Facts about Leopard Gecko
- 08
In captivity, leopard geckos can live 10 to 20 years, with some individuals documented surviving past 25 years when provided proper care and nutrition.
- 07
The leopard gecko's skin secretes lipids that create a waxy coating, reducing water loss to only about 0.5 percent of their body weight daily in desert conditions.
- 06
Infrared heat-sensing pits along the leopard gecko's jaw and lips allow them to detect warm-blooded prey in complete darkness by sensing temperature differences as small as 0.003 degrees Celsius.
- 05
A leopard gecko's lower eyelid contains a specialized membrane called the nictitating membrane that helps keep their eyes moist in arid desert environments.
- 04
During extreme temperature drops, leopard geckos enter a state of brumation lasting 1 to 4 months, during which their metabolic rate can decrease by up to 50 percent.
- 03
Eublepharis macularius reaches sexual maturity between 18 to 24 months of age, with females typically producing clutches of two eggs throughout the breeding season.
- 02
Leopard geckos can detach their tails when threatened, losing up to 60 percent of their body weight in the process but regrowing a replacement within several months.
- 01
Vertical pupils in leopard geckos can dilate to roughly 16 times their resting size, allowing exceptional night vision in their desert habitats.