# Leopard Gecko (*Eublepharis macularius*) The Leopard Gecko is a friendly lizard with beautiful spots! It's a popular pet because of its sweet nature. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Deserts and rocky areas ![Leopard Gecko](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426058/objects/5705.jpg) ## Appearance The Leopard Gecko has a stocky body, often yellowish to tan with distinctive black spots and stripes resembling a leopard's pattern. Its large, movable eyelids and thick, segmented tail make it visually unique among many geckos. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Reptilia - **Order:** Squamata - **Family:** Eublepharidae - **Genus:** Eublepharis ## Interesting facts - Baby leopard geckos wear stripes, but grow into the spotted patterns of adults! - Leopard Geckos have tiny ear holes on their heads that let them hear sounds very well! - They 'taste' the air with their tongues to find out what's nearby, like a snake! - Unlike most geckos, they blink their eyes to keep them clean and moist! ## Special abilities - **Regrowing Tail:** Leopard Gecko can drop and regrow its tail to escape predators, confusing them while it slips away safely. - **Night Vision Master:** Leopard Gecko has excellent night vision to hunt insects in the dark, using its keen eyes to spot prey. - **Fat Storage Tail:** Leopard Gecko stores fat in its thick tail, providing essential energy and water reserves during tough times. - **Blushing Blink:** Leopard Gecko has movable eyelids, allowing it to blink and keep its eyes clean, a rare trait among geckos. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 20-28 cm - **Weight:** 0.045-0.08 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-20 years - **Speed:** 2 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1-2 - **Incubation:** 35-90 days ## Diet & Feeding Tiny hunters, Leopard Geckos munch on many different insects, catching them with a quick pounce! - **Primary Foods:** Crickets, Mealworms, Grasshoppers, Roaches, Spiders - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Eurasian Eagle-owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-eagle-owl) (*Bubo bubo*) — Hunted by large nocturnal owls while active at night. - **Eaten by:** [Indian Cobra](https://www.snappit.app/explore/indian-cobra) (*Naja naja*) — Can be prey for various snake species found in its habitat. - **Eats:** African field cricket (*Gryllus bimaculatus*) — Feeds on crickets and other invertebrates found in its environment. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Desert](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/desert): Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Regenerative](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/regenerative): Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Leopard Gecko? Compare toes, scales, head shape, crests and tail proportions. Many lizards can drop and regrow their tails, so a short tail isn't always a species trait. Lizard Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Leopard Gecko? 20-28 cm ### How much does Leopard Gecko weigh? 0.045-0.08 kg ### How long does Leopard Gecko live? 10-20 years ### How fast can Leopard Gecko move? 2 km/h ### What does Leopard Gecko eat? Tiny hunters, Leopard Geckos munch on many different insects, catching them with a quick pounce! ### Where is Leopard Gecko usually found? Deserts and rocky areas ### How does Leopard Gecko hunt? Ambush ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Leopard Gecko: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/leopard-gecko)