Banded geckos and leopard geckos differ in their ancestral origins, physical appearance, body size, diet, behavior and temperament, the nature of their tails, and artificial habitat requirements.
While banded geckos have unique banding patterns, leopard geckos have a spotted or speckled pattern akin to a leopard’s coat. Banded geckos are chiefly insectivores, so they feed on bugs such as crickets and other insects. In contrast, leopard geckos are omnivores that eat insects such as crickets and roaches, mealworms, and soft plant foods like leafy greens, fresh veggies, and fruits. Further, banded geckos are arboreal (they dwell on trees), whereas leopard geckos are terrestrial reptiles, so they live on the ground.
9 Obvious Differences between Banded Geckos and Leopard Geckos
Leopard geckos and banded geckos have the following distinctions:
1. Native Origins
Leopard geckos are native to the arid regions and deserts of Afghanistan, Iran, and Northern India. Since they’re terrestrial, leopard geckos feature numerous adaptations to help them survive the harsh, hot, and dry grounds.
On the other hand, banded geckos originated from Madagascar and the surrounding Indian Ocean islands, where they exploit different habitats, including deciduous forests, rainforests, and dry scrublands.
Since they’re arboreal, banded geckos are uniquely adapted to climbing and living in vertical environments.
2. Physical Appearance
The physical attributes of leopard geckos and banded geckos differ in many ways, such as:
Coat Design
Banded geckos have distinctive brown, red, orange, or yellow bands or stripes running vertically along their body. The bands are typically narrower than the lizards’ width and are often used to identify banded geckos.
In contrast, leopard geckos have brown or yellow speckles or blotches on their bodies, resulting in a leopard-like coat. However, some Leos have brown spots on a cream or white body like some leopards.
Unlike the bands or stripes on a banded dragon’s body, the spots on a leopard gecko’s body often have different shapes depending on the lizard’s species and morph.
Moreover, the marks can be small, tight-spaced, or more prominent, thus more distinctive.
Head Shape
Banded geckos and leopard geckos have uniquely-designed heads in line with the lizards’ habitat and lifestyle adaptations.
Banded geckos’ heads are slender with pointed snouts, adaptations that help the arboreal lizards to maneuver easily through the leaves and branches of trees.
Quite the opposite, leopard geckos have broader and more rounded heads and snouts than banded geckos.
Apart from enabling the Leo to explore better its terrestrial habitats, the lizard’s broad and round head and snout host sensory organs like the nose and eyes, which amass vital information relating to the lizard’s environment.
Eyes
Leopard geckos’ eyes are small, almond-shaped, set close together, giving the Leo 3D binocular vision without tilting their heads. Besides aiding in hunting, leopard gecko eyes are built to enable the lizard better navigate its environment.
Unlike their Leo cousins, banded geckos have large, round eyes set far apart, offering the lizards a broader field of vision to evade predators better.
3. Body Size
Leopard geckos are naturally bigger than banded geckos. Leos often grow to average lengths of 10-12 inches, although they sometimes reach 14 inches.
On the other hand, banded geckos grow to average lengths of 8-10 inches, with some superseding this length to reach 11 inches.
The variation in the sizes of these lizards contributes to differences in their housing and pet care needs, such as the size of the terrarium required.
Leopard geckos typically require more spacious tanks to thrive in captivity. An adult Leo thrives best in a vivarium of at least 20 gallons, whereas an adult banded gecko needs a 10-gallon tank.
4. Artificial Habitat Requirements
Leopard geckos are terrestrial lizards (they live on the ground). Therefore, pet Leos require a tank with a solid floor and an appropriate substrate to thrive in captivity.
Additionally, a leopard gecko’s terrarium should have sufficient hides for the pet to retreat to for effective thermoregulation, brumation, or escape from perceived enemies.
Moreover, an ideal Leo’s enclosure contains various platforms and furnishing such as hammocks, rocks, non-venomous and appropriately-sized plants, and caves to quench the pet’s thirst for exploration.
In contrast, banded geckos are arboreal (tree-dwellers). In captivity, banded geckos thrive in a terrarium with numerous vertical climbing platforms, including live non-poisonous plants, branches, and a screen top.
In addition, banded geckos need a good number of hiding places to retreat to when it’s too hot or frightening in or around their enclosure.
And that’s not all: Banded geckos and leopard geckos also differ in the optimal terrarium measurements. For instance, a 20-gallon banded dragon tank should have a floor space of approximately 18 inches by 9 inches.
Contrarily, a 30-gallon leopard geckos terrarium should be designed with 24 inches by 12 inches floor area. Furthermore, ensure each tank has top-shelf ventilation to keep your pet healthy, comfortable, and happy.
Beyond the terrarium’s overall size and floor area, the habits of banded geckos and leopard geckos differ in a few other ways that, include:
Heating Requirements
Leopard geckos typically thrive in slightly warmer temperatures than banded dragons. Thus, Leos usually enjoy basking temperatures averaging 90 – 95°F, whereas banded geckos prefer basking temperatures between 80 – 90°F.
Regardless, both lizards need a temperature gradient to regulate their body temperatures better.
Lighting Needs
Both lizards need sufficient UVB radiation to synthesize vitamin D3 which fosters efficient calcium uptake for healthy growth and living. However, banded geckos typically need 12-14 hours of UVB exposure daily, while leopard geckos require only 8-12 hours.
5. Diet
Banded geckos are chiefly insectivores, so they only feed on bugs like crickets, roaches, fruit flies, and various worms such as wax and mealworms. In captivity, banded geckos require essential mineral supplementation, particularly calcium, via dusting or gut-loading the live feeder insects a few hours before feeding.
On the contrary, leopard geckos are omnivores, so they feed on a variety of prey and bugs like their banded cousins, but they also eat leafy greens, fruits, and vegetables. A balanced diet for a pet leopard gecko consists of protein and plant foods to support the lizard’s growth and overall health.
The variations in the diet requirements of banded geckos and Leos impact the amount and type of food the lizards require and determine the best feeding schedule.
6. Nature of the Tail
The tails of Leos and banded geckos differ structurally and in appearance due to their varying habitat and lifestyle adaptations.
Leopard geckos’ tails are fatty and sturdy and often store surplus fat, which the body metabolizes in food scarcity or high-energy processes such as reproduction to release energy.
On the other hand, banded geckos have thin tails that naturally break off when the lizards are extremely frightened, a process scientists call autonomy. The tail-dropping is a natural adaptation for the lizard to evade predation. Fortunately, the tail regrows over time, although it doesn’t revert to its initial size and shape.
7. General Temperament
Leopard geckos are naturally docile, thus typically more manageable and easier to handle than banded geckos. On the contrary, banded geckos are jumpier, therefore, more challenging to care for and handle than Leos.
Moreover, banded geckos are naturally more guarded and nervous, so they’re susceptible to biting when agitated. Additionally, banded geckos are prone to autonomy (tail-loss) when terrified.
8. Life Expectancy
Leopard geckos have a higher life expectancy than banded geckos under similar conditions. Leos can live for 15-20 years, unlike their cousins, that can only clock 10-15 years.
Then again, the lifespan of pet banded geckos and leopard geckos varies depending on the pet’s genetics, environmental factors, and the level of pet care you provide.
Overall, keeping these pet lizards in suitable vivariums and surroundings, feeding them sufficient amounts of balanced diets, and providing top-shelf pet care and veterinary services can extend the lifespan of banded geckos and leopard geckos.
9. Pet Availability and Cost
Leopard geckos are relatively more common, thus, easier to find than banded geckos. Hence, rare species and morphs of these pet lizards typically have higher purchase points.
Recap
Banded geckos and leopard geckos are fascinating pet reptile choices for any reptile pet lover keen to own, care for, and bond with a household reptile buddy.
Despite having many resemblances, banded geckos and leopard geckos contrast in their temperament, ancestral origins, general body size and other physical attributes, housing (habitat) requirements, diet needs, the nature of their tails, and life expectancy.
Despite their sharp contrasts, leopard geckos and banded geckos offer their owner or handler captivating companionship. Moreover, they are low-maintenance pets, thus suitable for beginner reptile pet enthusiasts and pros alike.
