Leopard Gecko Breeding Season: Ovulation, Eggs, and What to Expect

If your gecko has gone off food in the Spring, it may just be a normal part of their hormonal cycle.

Leopard geckos, like many animals, have a breeding season that significantly affects their behavior and health. In this blog post, we will delve into the intricacies of leopard gecko breeding season, including its definition, timing, and impact on the animals. By understanding the effects of breeding season on leopard geckos, we can provide better care for these fascinating creatures and guarantee their well-being.

Leopard Gecko breeding season occurs between February and September.

Males

Male Leopard Geckos experience fewer behavioral changes than females. Some may lose their appetite for extended periods, which is perfectly natural and may cause slight weight loss. As long as your gecko appears lively and healthy and maintains good body condition, loss of appetite is acceptable.

Females

Female Leopard Geckos require more care during breeding season, but the majority of females are entirely fine if provided with a lay box*.

Female geckos can ovulate and even lay eggs regardless of whether they have come into contact with a male, these infertile eggs are known as 'slugs'.

The first indication that your female gecko is ovulating is a decrease in appetite. Prior to ovulation, females often have an increased appetite. If she is not easy to handle, you can place her in a clear container and examine her abdomen.

Ovulation appears as two pink and white spots, pictured below.

A gecko with no signs of eggs or ovulation

A gecko who is ovulating.

After a few weeks, your female Leopard Gecko should resume eating, but she may still be developing eggs.

A gravid Leopard Gecko

Female Leopard Geckos may lay infertile eggs a few times a year. These take a significant toll on their bodies, and some weight loss is relatively normal as their bodies prioritize producing eggs over their well-being.

Here are a few signs that your Leopard Gecko is about to lay eggs:

• Loss of appetite after ovulation

• Excessive digging

• Swollen abdomen

• Reduced fat in the tail

If you notice that your gecko is gravid, provide her with adequate calcium and multivitamins and add a lay box to her enclosure.

In rare cases, eggs can become lodged or burst inside a female (dystocia - egg binding), putting her life in jeopardy. If your gecko appears lethargic, or if any fluid comes from her vent, seek veterinary assistance immediately.

After Ovulation

If a gecko has not been bred, chances are she will reabsorb the eggs before they grow too large to need laying. However, it is not uncommon for infertile eggs to be laid two to three weeks after ovulation is first noted. You will see her belly grow larger, and she will have a period of increased appetite before the eggs become too large and uncomfortable and she stops eating entirely.

If she does lay, she will lay a pair, and may continue to lay a pair of eggs every few weeks until the end of summer. In unbred females this is unusual though - most will lay one to three clutches (pairs of eggs) per year at most.

It is common for Leopard Geckos of both sexes to lose their appetite during breeding season, and their weight may vary throughout the year. Female Geckos may lay infertile eggs called 'slugs,' and it is crucial to provide a dig box and appropriate supplements to ensure that your gecko's breeding season progresses smoothly!

*A container filled with damp soil, eco earth, or moss where a female gecko can lay eggs if necessary. We use these.