| Breeding |
| Many herpetologists will agree that the leopard gecko is one of the easiest lizards to breed. Breeding occurs with relatively no effort made by the breeder. Size of Animals As with most lizards, size is more important than age as to when leopard geckos have reached sexual maturity. Leopard geckos generally reach maturity any where between 40g - 55g. Leopard geckos usually reach this weight anywhere between 10 months and 24 months of age depending on food intake any housing. Conditions There are a few "rules" when it comes to breeding. First you need atleast one male and one or more females. Secondly these animals should be healthy and in good condition. Animals with fatty masses behind their fore limbs are in good condition for breeding. Leopard geckos that are sick or thin should not be considered for breeding but housed individually and fed or treated until thay are healthy and have tails that show high fat reserves. The optimal age for leopard geckos to breed at is anywhere between the age of two and five years old. Pre-breeding conditions Prior to breeding all leopard geckos should be in prime condition and good health, with good body weight. Many breeders do not precondition their leopard geckos prior to breeding. Although others expose their geckos to a shorter photoperiod(about ten hours of light) and cooler temperatures(as low as 65 degrees F (18 C) at night and 72-76 degrees F (22-24 degrees C) during the day) for atleast four weeks prior to breeding attemps. And slighlty decrease the amount of food, thus simulating winter. After the four weeks slowly increase temperature and food back to the normal level over a 2-3 week span. Although suggested by many breeders and herpetoculturists, in my opinion a pre-breeding "cooling period" is not required. I have had great success with just introducing the male to two or more females at the begining of January(their nature breeding season) and leaving him in for the majority of the breeding season. On average, every couple of months, or when I see fit, I take out the male and place him in a tank by himself for atleast two weeks and then re-introduce him back to the females to re-stimulate breeding. This period can also give the females a little break from the male aswell as time to restore her calcium supply. At the end of the breeding season (usually around the end of september) I remove the male from the females enclosure and feed them a high protein diet of well gut-loaded crickets, super worms, wax or meal worms and pinkies. This three month period allows the females to regain lost calcium, build up fat stores for the following year and recooperate after a long, nine month breeding season. Breeding Season In captivity, leopard geckos usually breed during a season of eight months (January to the end of August. ) The remaining four months (September to the end of December) is considered a time of "rest." During this time you should work on building up a a good fat store on your leopard geckos, especially the females. Offering a one to two day old pinkie with it's rump dipped in a calcium supplement every two weeks, is an excellent way to build up fat stores. Offering a pinkie, every two weeks, during the breeding season to all breeding geckos is a good idea. All food during the breeding season should be coated with a calcium supplement, especially if it's for a female. On to Incubating and Eggs |
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