How to Raise Baby Geckos

Baby geckos are quite hardy and require minimal effort to raise to adulthood.

Geckos are immensely popular among pet owners of herpetological animals, due to their ease of care, bold assortment of colors and overall "cute" appearance. Many species of gecko are easier to breed than larger herps, such as chameleons or iguanas, and can be housed in smaller enclosures than their larger cousins. While a baby gecko's care varies widely by species, there are some basic requirements that all baby geckos need.

Things You'll Need

• Small container
• Paper towel
• Thermometer
• Heat lamp
• Spray bottle

Instructions

1. Provide a spacious but easy-to-clean enclosure for your baby geckos, until they are large enough and healthy enough to enter a display exhibit. A simple enclosure can be made from an appropriately-sized terrarium lined with a few sheets of plain paper towel and a few hiding spots such as toilet paper tubes or small plastic containers. Plain paper towel is easy to clean and allows you to easily monitor droppings for changes in color or consistency, which could indicate health issues.

2. Maintain an adequate temperature for your gecko, and avoid drastic fluctuations throughout the day. A drop in day to night time temperatures is recommended for most species, with day temperatures averaging between 85 to 89 degrees Fahrenheit and night temperatures in between 67 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. Mist only one side of the enclosure daily, to maintain humidity and provide a dry side and moist side in its habitat. Humidity helps facilitate skin shedding, and allows your gecko to adjust his location to suit his humidity needs.

4. Feed baby geckos mealworms and pinhead crickets every day or two days. These should be dusted with a commercial calcium and mineral supplement, to ensure the baby gecko receives adequate nutrition. Make sure to remove uneaten crickets after mealtimes, as the crickets may bite or pick at geckos, if left in the enclosure too long.

5. Provide a constant supply of clean, fresh water for your baby geckos in a small shallow container. Make sure that the gecko can easily access the water at all times, and that the water is not deep enough for him to fall into and drown. Keeping water dishes at such a low level will mean rapid evaporation, so check them frequently to ensure you gecko is receiving adequate hydration.

6. Separate male geckos from one another (if the species is sexually dimorphic) to prevent fighting. Some species, such as leopard geckos, are identical regarding gender until a few months of age, so watch carefully for any early territorial issues or squabbles.

References

• Lizard-Landscapes.com: Baby Leopard Gecko Care
• GeckoCare.com: Feeding Geckos
• PangaeReptile.com: Crested Gecko Care