Leopard geckos are growing in popularity as pets, which leads many soon-to-be gecko owners to ask: do leopard geckos have salmonella? If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: leopard geckos can carry salmonella bacteria, although the risk tends to be quite low, especially with good husbandry practices.
In this roughly 3000 word comprehensive guide, we will fully cover questions around leopard geckos and salmonella. We discuss background on salmonella risk in reptiles, specifics around testing, symptoms and transmission, as well as best practices in leopard gecko care and handling to mitigate risks.
Background on Salmonella in Reptiles
Salmonella Prevalence in Reptiles
Salmonella bacteria are commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract of reptiles such as lizards, snakes, and turtles. Studies have shown that up to 90-95% of reptiles may be asymptomatic carriers of Salmonella, meaning they show no signs of illness despite harboring the bacteria.
The most comprehensive study on Salmonella prevalence in reptiles analyzed over 240,000 samples from pet stores, breeders, zoos, veterinary clinics etc. It found Salmonella bacteria in 57% of reptile samples.
Lizards and chelonians (turtles and tortoises) had the highest rates at 67% and 59% respectively while snakes were lower at 27%.
Salmonellae can be shed intermittently in reptile feces and secretions which easily contaminates their bodies, enclosures and anything they come in contact with. The bacteria can survive well in the environment for several months which greatly aids transmission.
Increased Popularity of Leopard Geckos
In recent decades, there has been growing interest in exotic pets like reptiles. Among lizards, leopard geckos have surged in popularity due to their small size, relative ease of care, and docile handling tolerance.
CBP import statistics show that over 2.1 million leopard geckos were legally imported to the US as pets from 2004-2014. An estimated 400,000 to 500,000 hatchling and adult leopard geckos now enter the American pet trade annually from captive breeding operations here and abroad.
Their popularity has earned them a reputation as a good “beginner” reptile pet for first-time or younger owners. However, this has also led to more human exposures to pet geckos and risks of Salmonella infection, especially in children who may have decreased immunity to zoonotic bacteria.
Do Leopard Geckos Have Salmonella?
Reported Prevalence Rates
Salmonella is a concerning bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal issues in both reptiles and humans. There have been some reports of salmonella being found in leopard geckos, but the actual prevalence rates appear to be quite low.
One study tested 300 leopard geckos from a large breeding facility and found salmonella in only 3% of the geckos (reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4526022/). Another study tested 144 leopard geckos at a national reptile show and found a salmonella prevalence of 5.5% (reference: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19094919/).
So while salmonella infection appears to be quite uncommon in leopard geckos, the bacteria has been detected in some populations. Proper handling and sanitary practices should always be followed when interacting with any reptile.
Testing Considerations
There are a few options for testing leopard geckos for salmonella:
- Fecal culture: This test involves collecting a fecal sample and sending it to a veterinary diagnostic lab for culture. It is considered the gold standard for detecting salmonella.
- Cloacal swab: A sterile swab can be used to collect a sample from the cloaca (vent) of the gecko and submit for testing. Less invasive than fecal culture.
- Tank/enclosure testing: Swabbing surfaces in the gecko’s habitat can reveal environmental salmonella contamination.
Routine salmonella testing is not necessarily recommended for all leopard geckos, since prevalence is low. But testing may be warranted in certain situations, such as:
- Before introducing a new gecko into a collection
- After treating a gecko for a suspected salmonella infection
- If selling geckos to buyers who want testing documentation
- As part of a human illness investigation if salmonella transmission is suspected
Working with a qualified reptile veterinarian is advisable to determine appropriate salmonella testing and interpret results.
Transmission and Symptoms
Fecal-Oral Transmission
Leopard geckos can carry the salmonella bacteria in their intestinal tract and shed it in their feces without showing any symptoms of illness. This fecal-oral route is the primary way salmonella gets transmitted (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023).
When geckos defecate in their tanks or handling areas, their infected feces can contaminate their surroundings. Humans can then ingest the bacteria if proper hygiene precautions are not followed after touching contaminated objects or geckos.
For example, if you touch a leopard gecko who has salmonella bacteria in its digestive system and then touch your mouth, the bacteria can be transmitted by hand to mouth contact. Or if the gecko’s tank is not properly sanitized, bacteria from their feces could spread to surfaces around the tank.
You could later accidentally touch those contaminated areas then touch food you are going to eat without washing your hands first.
That is why good cage hygiene like regularly cleaning the tank substrate and decor thoroughly as well as washing hands after handling reptiles is crucial. An incredible 98% of salmonella infections in children were linked to direct or indirect contact with reptiles according to the CDC, showing how vital proper handling precautions are.
Human Infection Symptoms
People infected with a salmonella strain carried by reptiles may start developing signs of illness around 12-72 hours after ingesting the bacteria, though some cases can take much longer to manifest symptoms. The most common symptoms include (CDC, 2023):
- Diarrhea
- Fever and chills
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headaches
In healthy individuals, salmonella infections often clear up on their own in around 4-7 days. But in high risk groups like infants, elderly, or immunocompromised people, the illness can become very serious if not treated promptly with antibiotics and IV fluids.
These individuals may require hospitalization to recover.
Roughly 380 Americans die every year from salmonella infections, with children under 5 accounting for close to a third of all infections. That is why proper handwashing technique after reptile contact should be practiced, especially when interacting with younger kids.
With good hygiene and handling habits though, leopard geckos can make very safe family pets.
Best Practices to Avoid Salmonella
Quarantine and Testing New Geckos
When bringing home a new leopard gecko, it is crucial to quarantine them for a minimum of 30-90 days before introducing them to other reptiles you may have. This allows time to monitor the new gecko for any signs of illness, and test them for Salmonella if desired.
While not commonly done, new leopard gecko owners may choose to have fecal samples tested by their herp veterinarian to check for Salmonella. This can provide added peace of mind before handling the new pet.
Thorough Cleaning and Disinfecting
Salmonella bacteria can quickly spread between geckos through contact with infected feces, urates, or contaminated surfaces. Thus, regular thorough cleaning and disinfection of the entire habitat is vital.
When cleaning the enclosure, dispose of all substrate. Scrub surfaces with hot water and unscented dish soap, rinse well, and allow to fully dry. Then disinfect using a diluted bleach solution or veterinary-grade disinfectants like Trifectant, Rescue, or F10SC Veterinary Disinfectant.
Proper Handling Hygiene
Salmonella transmission from reptiles most often occurs through contact with contaminated hands. That is why proper hand hygiene before and after handling your geckos is crucial.
Always wash hands thoroughly with hot, soapy water after touching your gecko, cleaning their habitat, or contacting any dirty surfaces. Hand sanitizers are NOT effective against Salmonella. Supervise children to ensure proper handwashing as well.
Conclusion
While leopard geckos can sometimes be carriers of salmonella, the risk tends to be relatively low compared to other reptiles when proper husbandry and hygiene practices are followed.
By quarantining new geckos, thoroughly cleaning enclosures, using disinfectants, washing hands properly after contact, and taking other preventative steps outlined here, leopard gecko owners can help protect both their pets and themselves.