Unusual Pets: The Leopard Gecko

The natural habitat of the Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius) is the dry grasslands and desert regions of southern Afghanistan, Pakistan, parts of Iran, north west India and Vietnam. However, since it has become in great demand in the pet industry, domestic breeding is taking place in numerous countries around the world.

This nocturnal reptile emerges from under rocks or from dry burrows to hunt for insects at dusk. This Gecko is unique in that it is the only one to have movable eyelids, which helps it to keep its eyes clean in the dusty environment of its natural habitats. In addition, the Leopard Gecko is the only Gecko to have claws on its toes instead of the usual adhesive toe pads that all other Geckos possess. These claws aid the Leopard Gecko in digging insects out of the ground and in digging burrows to shade them from the burning sun.

At birth, the Leopard Gecko has no spots. Instead the body has alternating dark and light yellow bands as shown in photo one above. As the Leopard Gecko ages, these bands fade and by one year of age, the spotted body of an adult appears (see photo two above).

Like most lizards, the Leopard Gecko can release its tail if it is frightened or grabbed by a predator. The detached tail will continue to wiggle and thrash about which distracts the predator, frequently allowing the Leopard Gecko to scamper to freedom. A new tail will grow in about 40 days, however, the new tail is usually shorter and bulbous. It is therefore recommended that owners of Leopard Geckos refrain from grabbing their lizard by the tail as they will probably be left holding a spasmodic appendage.

The Leopard Gecko also uses its tail as a fat storage container. Every time a Gecko eats, it converts some of its food into fat which it stores in its tail. When food is unavailable, the Leopard Gecko uses the stored fat for nutrition, keeping it alive for several weeks. A healthy Leopard Gecko will have a tail that is wider than its neck and almost as long as its body.

Pet Geckos can be housed in aquariums, terrariums or vivariums. Depending on the number of lizards you have, the size of the tank will have to increase. Be careful what you use as a bottom covering. Leopard Geckos frequently miss their prey when they strike and end up with a mouth full of bottom substrate. If they swallow this bottom covering, it could impact in their intestines, frequently with fatal results. This is why many Leopard Gecko owners put newspaper, wrapping paper, paper towels, floor tiles or indoor/outdoor carpet on the bottom of their tanks. Mom and dad use indoor/outdoor carpet for “Sarah” their female Bearded Dragon.

Leopard Geckos should be fed insects such as crickets, meal worms and grasshoppers (from a pesticide free area), although any insect that is smaller in size than the width of your pet's head can be considered. Pinkies (baby mice without fur) can be fed occasionally but they tend to cause your lizard to become fat. However, breeding females can be fed pinkies regularly as it helps them produce healthy eggs. All insects given to your Leopard Gecko should be dusted with vitamin and calcium powder every second feeding for adults and every feeding for juveniles and babies. Feed babies and juveniles every day and adult Leopard Geckos every two or three days. You should also consider gut loading your insects with fruit, vegetables, grains, oats and seeds to ensure that your Gecko gets proper nutrition. Do not leave live insects in your pet's tank after he has finished eating. They could bite the lizard and cause an infection. Your tank should also contain a shallow water dish which should be cleaned daily to prevent algae and mold growth.

Leopard Geckos live about 15 years, although a few will live longer, with the oldest recorded one living to the age of 25 years. Breeding females usually have a shorter lifespan.

Your Leopard Gecko's tank should be equipped with a heat lamp at one end and a cooler area at the other. The heat lamp should be situated so that your lizard cannot come into contact with it as the lizard would be badly burned if contact is made. One area of your tank should have high humidity as this aids your lizard when he sheds his skin, which occurs frequently when he is growing and from one to three times a year when full growth has be attained. If the skin is too dry when shedding begins, the skin sticks to the body, particularly to the legs and toes. It could then restrict the flow of blood to these extremities resulting in loss of these digits.

Your Leopard Gecko will grow to a length of 8 or 9 inches, although some have grown as long as 11 inches. Do not put two male Leopard Geckos in the same tank as they they will fight. Because Leopard Geckos are nocturnal creatures, your tank should have hiding structures in both the cool and hot ends of the tank. These hiding places allow your lizard to sleep in a “safe” place during the day. DO NOT put a “hot rock” in your Leopard Gecko's tank as it could cause your lizard to be badly burned.

Leopard Geckos can be picked up and held, just be sure that you don't pick them up by the head or tail as they will panic. The best way to do it is to slowly slide you hand under the Gecko and slowly lift it up. Leopard Geckos seldom bite unless they are seriously provoked. Try not to move too fast when near your Leopard Gecko's tank so that you don't frighten him. If you would like to have an easy to care for lizard as a pet, then a Leopard Gecko is a great choice.

Until next time,

Teia

Unusual Pets: Cheetahs

Cheetahs have been kept as pets for more than five thousand years and can be traced back to ancient Egypt where they were initially used for hunting.. They originated in Africa, but can now be found in other parts of the world such as Central Asia and Iran. Scientifically known as Acinonyx Jubatus, they are the fastest of all land animals. However, they aren’t good at climbing trees like other cats. Their acceleration rate is phenomenal, as they are capable of reaching a speed of seventy miles per hour within three seconds. (That is faster than most super cars.)

The length of the cheetah’s body is between forty-five and fifty-five inches and their weight ranges from ninety to one hundred and forty pounds. They have an elongated body with a small head and narrow waist, which gives them the aerodynamics needed for quick acceleration and high speed. Cheetahs have semi-retractable blunt claws which help them to get a good grip during fast pursuits. The colour of the cheetah’s coarse fur is tan with small black spots which provides it with some camouflage when hunting. Its tail, which is thirty-three inches long, is encircled with five to six black stripes. This long tail helps it take sharp turns because it acts like a rudder. Black lines which start from its eyes and run along the sides of the nose toward the mouth are called tear marks. These lines enable the Cheetah to see long distances and minimize the glare of the sun.

Cheetahs are very easy to train. They are also very caring animals. They make noises such as chirps, yowls, yips, growls and hisses and their purr is very noisy. Unlike other big cats, they do not have the ability to roar. Cheetahs are diurnal, whereas all other wild cats are nocturnal. They are carnivorous animals and mainly hunt for small mammals. Cheetahs usually hunt at dawn and dusk when the air is cooler. They hunt not by smell but by vision. Nearly 50 percent of their attempts to catch prey end in failure as they give up fast. One of the reasons could be the immense heat generated while running, which seriously fatigues them. As a result, they rest for at least half an hour after an intense chase. Cheetahs have the ability to make the sounds of some birds and they use it to lure these birds to within catching distance.

Cheetahs always watch for animals which stray a distance from the herd. They will chase this animal and trip it. After the animal falls, the Cheetah suffocates the animal by biting out its throat because it does not have the strength to break the animal’s neck. For some reason they do not hunt weak or old animals. During high speed chases, Cheetahs use their big nostrils to get enough oxygen. They also have an enlarged heart and lungs which utilize the oxygen to the maximum by increasing the respiratory rate while running.

Cheetahs are now considered an endangered species. Many organizations and laws have been implemented to help save them. One of the reasons for their demise is that they are environmentally sensitive and their natural environment is disappearing.

When held in captivity, they should be provided with a habitat as close to their natural habitat as possible or else they will not survive. Studies have proven that there is a lack of genetic diversity in Cheetahs which are held in captivity. They don’t reproduce regularly like other felines and find it difficult to breed. Also, their life span decreases and their rate of survival is low.

In developed areas, Cheetahs have been killed on a large scale by farmers protecting their cattle. These farmers are now being provided with dogs that can guard the livestock and scare away the wild Cheetah. Poachers have also been hunting the Cheetah for its fur, which has a beautiful pattern.

To obtain a permit to keep Cheetahs as pets is not only a big problem for individual owners, but also for zoos. People who have a passion for Cheetahs and haven’t got permission to own one, can donate generously to preserve the species.

Until next time,

Teia