The Lizard Layout
- Male leos cost about $40, females (used for breeding) up to $100. Leopard geckos don't need companions — in fact, a leo's life is far more peaceful when he doesn't have to compete for food, space, the remote control. (If you can't bear to go solo, choose two females. Males are territorial and should never be dorm-mates.)
- A 15- to 20-gallon aquarium with a screen top ($30 to $40) is fine for the single gecko. Because leos are so fastidious in their toilet habits, cleaning the cage is a cinch: Just lay paper towel in the chosen corner and replace as needed.
- Like all reptiles, leopard geckos are cold-blooded, and thus need a source of heat to keep them toasty: a heat lamp ($20), plus a light for watching this nocturnal animal strut his stuÂff. For fire safety, buy one with a ceramic, not plastic, base. Skip the hot rocks, however; they can burn your leo. You'll need a water bowl ($5), plus at least two reptile dens, one for the warm side of the tank, one for the cool ($10 each).
Fun Facts
- Leopard geckos can't climb straight up vertical surfaces like Spider-Man because they lack the toe pads of other varieties.
- Many geckos lack eyelids. The leopard gecko has them, and they actually move. This may account for their cute factor.
- The plumper a gecko's tail, the healthier he is: The tail is where he stores excess fat for lean times.
