Although leopard geckos have been domesticated and bred worldwide for over 30 years, some of their attributes and behaviors are still contentious. Moreover, since these lizards have been evolving rapidly over the years, even the most revered and prominent experts are starting to lose touch with the leopard gecko’s reality.
One specific thing that many leo enthusiasts want to know is whether these creatures are communal. According to various academic sources, leopard geckos in the wild hang out in groups. So don’t be surprised to see these scaly friends in small groups in the wild, yet you have always heard that these creatures are solitary.
However, this is attributed to the fact there are only a few hiding spots with the right temperature in their natural habitat. For this reason, the lizards are inclined to fight for the best hiding spots. Just because leopard geckos live in groups doesn’t mean they are social; they do it for convenience.
Let’s get a comprehensive outlook on whether leopard geckos are communal!
Can Leopard Geckos Live In a Group?
Academic sources claim that leopard geckos in the wild stay in small groups. Additionally, when you visit most big-box pet stores, you usually find leos that are up for sale stacked up in piles in the same cage.
From the two scenarios, it is easy to assume that housing multiple leopard geckos in a single enclosure is typical. However, the truth is leopard geckos are not social beings, and they don’t in any way enjoy living with each other.
In the wild, leos live in groups for convenience and survival. Since there are finite hiding spots with the correct daytime temperature in their natural habitat, leos stay in groups to enjoy the best sites. Conversely, it’s not easy for leos to be attacked by predators when they are in a group.
On the other hand, the leopard geckos you find in groups at pet stores are typically just young adults. They are just kept in such conditions because they are on the market for sale.
So, leopard geckos won’t mind living together in the same terrarium. However, they’ll not do this because they feel socially inclined toward each other, and you’ll never find them cuddling or showing affection. So, they’ll live in the same cage as long as they are safe, fully fed, and comfortable.
However, they’ll still face fierce competition for food, space, and territory. Therefore, if you’re thinking of keeping more than one leopard gecko in a cage, there are several things that you need to consider.
Things to Factor If You Are Planning To Keep Leopard Geckos Together
Gender
One of the most integral aspects of cohabitation in leopard geckos is gender. When leos are sexually mature, their gender will determine how well they can coexist. Below are some combinations that might work or not.
· Male/Male
Like most lizards, male leopard geckos are inherently aggressive and territorial. Therefore, it is a bad idea to house them in the same cage.
These lizards will compete for food, space, and even territory. Fights between two males can cause injuries, and it’s not uncommon for the battle to end with one of the geckos losing its tail or having bite injuries.
· Male/Female
Housing a male and a female gecko is a possible combination. However, mature female and male geckos should only be kept together if you want to breed them. They’ll mate and produce baby geckos if you house them in the same cage.
· Female/Female
This is the perfect combination if you’re planning on keeping more than one leopard gecko in the same terrarium. Naturally, female geckos are calm and less aggressive than the male species. Additionally, they’re not territorial, and it’s rare to find them fighting.
While they might compete for food and water, they usually develop a hierarchy that allows them to live without challenges. Therefore, if you think of having more than one gecko in a cage, the best combination is for females to live with other females.
Size of the Enclosure or the Tank
If you plan to house two or more leopard geckos in the same enclosure, the minimum size of the tank should be at least 30 gallons. Both geckos will require a warm and cool hiding spot, and your aquarium will rapidly become overcrowded.
When harboring several leopard geckos, the larger the enclosure, the better. You should allow them space to stretch out and establish their region and territory.
However, don’t forget that bigger tanks will need more heat. You’ll also need a hot and cool side, with the cool side having a temperature range of 70 degrees Fahrenheit and the hot side an average of 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Average Size of a Leopard Gecko
A more prominent leopard gecko, regardless of gender, may dominate the chain food. This will not only prevent the smaller gecko from growing to its full potential but also give it undue stress. In addition, the dominant gecko may prevent the weaker gecko from accessing food and water and might also bully it.
The Health of a Leopard Gecko
If you have several leopard geckos living in the same area but figure out that one of them gets sick, you should put the sick lizard in a separate room for several reasons.
First, you must prevent the disease from spreading to other geckos. It is best to isolate your ill gecko from the others so that the healthy geckos don’t get infected.
Secondly, the principle of competition dictates that the strongest geckos will always take advantage of the sick geckos. So, healthy geckos have a better chance of controlling the food supply, while sick geckos will not have the strength necessary to do so.
Final Verdict
A pet owner is the only person who profits from housing multiple geckos in one cage. But since the primary goal of having a pet is to provide it with the best life possible, you should try to house leopard geckos independently as much as possible.
However, if you don’t have the space and can only afford to keep leopard geckos together, you should follow the following tips:
- Don’t put a male gecko with another male
- Please don’t place an adult male gecko with a female gecko unless you want to breed them
- Place females with other females
- Ensure that the geckos you put in the same cage are of the same size
- Don’t place sick geckos with healthy ones.