Leopard Gecko
The leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) is a spotted, ground-dwelling gecko of the dry rocky regions of Pakistan, Afghanistan and India, and one of the most popular pet reptiles in the world.
The leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) is a spotted, ground-dwelling gecko of the dry rocky regions of Pakistan, Afghanistan and India, and one of the most popular pet reptiles in the world.
🧬 Field Guide Specimen: Open Leopard Gecko in the CRV Science Field Guide to log the specimen, see its place among the Reptilia lineages in the Cladogram Explorer, and test your recall in the Red List conservation game.
A Gecko Without Sticky Toes
Unlike most geckos, leopard geckos do not have adhesive toe pads and cannot climb glass. They also have movable eyelids, which most geckos lack. They belong to the family Eublepharidae, the eyelid geckos.
Fat Tail and Regrowth
The thick tail stores fat for lean times and can be shed to distract a predator. The regrown tail is shorter and blunter, with a different texture.
Temperature and Sex
The sex of hatchlings depends on incubation temperature. Many colors and patterns (morphs) have been bred in captivity. See Green Sea Turtle.
Leopard Gecko at a Glance
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Eublepharis macularius |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Reptilia |
| Order | Squamata |
| Family | Eublepharidae |
| Field Guide group | Reptilia (Reptiles) |
| Diagnostic feature (Field Guide) | Yellow, black-spotted desert lizard with movable eyelids and a fat-storing tail; lacks sticky toe pads. |
| IUCN Red List status | Least Concern (LC) |
| Family | Eublepharidae |
| Sex determination | Temperature-dependent |