Leopard gecko enclosure size and setup

Leopard gecko at a glance

Minimum enclosure

36 × 18 × 18 inches91 × 46 × 46 cm, about 50 gallons

Warm side

94-97°F

Cool side

70-77°F

Humidity

30-40%

UVB

Zone 1

Group

Geckos

Mostly active at dawn and dusk. Add a humid hide for shedding. Overhead heat (halogen or DHP) beats a heat mat alone.

Common questions

What size enclosure does a leopard gecko need?

At least 36 × 18 × 18 inches (91 × 46 × 46 cm) for one adult, about 50 gallons. Floor space matters more than height for this species. Bigger is always better if you have room.

What temperature should a leopard gecko enclosure be?

Aim for a warm side of 94-97°F and a cool side of 70-77°F, so it can move between the two to control its body temperature. Check with a digital probe thermometer, not a stick-on dial.

What humidity does a leopard gecko need?

30-40%. A digital hygrometer in the middle of the enclosure gives the most useful reading.

Does a leopard gecko need UVB?

Yes, Zone 1, which means low UVB, suited to shade-dwelling and dawn-and-dusk species. Match your bulb and its distance to that level using the maker's chart, and replace it on schedule.

Which common tanks fit an adult leopard gecko?

Of the common sizes, these meet the adult minimum: 75 gallon (48 × 18 × 21 in), 4 × 2 × 2 (120 gallon) (48 × 24 × 24 in), 4 × 2 × 4 tall (48 × 24 × 48 in), 6 × 2 × 2 (72 × 24 × 24 in), 6 × 3 × 4 (72 × 36 × 48 in), 8 × 4 × 4 (96 × 48 × 48 in).

These are common hobbyist guidelines for a healthy adult, based mostly on published species care guides. Babies, sick animals and specific localities can need different setups, so check with a reptile vet for anything serious.

More tools for your leopard gecko

• Substrate
• Bioactive layers
• Running cost
• UVB bulb tracker
• Egg incubation

Other reptiles