Unlike most gecko species, leopard geckos have eyelids that enable them to sleep with their eyes closed. However, these creatures have an instinctive habit of sleeping with one of their eyes open. It’s a survival tactic that allows them to stay alert or peep when they hear any disturbance.
How Do Leopard Geckos Sleep?
Being nocturnal, leopard geckos get active when the sun sets. This means that they enjoy sleeping during the day. When these lizards want to sleep, they retreat into a hiding spot where they feel safe and protected.
In the hiding spot, they’ll drop their body to the floor, relax and close their eyes to sleep. Leopards have eyelids that allow them to close their eyes and keep them lubricated as they sleep.
Since they have eyelids to cover their eyes, there’s no need to open their eyes when they sleep unless something is getting them alarmed or they’re suffering from an unusual condition.
It’s crucial to note that when sleeping, leopard geckos enter into a state of torpor where they slow their body temperature and metabolism. This helps them to relax and enjoy a peaceful moment without using energy.
Why Do Leopard Geckos Sleep with Eyes Closed?
According to various publications, there are over 1500 gecko species worldwide. Surprisingly, of all these species, only 18 of these gecko species have eyelids. Interestingly, leopard geckos are one of the 18 gecko species with eyelids, and that’s why they can sleep with their eyes closed
When the eyelids are shut, they keep off dirt and debris from getting into the eyes and ensure the eyes stay moist at all times. Conversely, since leopard geckos usually sleep during the day, closing their eyes helps keep the light out.
However, this doesn’t mean that these creatures can sleep in the full glare of light. They always look for hidden and dark places to hide when they want to slumber.
All eighteen gecko species with eyelids belong to the Eblepharidae subfamily. And interestingly, having eyelids is not the only common feature that members of this subfamily have; they also don’t have adhesive lamella on their feet.
This explains why they can’t climb vertical surfaces and usually spend most of their time on the ground.
How To Know That Your Leopard Gecko is Sleeping?
The first sign that your lizard is in deep slumber is obviously shut eyes. But since there are leopard geckos that sleep with one eye open, this won’t cut it. As mentioned earlier, leopard geckos don’t sleep in plain sight. Therefore, another sign is that they’ll retreat into dark and hidden places to retire to bed.
Additionally, these lizards slow down their metabolism and become partially inactive. This means that they won’t respond if you touch them gently. It will take much effort to wake them up.
Another surprising thing about leopard geckos is that they can sleep on their stomachs or sides. However, they keep their legs close to their bodies when sleeping. They don’t extend their limbs out when sleeping like most animals. More importantly, you’ll never find a leopard gecko sleeping while standing.
Do Geckos Without Eyelids Sleep?
Some gecko species without eyelids include Tokay geckos, day geckos, and house geckos. But if you may ask, do these geckos sleep, and how do they do it without eyelids? Naturally, all geckos need to rest after a certain period.
One unique thing about geckos without eyelids is that a clear scale covers their eyes. Like the scales on the rest of the body, the scale covering the eyes needs to be shed and cleaned regularly.
These gecko species keep licking their eyes to get the dirt out of their eyes and remove stuck scales.
When these creatures sleep, they constrict their pupils as much as possible. But since they don’t have eyelids, their eyes will remain open even when they are dead asleep.
However, another outstanding feature about these geckos is that their eyes have cryptic colors that help them camouflage when threatened by predators.
Is It Normal for Leopard Geckos to Sleep with One Eye Open?
Sleeping with one eye open is an instinctual reaction displayed by leopard geckos when there’s noise or any other form of disturbance. Therefore, sleeping with one eye open isn’t something that leopard gecko keepers should worry about.
Others believe that leopard geckos open one eye to stay alert and be aware of their surroundings to take flight if they perceive any danger.
Another possible reason for sleeping with one eye open is the presence of stuck skin around the eye region. No matter the reason, this behavior shouldn’t be worrying as long as it doesn’t go on for several days.
What If Your Leopard Gecko Doesn’t Get Enough Sleep?
Like other animals, lack of enough sleep may cause leopard geckos some negative changes. Sleep deprivation can lead to behaviors such as:
- Loss of appetite
- Aggressiveness and irritability
- Lethargy
- Loss of interest
- Frequent hiding
- Decreased immunity
My Leopard Gecko Stays Awake All Day Long. Should I Be Worried?
As a norm, leopard geckos sleep during the day and stay active through the night. Therefore, if it keeps loitering and moving up and down instead of sleeping, there must be a reason.
4 Reasons Why Leopard Geckos Stay Awake During The Day:
1. Being in a New Environment
When leopard geckos are in unfamiliar territory, they tend to be anxious and uncomfortable. The same happens when these lizards are introduced to a new owner or cage mate. Leopard geckos stay awake to explore and familiarize themselves with their new environment.
However, keepers shouldn’t worry too much about their leopard geckos staying awake in a new environment.
It’ll take them a few days to explore and get accustomed to the surroundings. Something else is amiss if your leopard gecko stays awake for more than a week.
2. Lack of Hideouts
As we have mentioned countless times, leopard geckos need to hide in a dark place to sleep. If the tank setup doesn’t offer places where they can hide and slumber, they might stay all day long without sleep.
If you want your lizard to enjoy some relaxing sleep, ensure that you have placed enough hides in the cage where the animal can escape and retire to bed.
Usually, the hide should have an entry and exit. More importantly, logs with hiding places can make ideal places for leopard geckos to sleep.
3. Excess Light in the Tank
Although light is essential for the health and wellness of your lizard, it’s crucial to understand that too much of it can interfere with your leopard gecko’s sleeping cycle.
Using light bulbs that send bright light rays into the hiding spots will make it difficult for these scaly friends to sleep.
Excess lighting will alter the sleep-wake cycle, causing your gecko to move sluggishly around the cage during the day.
So, to ensure that your leopard gecko gets enough sleep during the day, provide adequate but not too much light in its vivarium. Conversely, make sure that the tank has adequate temperatures.
4. Noise Disturbance
Besides their spotted skin which is likened to their namesake, leopard geckos also boast one of the best hearing abilities. Their sharp hearing capabilities allow them to recognize predators’ sounds and scamper to safety.
Because of the enhanced hearing capacity, these lizards will be disturbed by the slightest noise or sound. As such, they should be housed in places that don’t have noise disturbances. Noise pollution can keep leopard geckos awake during the day for hours.
Noise can elevate the lizards’ stress levels and make them agitated. If weird sounds deprive these lizards of sleep, you’re likely to see them walking around the enclosure, trying to locate where the noise is coming from.
FAQs about Leopard Gecko Sleeping Habits
Do Leopard Geckos Sleep with Eyes Closed?
Leopard geckos are lucky enough to be among the few gecko species with eyelids. This means they always shut their eyes when sleeping. However, don’t be surprised if your cute gecko sleeps with one eye open!
Why Does My Leopard Keep Staring at Me at Night?
Leopard geckos are nocturnal creatures, meaning they sleep during the day and stay active at night. If they already recognize you, they definitely stare when they hear you approaching their cage at night.
Should I Wake My Leopard During the Day to Bond With It?
No, you shouldn’t make this a habit, as your reptile friend will grow to hate you for disturbing their sleep. Your lizard usually enjoys sleeping during the day and is active at dusk. Therefore, if you want to handle them regularly, wake them in the evening.
Wrap Up
Typically, leopard geckos go to sleep with their eyes closed. And since they are nocturnal, much of the sleeping happens during the day. These creatures look for dark, hidden places to sleep inside the enclosure.
However, because of predation in their natural habitat, leopard geckos have a sharp hearing sense that allows them to recognize the slightest sound. They usually open one eye when they detect any movement or hear noise disturbance.