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So, you have decided that the Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius) is your next vivarium pet. After all, there is so much to love, including their spotted skin and thick tail. You may even want two (they’re just so cute!), but you’re not sure if it’s okay to house them together.
To get right to the point: You should not house two leopard geckos together, except in the case of breeding. Even then, they should only be together for a short while. We gathered information from veterinary and husbandry experts here to help explain why.
When It’s Not Okay to Have Two Leopard Geckos Together
Even though they look like they are smiling when they look at you, leopard geckos are solitary creatures that enjoy their alone time, and they can get extremely territorial. Although they are curious when it comes to people, when another leopard gecko enters their area, they become highly stressed or aggressive and will usually immediately go into defense mode.
This is truer for male leopard geckos than it is for females. The male geckos have a bigger head and tail. They also have a different pore pattern than females. Male leopard geckos will almost always fight if housed together, and they can seriously injure or kill one another by biting or tail lashing.
You may see pictures of two leopard geckos seemingly enjoying a good time under their heat lamp, but they are not socializing; most likely, only competing for the heat. They will also compete for space and food. When a leopard gecko feels threatened, they will swish their tail back and forth or raise it straight, or make chirping sounds. If you see this happening, you need to separate your geckos right away.
Some people get away with having two leopard geckos in the same habitat with no issues. This is most likely because they have two females raised together in very large enclosures with multiple hides. But there have been recorded cases of females fighting, too.
It’s just best to not take the risk. Keep one leopard gecko in one vivarium at a time to ensure the safety of your little reptile.
When It’s Okay to Have Two Leopard Geckos Together
The only time it’s permissible to have two geckos—a male and a female—in the same unit is when you want baby geckos. Breeding geckos requires careful preparation, including separate pre-breeding conditioning, nesting areas, and quarantine protocols. You need to be sure you have all the necessary supplies before you start, along with enough space and enclosures to house all the geckos separately once they’ve hatched.
You may be surprised to find out that male leopard geckos aggressively breed with the females. It’s normal for a male to bite the back of a female’s neck in the process and to repeatedly mate with her, even after successful breeding. This can be hard on the female leopard gecko’s body, on top of the already arduous task of creating and laying eggs.
While you obviously need to put a male and female leopard gecko pair together when you want to breed them, it’s important to separate them into different enclosures once they have mated. The female needs adequate calcium supplementation and a secure, moist egg-laying box to support egg formation and prevent dystocia (egg binding).
Do Leopard Geckos Get Lonely?
You might find yourself feeling sad when you look at your solitary leopard gecko, but it’s important to remember that these are not creatures that seek the company of others; it simply isn’t in their nature. It’s easy to feel this way because our human species is social, and we thrive from others being around us. Leopard geckos are not this way, though, which should give you some peace of mind.
In the wild, leopard geckos live in loosely overlapping territories and only come together for breeding.
If you have had a leopard gecko for a while, you may notice that they watch you come and go and may even scratch at the door where your hand enters the terrarium. Leopard geckos are motivated by curiosity. You can provide enrichment by changing enclosure décor, offering safe climbing structures, and handling them gently to keep your gecko mentally stimulated.
Leopard Gecko Care Tips
- Provide them with a diet of gut-loaded crickets, mealworms, dubia roaches, and occasional waxworms or silkworms as treats.
- Give them a vitamin D3 and calcium supplement at least twice weekly, or daily for breeding females.
- Always make sure clean, shallow water is available (with a rock placed in it so crickets can get out).
- One leopard gecko needs at least a 20-gallon long habitat, but larger is better.
- The tank needs a thermal gradient of 75–85°F (24–29°C) with a basking area around 88–92°F (31–33°C) and a nighttime drop to around 70°F (21°C).
- Don’t forget to provide them with a warm, humid hide to assist with shedding.
Conclusion
Owning a leopard gecko can be a rewarding experience. They are considered the first domesticated species of lizard and require little care, making them a great beginner reptile pet. Leopard geckos can live up to 10-20 years, which means they can be around for a long time. In fact, with excellent care, some can live for over 25 years, so be sure you’re willing to commit to having one for this long before buying a leopard gecko. Remember, geckos don’t get lonely, so don’t feel bad for keeping them on their own. It’s the best way to keep your pet healthy, stress-free, and thriving.
- Related Read: Do Leopard Geckos Like to Be Held?
Featured Image Credit: agus fitriyanto suratno, Shutterstock
