Eublepharis macularius
Common Leopard Gecko

Leopard geckoes can be found throughout Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Northwest India (Henkel 1995) and Pakistan (Hunziker 1994, de Vosjoli 1990).

Dry and semi-dry desert regions (Henkel 1995) and arid grasslands (Hunziker 1994).

Ground color is usually yellow with irregular black spots and a white ventrum. As a side note, due to the popularity of these animals in the pet trade, other color patterns may be found, such as the "high color" or "yellow phase" (Hunziker 1994, de Vosjoli 1990) where very little black or purple markings are found on a bright yellow ground, as well as "chocolate" leopard geckoes, and "albino" geckoes, which simply lack yellow and brown colors; no amelanistic leopard geckoes have been found as yet (de Vosjoli 1990). Leopard geckoes have a segmented tail which may be autotomized, and movable eyelids (Henkel 1995) with a vertical slit pupil (Hunziker 1994) unlike many geckoes. They also lack toe pads, having clawed toes instead (Hunziker 1994). Another interesting feature of the leopard gecko is the ear - due to the auditory system structure, when viewed from the side, light shines right through the gecko's head (de Vosjoli 1990). Adults grow to approximately 220 mm (8") and may reach 10" although this is rare (Henkel 1995, Hunziker 1994).

Females prefer damp, humid environments for egg laying, (Hunziker 1994) and bury the eggs in the substrate (Henkel 1995). Clutches almost universally consist of two eggs, although a healthy female may produce as many as six clutches per year (Hunziker 1994). The eggs measure approximately 28 x 15 mm, and hatch after 45-53 days at 28 degrees Celsius. Hatchlings are about 85 mm in length (Henkel 1995). Animals reach sexual maturity at around 18 months (Hunziker 1994) but this has been known to range from 16-24 months in captive bred animals (de Vosjoli 1990). Leopard geckoes are subject to temperature sex determination (Henkel 1995, de Vosjoli 1990, Hunziker 1994).

Leopard geckoes are nocturnal, sheltering under rocks or in burrows in daylight (Henkel 1995, Hunziker 1994). During periods of activity, the gecko tends to be an inquisitive animal, and although a ground-dwelling species, the clawed toes of the leopard gecko allow them to climb rocks and branches where they can easily absorb heat ventrally (Hunziker 1994). As with many other reptiles, these lizards shed periodically. This species eats the sloughed skin (Henkel 1995). In captivity, this species has a life span of approximately 22 years (Henkel 1995).

Leopard geckoes are very adaptable, and are known to eat scorpions, centipedes, spiders, and beetles in the wild (Hunziker 1994). In captivity, leopard gecko diets usually consist of crickets, mealworms, waxworms, pinkie or nestling mice, locusts, grasshoppers, and springtails (Hunziker 1994, Henkel 1995).

Leopard geckoes are a very popular pet animal. Most pet store stock is believed to be captive bred at this time, with a mainly Pakistani ancestry (Hunziker 1994, de Vosjoli 1990).

No information was found on the status of this species in the wild.