Are Heat Mats Safe for Leopard Geckos? Why Overhead Heating Is Better

When I started keeping Leopard Geckos, the communities I was a part of actively discouraged the use of overhead heating. The thinking was that Leopard Geckos only needed belly heat, and that basking was not something natural to them. We could provide synthesised D3 via their calcium, and keep them in dark enclosures where they feel safe. Needless to say, this is closed-loop logic based on incorrect assumptions that Leopard Geckos: Are nocturnal - In reality, they are crepusc

What Size Enclosure Does a Leopard Gecko Need?

Leopard geckos are one of the most popular pet reptiles, and for good reason - they are sweet natured, confident, and relatively easy to keep happy and healthy. But if you're a leopard gecko owner or considering getting one, there's an essential question that might be on your mind: How big should their enclosure be? The basic answer is that Leopard Geckos require a minimum of 90 x 45 x 45cm to thrive, but why? Understanding Your Leopard Gecko's Size and Space Needs The averag

Solarmeter 6.5 for Reptiles: Do You Need One?

Many reptiles and amphibians thrive with UVB light, but safely incorporating it into an enclosure can be challenging, especially for beginners or those setting up larger or taller enclosures. Pros: Likely to eventually pay for itself due to extended life of UVB bulbs Gives exact numbers on UVI, particularly helpful in more unusual enclosure designs Ensures your bulbs are not defective Cons: Expensive! So, what is UVB and how does it relate to solar meters? A solar meter measu

Leopard Gecko Morph Masterlist

Thinking of getting a leopard gecko? Check out our Care Guide! Dominant White & Yellow Colour enhancer High white sides Smaller spots Enigma Extreme colour enhancer Smaller smaller spots Unethical to produce due to neurological issues linked to the gene, which often become irreversibly apparent when animal is stressed Lemon Frost Pale grey eyes Extreme colours Excessive growth of facial tissue Unethical to produce as gene is linked to cancerous tumours Vermillon Colour enhanc

Why Is My Leopard Gecko Not Eating? Causes and Solutions

Leopard geckos have relatively simple dietary needs. They primarily feed on insects such as crickets, mealworms, and dubia roaches. However, it's not uncommon for new geckos to take some time to adjust to their new environment before they feel comfortable enough to eat. Established Leopard Geckos can also stop eating due to stress, illness, or normal hormonal cycles. Common Reasons Why Leopard Geckos May Not Be Eating Stress: Changes in environment or handling can cause stre

2 3 4

WE BLOODY LOVE LEOPARD GECKOS

Whether you've just brought one home or you're still deciding, you're in the right place. Leopard Geckos London is a free, no-nonsense care resource built by a keeper who's been doing this for a decade - and has made every mistake so you don't have to.

Leopard geckos are brilliant pets. They're handleable, characterful, and genuinely fascinating to keep. But there's a lot of confusing (and sometimes flat-out wrong) information out there. We cut through it with science-based advice written in plain English, for beginners and experienced keepers alike.

Care Guide

Rio, July 2018

My
Story

In 2015, I took two buses and a train to a little pet shop in London that no longer exists. I had started my first adult job a few months prior, and with nothing more than a few Google searches, I set out to buy myself a Leopard Gecko. Lacking experience with exotic pets, I missed the red flags entirely. But as soon as I saw the sweet little adult female crammed into an enclosure full of juvenile geckos, I had to have her. I brought her home along with a one-foot vivarium, purple calcium sand, a heat mat, and some mealworms... oh dear. That sweet girl, whom I named Rio, stayed with me as I slowly, sometimes painfully, revolutionised her care. I found communities that gently educated me, replaced the sand with soil-based substrates, learned what a thermostat actually does, and began to understand what a leopard gecko actually needs to thrive. Rio passed away in 2021 due to liver failure. Poor breeding, a rough start in life, and years of laying infertile eggs were too much for her little body. I did my best by her, but I couldn't undo what came before. Leopard Geckos London exists because that experience shouldn't be as common as it is. Science-based husbandry isn't complicated, but it's surprisingly hard to find presented clearly, honestly, and without an agenda. No products to sell you, no mythology to uphold. Just what the evidence actually says, and what ten years of keeping these animals has taught me. I bloody love leopard geckos. And they deserve better than the internet usually gives them.

What makes a Leopard Gecko breeder ethical?

Back when I was breeding, I was interviewed by Rebecca from Leopard Gecko Talk about what ethical breeding actually looks like in practice - avoiding scams, which morphs carry welfare concerns, and what to look for when buying from a breeder.

I'm no longer breeding, but the advice holds. If you're looking to add a leopard gecko to your family, this is a decent place to start.