Key Takeaway:
- Juvenile leopard geckos should be okay in a 40-gallon tank but the minimum tank size should be 20-gallons.
- Size is a crucial factor when choosing the ideal leopard gecko tank.
- The tank size plays a crucial role in how you set up your enclosure.
- Baby leopard geckos should have a minimum tank size of 10 gallons, but the ideal size should be 20 gallons.
- The minimum tank size of leopard geckos should be 40 gallons while the ideal tank size can be anywhere between 50 to 80 gallons.
- When housing multiple leopard geckos, you should give each individual at least 10 gallons of space. But for comfort purposes, each gecko should have a space of 20 gallons.
- Preparing the enclosure and ensuring the environment is perfect is important before moving the leopard gecko into a new tank.
A glass tank, you can provide your leopard gecko with the needed temperature and humidity levels.
Moreover, a glass tank makes it easy to replicate a leopard gecko’s natural environment. But how large should the glass tank be? Well, that’s what we are about to discuss. So, keep reading to learn about the ideal leopard gecko tank size.
Leopard Tank Size Requirements
The tank size requirements might differ depending on the age or size of your leopard gecko. For instance, baby leopard geckos don’t need the same tank size as that of an adult. Below is a brief discussion of the different tank size requirements for babies, juveniles, and adults.
Baby
Babies don’t need much space for a start. However, there is no harm in providing your baby leopard gecko with a very large tank.
Minimum
The minimum enclosure size for a baby leopard gecko should be 20 inches long by 10 inches wide. Such a tank should be 10 gallons. Such a tank will only accommodate two small hides and nothing much.
Ideal
The ideal tank size for a baby gecko should be at least 20 gallons. This tank can fit multiple hides, a water dish, and some decorations. Ensure the tank has more horizontal space as opposed to vertical space.
Maximum
If you want your baby leopard gecko to live a better life, you should give them a large tank. A 30 or 40-gallon tank should be enough for a baby leopard gecko. With such a large tank, your baby leopard gecko will have enough space to explore. Besides, you can decorate the tank and still fit the necessary accessories.
Juvenile
Juvenile leopard geckos are much larger than babies, meaning they’ll need a bigger space to explore. Besides, you must take the consideration that juveniles grow pretty fast.
Minimum
For juvenile leopard geckos, you should invest in a minimum tank size of 20 gallons. A 20-gallon tank is only recommended when you don’t have space for a large tank.
In most cases, 20-gallon tanks may not have enough space to fit plenty of accessories. You’ll only fit the necessary supplies and leave out the rest.
Ideal
Juvenile leopard geckos should be fine in a 40-gallon enclosure. Such an enclosure has enough ground space for juvenile geckos to explore. Besides, you’ll have an easy time creating a thermal gradient and decorating the tank.
Investing in a large enclosure means you’ll never have to purchase any other tank when your leopard gecko becomes an adult.
Maximum
When it comes to juveniles, there is no maximum tank size. You can invest in any tank size you want as long as you have the space and you can maintain the right temperatures and humidity. Therefore, you can keep a juvenile gecko in a 50, 60, 70, or 80-gallon tank if you want.
Adult
When leopard geckos hit the adult stage, they’ll have grown to full size. Therefore, you shouldn’t expect them to grow anymore. An adult leopard gecko can live in one tank for the rest of its life.
You just need to ensure the tank is large enough to accommodate multiple hides, a water dish, plants, substrate, rocks, and any other decorations you deem fit.
Minimum
Some people claim that the minimum tank size for an adult leopard gecko should be 20 gallons. However, 20 gallons is too small for an adult. Based on our experience, the minimum tank size for an adult gecko should be 40 gallons.
Ideal
The ideal tank size that can last a leopard gecko during its lifetime is a 50-gallon tank. This tank should measure 36x18x18 and it should have a front-opening feature.
Such a tank will have enough space for the gecko to play and explore. Moreover, you still have space to fit all the necessary accessories.
Maximum
When it comes to adult leopard geckos, you can house them in a tank of your choice irrespective of the size. Therefore, it is up to you to decide if you want a 60 or 80-gallon tank. Such tanks can accommodate everything that a leopard gecko needs.
Multiple Leopard Geckos
Housing multiple leopard geckos together is always risky due to the possibility of bullying or fighting. However, if you still want to proceed with the plan, you’ll need a large tank that can accommodate two or more leopard geckos. This way, each gecko will have enough space to explore.
Minimum
The minimum space when housing two leopard geckos should be 20 gallons. Each gecko should have at least 10 gallons of space. So, if you want to house 3 geckos, you’ll need a minimum space of 30 gallons.
Ideal
When housing multiple leopard geckos, the ideal space should be 20 gallons for each gecko. So, if you want to house two geckos, you should invest in a 40-gallon tank.
Maximum
If you have the resources and space to house multiple leopard geckos, you should provide each gecko with 30 or 40 gallons of space. That said, you can place multiple geckos in a 120-gallon tank. Such a tank should measure 48x24x24.
How To Move Your Leopard Gecko To a New Tank?
Moving a leopard gecko to its new habitat should be taken seriously. You must have a good strategy to introduce your lizard to its new tank. Doing so will help the leopard gecko settle into its new enclosure pretty fast. Here is how you can get the process right:
Prepare The Environment
Before you move the leopard gecko to a new tank, you must ensure the environment is right. Check the temperature and humidity levels are okay. Finally, add a water dish and any other accessories that a leopard gecko needs.
But before you conclude everything is okay, monitor whether the thermostat is working and check if the temperature readings are perfect.
Introduce Your Gecko
- Once you confirm that your tank setup is okay, you can move your new pet into the enclosure. Here are some tips to ensure the transition is seamless:
- If your gecko comes in a small container, open and place the container in the tank and let the gecko come out at his speed.
- Ensure the under-tank heater is on, but switch off the heat lamp in your tank to avoid stressing the gecko with too much light.
- Ensure the room is calm and quiet to avoid stressing the gecko
- Ensure the leopard gecko has enough water to hydrate at its own will.
- Remove the transport container from the tank after an hour and leave the gecko to explore his or her surroundings
Should you House Multiple Geckos?
No, leopard geckos are solitary creatures that should never be housed together. The only time multiple leopard geckos should be in the same enclosure is during the breeding period. During the breeding period, you can house a male and female leopard gecko in the same enclosure.
Some people have had no problems housing two females together. On the other hand, you should never keep multiple male leopard geckos in the same enclosure. Males are territorial and they will fight over space, food, water, and other resources.
FAQs
Is A 10 Gallon Tank Big Enough For A Leopard Gecko?
No, a 10-gallon tank is quite small for juvenile and adult leopard geckos. However, you can house a hatchling in a 10-gallon tank for the first few weeks.
Is A 15 Gallon Tank Big Enough For A Leopard Gecko?
A 15-gallon tank can only fit a baby leopard gecko. Adult leopard geckos need a much bigger space due to their size.
Can Leopard Geckos Live In A 20 Gallon Tank?
Yes, a 20-gallon tank can house a leopard gecko of any size. However, you should know that 20 gallons is the minimum tank size for an adult leopard gecko. If possible, keep your leopard gecko in a 30, 40, or 60-gallon tank.
Summary
The tank is the basis for your leopard gecko enclosure setup. Therefore, you must consider size when buying a tank for your leopard gecko. If you choose the right tank size, you’ll have enough space for hides, plants, water dishes, and other accessories. Besides, your leopard gecko will have enough space to explore.
