity levels in the tank.
Provide a balanced, vitamin-rich diet including feeder insects and calcium supplements. Make sure your gecko always has access to clean water. Limit handling to periods when your gecko is awake and alert. Disinfect your hands before and after handling or touching items in the habitat.
Keep their tank away from drafts, direct sunlight, and other pets. Schedule annual check-ups with an exotic pet veterinarian, even for healthy geckos.
Gecko Proofing Your Home
Since geckos are escape artists, you’ll want to make sure your home is gecko-proof. Securely fasten the lid on your gecko’s tank to prevent escapes. Keep cats and dogs out of the gecko’s room. Check clothing, shoes, bags, or bedding before use since geckos can crawl inside.
Install an inexpensive rubber door sweep on the exterior side of doors to block gaps. Put screens on windows and seal any holes in walls. Use a humidifier to keep the room from getting too dry. Keep toilet lids down and watch for geckos near plumbing accesses.
Check curtains and drawers since geckos like dark, enclosed spaces. Knowing where to look will help you locate an escaped gecko quickly!
Conclusion
Geckos really do make fantastic pets for first-time and experienced reptile owners alike. By choosing a docile, beginner-friendly gecko species, setting up proper housing, feeding a nutritious diet, gentle handling, and learning to spot signs of illness, you can have a happy, healthy gecko companion for years to come.
Leopard geckos, crested geckos, and fat-tailed geckos are all excellent starter geckos. Provide an appropriate sized enclosure with hiding spots, a substrate that holds humidity, and a heat gradient. Feed juveniles insects like crickets and mealworms daily, transitioning adults to a diet of mealworms, crickets and fruit mixes.
Handle your gecko gently and frequently to socialize it. Monitor for weight loss, lethargy or other signs of health issues. With their minimal care requirements and engaging personalities, pet geckos offer reptile lovers an interactive, low-maintenance friend.