How to Set Up a Leopard Gecko Terrarium
Leopard geckos are one of the easiest pets to take care of, as they require little maintenance. Creating a leopard gecko's home requires little effort and can be done in a matter of minutes.
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Things You'll Need
- 10+ gallon terrarium
- Substrate (sand, newspaper, artificial turf, shredded paper towels)
- Food dish
- Water dish
- Decorative items (artificial vines, sticks, rocks, climbing wall)
- Hiding box (small box, rock hut)
- Shed box (plastic container with lid)
- Artificial moss
- Spray bottle with water
- Heat lamp
- Substrate heater
Instructions
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1
Place the substrate heater on the bottom of the terrarium on the opposite side of where the leopard gecko's hide box will be.
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2
Put the substrate in the terrarium. It should be about 2 inches thick.
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3
Place the leopard gecko's hide box in the corner of the terrarium away from heat sources. This is where it will go to sleep.
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4
Put water in the gecko's water dish and place it somewhere in the terrarium, away from his home. Do the same with the food dish.
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5
Pour artificial moss into the plastic shed box container. Cut out a small opening in the lid of the container. Look for and fix sharp edges that may injure the gecko. Spray the moss with water using a spray bottle to create a humid shed environment. Place the lid on the container.
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6
Cover the container with the substrate in order to hide it, but keep the opening visible so that the gecko can find and climb inside the shed box.
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7
Place a large rock in the center of the terrarium so the gecko can bask in the heat when it feels the need.
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8
Decorate the terrarium with items like vines, artificial plants or a climbing wall.
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9
Place the gecko inside.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Allow the gecko to explore the home before putting crickets inside. Change the gecko's water daily. Clean the gecko's food and water dish in boiling water once a week. Replace paper towel or newspaper substrate once a week and sand once every three weeks. Clean artificial turf by boiling it. Remove any feces from the terrarium daily. Keep the temperature between 75° to 80° F with little humidity except in the shed box.
Do not use a heat rock in your terrarium. It can injure or even kill your gecko. Sand is not recommended for younger geckos, as they may eat it and become impacted.
