Breeding Leopard Geckos

Leopard Geckos:

Breeding season for leopard geckos starts in February, and ends in August. Make sure the female has enough calcium all through breeding season and that she stays well fed. You can provide a calcium substance by dusting the crickets you feed her, or by placing some in a dish for her to lick as she pleases. It’s ok if the male licks the calcium as well. Of course make sure there is clean water in the dish every day.

A month before breeding season starts, put in a laying box for the female in the cage. You can use a regular Tupperware container (keep the lid on), and cut a hole in the side of the container big enough for her to get in and out of. Fill the hide half way with moist vermiculate or perlite. Don’t be surprised if she digs a large area inside the hide, as that’s where she will lay her eggs.

Female leopards can lay eggs once every 2-4 weeks during breeding season. When she starts to lay eggs, she may start to refuse food, which is ok, just make sure you feed her substantially after she is done laying eggs. Her tail must stay nice and fat. You will be able to notice when she is about to lay eggs, as you can see them through her belly from underneath. Once the eggs are laid, make sure to transport the eggs right away to the incubator the exact way they were laid. Do not turn them or they will not hatch. 81 degrees will produce all females, 87-88 will produce males, and 85 will produce half and half. It will take 6-12 weeks for the eggs to hatch; although the higher the temperature, the sooner they will hatch.

Hatchlings usually will not eat for a week or so when they are born. They will feed off their yolk until their first shed, which is when the yolk will fall off. Once they are born, separate each hatchling in separate containers, with moist paper towels as a substrate. Feed them SMALL crickets dusted with calcium every day.

Good luck breeding and taking care of your hatchlings!!