Leopard geckos are ground animals, so you should use a glass tank so the leopard cannot climb up the walls of the tank. You should not use a wire or mesh cage for your gecko, as wire cages will not hold heat very well, are easy for your gecko to escape from, and your gecko can get injured if his foot or toe gets caught in the wire. [2] X Research source

A single adult Leopard gecko will need a 10 gallon tank (20 gallons would be better), two geckos will need a 15–20 gallon (56. 8–75. 7 L) tank and three geckos will need a 20–30 gallon (75. 7–114 L) tank. Up to three Leopard geckos can be kept in the same cage, though they should be of a similar size and males should be kept alone. Only females who are similar in size can be housed together, and even then they may fight. Keep an extra tank incase they fight.

Avoid plastic, glass, or any other lid of solid materials. Solid lids can cause the temperature of the tank to rise to unsafe levels for your gecko.

Use an under-tank heater on the bottom of the warm side. It should be a third of the area of the bottom. A lamp should only be used if the heat mat doesn’t have enough heat alone. Leopard geckos are not basking lizards and get their heat from their belly to help them to digest food. Basking rocks should never be used. A UVB light because these geckos are crepuscular (active during dawn and dusk). However, UV can be beneficial as leis cannot overdose on d3 they get from it. It can take the place if a d3 supplement. A light is only needed if there’s no window or other light sources in the room. In the daytime, the cool side should have an ambient temperature of 80 °F (27 °C) and the warm side should be about 90 °F (32 °C). In the nighttime, the temperature should be around 80 °F (27 °C) on both sides of the tank.

Tiles and flat stones are cheap, conduct heat well, are nice to look at, easy to clean, and do not pose a health risk to your gecko. A thin layer of sand or Eco Earth should be under and between the tiles. The tile must be textured so the Leo has no trouble walking on it. Can get tiles and flat stones from your local pet store. This substrate is also permanent. You can also use newspaper, butcher paper, or shelf lining as substrate in the tank. A paper-based substrate is easy to maintain and easy to replace. This will make cleaning the tank very quick, as you often need to only replace the paper substrate. However, insects can get underneath it. Some owners and vets recommend using reptile carpet, which is specially designed for reptile tanks. It looks nice in the tank and does not pose a health risk to your gecko. You can find it at your local pet store. The claws and teeth of your gecko may get caught, though. Insects can get underneath this as well.

Place the warm hide on the warm side of the tank. Your gecko will use this hide to digest his food and warm up when he feels cold. Place the cool hide on the cool side of the tank. Your gecko will use this hide to regulate his body temperature when he feels too hot and needs to cool down.

You can make a moist retreat out of a small plastic container that is sandwich sized. You will need to mist the husk or moss daily with a spray bottle of water so it remains moist, but not wet. You can also buy pre-made moist retreats at your local pet store.

Do not get a water bowl that is too deep, as your gecko could have difficulty accessing the water in a deep water bowl and it can pose a drowning hazard. Make sure the water bowl is big enough for your gecko to bathe in.

You can also add rocks or small sticks and logs in the tank to give your gecko spots to perch or climb on. Always clean any rocks or sticks to remove dirt and bacteria before putting them in the tank. You should also smooth any sharp corners or sides on the rock so your gecko does not injure himself. Make sure you secure the decor in your tank so nothing will fall off and injure your gecko. [11] X Expert Source Audra BarriosMarine Biologist & Reptile Specialist Expert Interview. 18 August 2020. You should also strip the sticks of their bark to get rid of any bacteria or parasites. You can place the sticks or wood in the oven on low heat for 20-30 minutes to kill any parasites on them before putting them in your gecko’s tank. You may want to put paper towel in the washroom corner and if you do change it whenever it is used.