Q&A for How to Bathe a Leopard Gecko

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  • Question
    What should I do if my leopard gecko is shedding?
    Audra Barrios
    Marine Biologist & Reptile Specialist
    Audra Barrios is a Marine Biologist and owner of Lick Your Eyeballs, a business offering experiemces, reptiles, supplies and plants. With over 15 years of experience, Audra specializes in reptiles and exotic animals, environmental education, marine biology, conservation issues, and animal husbandry. Audra earned a BASc in Marine Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and studied Natural Sciences at the College of Marin. She is the founder and Executive Director of Things That Creep, a non-profit dedicated to herptile conservation through education. She has spent the last nine years working as a biologist at the California Academy of Sciences.
    Marine Biologist & Reptile Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Try soaking your gecko for 30 minutes, then pour water over its back. After your gecko has soaked for at least 30 minutes and its skin is soft, you might try pulling off the dead skin with tweezers. Go slowly and be super careful so you don't hurt your gecko.
  • Question
    Can I bathe a leopard gecko?
    Audra Barrios
    Marine Biologist & Reptile Specialist
    Audra Barrios is a Marine Biologist and owner of Lick Your Eyeballs, a business offering experiemces, reptiles, supplies and plants. With over 15 years of experience, Audra specializes in reptiles and exotic animals, environmental education, marine biology, conservation issues, and animal husbandry. Audra earned a BASc in Marine Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and studied Natural Sciences at the College of Marin. She is the founder and Executive Director of Things That Creep, a non-profit dedicated to herptile conservation through education. She has spent the last nine years working as a biologist at the California Academy of Sciences.
    Marine Biologist & Reptile Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Yes, you can bathe your gecko. However, you only need to do it if it's having a hard time shedding, it's noticeably dirty, or it has a skin condition.
  • Question
    How often should I bathe my leopard gecko?
    Audra Barrios
    Marine Biologist & Reptile Specialist
    Audra Barrios is a Marine Biologist and owner of Lick Your Eyeballs, a business offering experiemces, reptiles, supplies and plants. With over 15 years of experience, Audra specializes in reptiles and exotic animals, environmental education, marine biology, conservation issues, and animal husbandry. Audra earned a BASc in Marine Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and studied Natural Sciences at the College of Marin. She is the founder and Executive Director of Things That Creep, a non-profit dedicated to herptile conservation through education. She has spent the last nine years working as a biologist at the California Academy of Sciences.
    Marine Biologist & Reptile Specialist
    Expert Answer
    There's no need to bathe your leopard gecko on a regular basis. However, an occasional soak can help if your gecko has trouble shedding its skin.
  • Question
    Would it be OK to bathe it one day every other week?
    LizardLover33
    Community Answer
    That would be fine. Once a week or longer is OK, but once a day is excessive.
  • Question
    Where do I buy a leopard gecko?
    Community Answer
    At your local pet store is fine, or you can buy them from breeders.
  • Question
    What should l do when my leopard gecko does not hide and runs everywhere in his tank?
    Community Answer
    Try to give him or her more attention and more food, also check to see if it's pregnant if it is a female.
  • Question
    Do I need to feed them in the morning or in the evening?
    Community Answer
    You can feed them in the morning, and that should last them throughout the day. However, you can consult with your local pet store experts to be sure that it is what is best for your gecko.
  • Question
    How do I bathe a gecko without making the gecko slip from my hands and fall on the ground?
    FutureHow
    Community Answer
    Always bathe a gecko in a tub with high sides. If you are worried that the gecko might wiggle from your hand when you pick it up, that shouldn't be a worry. Always handle a gecko close to the ground, because if it does slip it won't fall too hard.
  • Question
    How do I know if my leopard gecko is pregnant?
    FutureHow
    Community Answer
    You should feel a couple of bumps on the underbelly of the gecko. Those are the eggs. The gecko might be more sluggish and less active, also.
  • Question
    How do I know when to turn on the light for the gecko so it knows it’s daytime.
    FutureHow
    Community Answer
    Just follow the natural cycle. Turn on the light when you wake up in the morning, and turn it off when you go to sleep at night. You can also have a timed turn on/shut off system.
  • Question
    Can I help my leopard gecko when shedding?
    Fiona Shepley
    Top Answerer
    Don’t help your gecko while they’re in the process of shedding, let them do it themselves. Provide a humid hide and make sure the enclosure‘s humidity is in the range of 35-65%, measured by a digital hygrometer. Only step in and help if they have stuck shed after (particularly on their toes).
  • Question
    How do I tell if it is a boy or a girl?
    Snipersan The Cheetah
    Community Answer
    If you find the hole where the gecko poops from, a little bit higher on the belly will be 3 symmetrically placed on each side hollow-looking scales that stick out towards the ground on boys. Girls will have regular scales.
  • Question
    Do I have to use reptile safe spray?
    Snipersan The Cheetah
    Community Answer
    Yes and no. The disinfectant has to be reptile safe but it doesn't have to be spray.
  • Question
    My gecko hasn’t shed In a long time, would bathing it help?
    Fiona Shepley
    Top Answerer
    No. Only bathe if the gecko has stuck shed. The gecko is likely shedding overnight and eating it before you notice. Adults don’t shed very often.
  • Question
    How do i tell if my leopard gecko has a fungus infection? Also when my gecko becomes an adult, can I just still use reptile carpet?
    Fiona Shepley
    Top Answerer
    If you suspect that your gecko had a fungal infection, take them to an exotic vet for confirmation. Reptile carpet is not a suitable substrate. It catches their teeth and claws and harbours bacteria no matter how much it’s cleaned. Good solid substrates include paper towel, non-adhesive shelf liner, and textured tile. Over six months, it’s best to offer digging enrichment with reptisoil, organic top soil (without fertilizer or perlite, Scott’s is a good brand), or a bioactive substrate. Half tile, half soil is a good option as well.
  • Question
    I want to bathe my leopard gecko, in order to help her shedding her skin. I read that some vets advise mineral oil. What mineral oils can i use? Is essential oil from eucalyptus or lavender okay?
    Fiona Shepley
    Top Answerer
    Don’t use any oils, they are harmful to geckos. Only bathe the gecko if they have stuck shed after shedding. With a properly set up humid hide and correct enclosure humidity they shouldn’t have any problems shedding.
  • Question
    Our leopard gecko hasn't been active for 2 days. He is alert when he hears our voices. Is he okay? He has eaten a little and drank a bit.
    Arra Sails
    Community Answer
    Your gecko is probably in brumation. Brumation is basically hibernation, but for reptiles. However, they wake up to eat and poop.
  • Question
    What is the best substrate for leopard geckos?
    FutureHow
    Community Answer
    The best substrate is most likely eco-earth. Eco-earth is a coconut fiber mix which lasts a long time and is easily digested. You can buy it online or at a pet store.
  • Question
    What do geckos like to sleep under?
    FutureHow
    Community Answer
    Leopard geckos like to sleep in a hide. A hide is a hollow cave. You can buy these online or at a pet shop.
  • Question
    How to tell if my gecko is male or female
    Community Answer
    Males have a V shape under their tails and near their stomachs. Females do not have Vs.
  • Question
    With my lighting schedule, I turn the daylight light on an leave it all day and once it hits about 9 or 10 i turn on the night one. Am I using the right method with the lights or..?
    Community Answer
    Yes, that lighting schedule should be fine. I have mine on a similar schedule.
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