Are Leopard Geckos Venomous? Life Stages of a Gecko – 7 Things to know!

Leopard geckos are one of the most adorable little reptiles that have ever existed.

They have an uncanny ability to appear to be smiling at all times, they are durable and forgiving to those new to reptile ownership, and they require little care.

Many reptile enthusiasts advocate leopard geckos as a first-time reptile pet due to their ability to tolerate environmental flaws.

However, if you’ve recently brought your new lizard companion home, you may be wondering what the stages of a leopard gecko’s life cycle are.

The Life Cycle of a Leopard Gecko

Leopard geckos, like the majority of reptiles, have three distinct life cycles. These are referred to as the hatchling or baby, juvenile, and adult cycles. Leopard gecko experts would advise you that a simple technique to determine the age of your leopard gecko is to weigh it.

Life Stages of the Leopard Gecko

Leopard geckos, like all animals, develop from a baby to an adult.

When you’re familiar with them, you can determine which life cycle they’re in simply by looking at them, but for the most part, weighing them will provide a more accurate assessment.

Gecko Baby or Hatchling

Until a leopard gecko weighs 3 grams or just less than an ounce, it is termed a baby or hatchling! When your leopard gecko is a baby, it will likely eat less and sleep more.

However, these small reptiles enjoy sleeping. If you notice that your adult leopard gecko sleeps a lot, there is probably nothing to worry about.

Baby leopard geckos are frequently available at local pet and agricultural supply stores for a reasonable price.

You can either ask the personnel there what stage of life the gecko you wish to purchase is now in, or you can have it weighed to be certain.

Bear in mind that geckos are not canines. Many people prefer puppies to adult dogs, despite the fact that both are wonderful.

Geckos live a long time, so don’t be discouraged if the store only sells adolescent and adult geckos.

Juvenile Leopard geckos

Consider a juvenile leopard gecko as an adolescent. Your small gecko should grow quite a bit at this period of development, weighing between less than an ounce and about two ounces.

Leopard geckos remain relatively weightless throughout their life, although the juvenile period is when you’ll observe the most growth.

Within a short period of time, often around three months, your gecko will transition from a baby to a young adult.

Your gecko will continue to sleep a lot throughout the juvenile stage, but they will also begin eating more. A developing gecko requires more food, therefore increasing the daily intake of mealworms or crickets.

Adult Geckos

Adult geckos range in weight from two to four ounces, depending on their length and natural size. If fed excessively, geckos can become overweight.

You can determine whether or not your gecko is overweight by examining its body for excess fat. They are often little reptiles, and a quick glance will reveal whether they are overweight.

Geckos that are adults sleep during the day and forage for food and prowl around their tanks at night.

Please ensure that your leopard gecko has enough enrichment throughout its life, including ladders, rocks, imitation plants, and vines.

When your leopard gecko weighs 2 ounces or reaches the age of 12 months, it is considered an adult.

Leopard geckos typically continue to grow until they reach the age of 18 months, at which point they slow significantly or cease entirely.

Brumation and Shedding Geckos

Leopard geckos frequently lose their skin on a daily basis during their first few days of life and then every four to six weeks as they age.

Your gecko may engage in brumation, a process comparable to hibernation.

When the weather cools, wild geckos brumate, so if your gecko stops eating at the same rate, sleeps a lot, and even hides for a few weeks at a period, he may be brumating.

This is not caused for fear until he becomes ill or completely stops eating.

Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Life Stages of the Leopard Gecko

Are leopard geckos venomous?

To begin, leopard geckos are capable of biting, but they do it infrequently. If an adult leopard gecko bites you, you may feel a pinch or a little sting.

Baby geckos are unlikely to cause much discomfort if they bite you. Leopard geckos rarely draw blood, and a visit to the veterinarian is unnecessary.

How can I determine the weight of my leopard gecko?

Given that knowing your gecko’s weight is an excellent indicator of age, you’ll probably want to weigh it at home. A food scale is ideal for this task.

What should I do if the weight of my leopard gecko is incorrect?

If the weight of your leopard gecko does not correspond to its age, it may be underweight or overweight. While you can probably tell by looking at it, it’s always a good idea to consult your veterinarian, as they can steer you on the correct path and suggest solutions.

Leopard geckos have a lifespan of about ten years.

Leopard geckos live an average of 15 years in the wild. When they become pets, their survival window expands to between 6 and 20 years.