![]() When hunting, a leopard gecko may lift its tail in a twitching or wagging motion as it approaches its prey after the gecko eats its prey, the tail will then return to a relaxed position. Leopard geckos have distinctly thick tails that store fat similar to the way in which camels' humps serve as reservoirs of fatty tissue, the fat stored in the tails of leopard geckos acts as an energy reserve that the geckos can use as nourishment if there is not an available food supply. Next to the full grown tooth there is a small replacement tooth developing from the odontogenic stem cell in the dental lamina. Leopard geckos are polyphyodonts and able to replace each of their 100 teeth every 3 to 4 months. Unlike many other geckos, but like other Eublepharids, their toes do not have adhesive lamellae, so they cannot climb smooth vertical walls. Adult females are about 18 to 20 cm (7.1 to 7.9 in) in length and weigh about 50 to 70 grams, while adult male geckos are about 20 to 28 cm (7.9 to 11.0 in) in length and weigh about 60 to 80 grams. Hatchlings are on average 7 to 10 cm (2.8 to 3.9 in) in length and weigh about 2 to 5 grams. Leopard geckos are small lizards that derive their name from their spotted coloration. Acknowledging the latter as a myth propagated by pet keepers, Philippe de Vosjoli-a prominent leopard gecko breeder and author of dozens of books on reptile husbandry-has asserted that "The claims of some internet 'experts' that leopard geckos in the wild live singly. ![]() Pet keeping guides often claim these geckos are solitary and do not usually live with other animals. Academic sources have asserted that leopard geckos live in loose colonies in the wild. There is also debate as to the degree that leopard geckos interact with conspecifics in the wild. there are many reports of them being seen even in full daytime desert sunlight openly basking". John Courtney Smith, the brand manager for UVB light manufacturing company Arcadia Reptile, asserts in Bio-activity and the Theory of Wild Re-Creation: "The leopard gecko is quite crepuscular in its home range. This assertion has been used to explain the ability of leopard geckos to use UVB exposure to synthesize vitamin D3 in captivity, and as a rationale for providing captive leopard geckos with access to UVB lighting. This could be attributable to the secretive nocturnal nature of the species." In contrast, some sources focused on husbandry of captive leopard geckos have asserted leopard geckos are crepuscular or even cathemeral reptiles. Naturalist David Attenborough asserts in the wildlife documentary series Life in Cold Blood: "A leopard gecko-like most geckos-is nocturnal, and it manages to get all the heat it needs from rocks, which retain something of their warmth for several hours after the sun has set." Similarly, Nepalese biologist Yam Rawat writes: "Leopard Geckos remained undetected in Nepal until. During the day they retreat to burrows and sheltered hiding spots, becoming active at dusk when the temperature is favorable. ![]() Wild leopard geckos are generally considered to be nocturnal by field biology sources, academic herpetology sources, and some animal husbandry guides. The Aravalli Biodiversity Park in Delhi, India, is a habitat populated by E. Winter temperatures within the range of the leopard gecko can be quite low, below 10 ☌ (50 ☏), forcing the animals underground into semi-hibernation, called brumation, living on fat reserves. Leopard geckos may also be found in arid forests of Nepal and Pakistan, and are reported to shelter under loose bark of trees in these environments. They reportedly avoid areas where the primary substrate is sand. Leopard geckos inhabit arid and semi-arid areas with sparse vegetation and clay or sandy soils, as well as rocky habitat where crevices can be used as shelter. The native habitat of the leopard gecko includes the rocky, dry grassland, and desert regions of south-Asian Afghanistan, Pakistan, north-west India, western Nepal, and some parts of Iran. The specific name macularius derives from the Latin word macula meaning "spot" or "blemish", referring to the animal's natural spotted markings. The generic name Eublepharis is a combination of the Greek words eu (good) and blepharos (eyelid), as having eyelids is the primary characteristic that distinguishes members of this subfamily from other geckos, along with a lack of lamellae. ![]() ![]() Leopard geckos were first described as a species by zoologist Edward Blyth in 1854 as Eublepharis macularius. The leopard gecko has become a popular pet, and due to extensive captive breeding it is sometimes referred to as the first domesticated species of lizard. The leopard gecko or common leopard gecko ( Eublepharis macularius) is a ground-dwelling lizard native to the rocky dry grassland and desert regions of Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, India, and Nepal. ![]()
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